Supervising Safety Officer (HR - Risk Management Operations)

City of Detroit; Michigan; On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Detroit's Human Resources Department - Risk Management Division seeks a Supervising Safety Officer to lead safety staff, conduct on-site surveys, investigate incidents, and develop corrective actions to reduce hazards.

You will coordinate with state and federal safety agencies, plan training programs, and report findings to leadership while ensuring compliance with OSHA and workers’ compensation provisions.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or G.E.D. required.
• Two years of college with courses in safety standards and practices.
• Two years of experience planning and conducting safety programs across varied exposures.
• Two years in a supervisory capacity over safety functions.

Responsibilities

• Supervise subordinate safety personnel.
• Investigate accidents and review reports to identify causes and high-risk areas.
• Develop methods to reduce accidents and collaborate with engineers to eliminate hazards.
• Conduct on-site surveys and inspections for unsafe conditions.
• Prepare survey reports and recommend corrective actions.
• Liaise with state safety compliance officers.
• Coordinate training programs related to employee safety.
• Consult with division heads and union reps to ensure program effectiveness.
• Recommend safety equipment purchases.
• Maintain records of safety violations and workers’ compensation cases.
• Communicate with physicians and injured employees regarding treatment and prognosis.

Skills

Hazard knowledge

OS&H Acts knowledge

Workers' comp knowledge

Accident reporting

Interpersonal communication

Safety training

Safety program development

Computer skills

Education

High school graduation or G.E.D.

Two years of college in occupational safety

Job description

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT - RISK MANAGEMENT DIVISION SUPERVISING SAFETY OFFICER

• Supervise subordinate safety personnel.
• Investigate accidents and review accident reports to ascertain facts, to identify and eliminate causes and to determine high-risk areas.
• Develop methods of reducing accidents and determine with engineering and health authorities how potential and existing hazards can be eliminated.
• Conduct routine on-site surveys and inspections as well as special investigations of work operations and premises for unsafe conditions and work habits.
• Prepare reports of survey findings and recommend corrective action to eliminate unsafe conditions and practices.
• Serve as a liaison with state safety compliance officers.
• Perform follow-up investigations to determine if safety violations have been eliminated.
• Determine departmental need for specialized training programs related to employee safety. Plan, schedule and/or conduct such programs.
• Confer with division heads, subordinate supervisors and union representatives in securing employee support of objectives and to ensure effectiveness of the safety programs.
• Recommend purchase of safety equipment.
• Compile statistics, prepare reports on and maintain records of safety violations, job injuries and workers’ compensation cases.
• Contact attending physicians and injured employees regarding medical treatment, prognosis, and progress to prevent abuse of workers’ compensation and sick leave provisions.
• Confer with and submits reports and recommendations to superiors, Human Resources, Risk Management and Law Department staff on workers’ compensation claims.
• Testify in disputed workers’ compensation cases.
• Instruct and train staff on requirements, policies and procedures.
• Perform duties in accordance with departmental safety procedures including, but not limited to, the utilization of designated personal protective equipment.

Qualifications (required)

• High school graduation or G.E.D.
• Knowledge equivalent to two (2) years of college with course work in occupational safety standards and practices.
• Two (2) years of experience in planning and conducting successful occupational safety programs covering a wide variety of occupations and exposures to hazardous work environments.
• Two (2) years, which has been in a supervisory capacity over safety function.

Qualifications (preferred)

• Preferably, Certifications in a discipline related to occupational safety.

Licenses, Certifications, and other Special Requirements

• Valid State of Michigan Driver License. Employees in this class will be required to provide and operate a motor vehicle on a reimbursed mileage basis.

Equivalency

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be substituted to meet the education and experience requirement of this position.

Evaluation Plan

• Writing Sample: P/F
• Interview: 50%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 50%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

LRD: 09/28/2026

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of common hazards encountered in various occupations and industries.
• Knowledge of preventive and corrective safety measures.
• Knowledge of provisions of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Acts.
• Knowledge of Michigan Workers’ Compensation Law.
• Knowledge of standard accident reporting and exposure evaluation protocols.
• Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing word processing, spread sheet, database, and presentation software.
• Skill in interpersonal communication necessary to obtain information and cooperation in sensitive and probing contacts.
• Ability to teach safety practices.
• Ability to determine effective and economical means of reducing accidents.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with employees, union representatives, other safety personnel and outside agencies.

Physical Demands

• The employee generally remains in a stationary position for an extended period of time operating standard office equipment which may include computers, telephones, photocopiers, and fax machines.
• The employee is expected to move about to accomplish tasks such as opening file cabinets and moving files.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry up to (20) pounds.

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment.
• Some work requires travel to meetings, conferences, and other work sites with exposure to seasonal weather conditions.
• Work may also involve exposure to regulated substances requiring the utilization of personal protective equipment, noise from machinery, outdoor elements and confined spaces.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. The City of Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No applicant for employment shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other criteria prohibited by City, State, or Federal law.