JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Human Resources Director/Risk Manager, the Safety Officer performs professional risk related duties focused on safety and loss prevention activities for the City’s worker’s compensation, general liability, automobile liability and property damage claims prevention and response mitigation. The purpose of this classification is to identify, analyze, develop and improve areas of risk and risk control by implementing policies, procedures and providing appropriate training and education to positively affect personnel safety and municipal liability.  Responsibilities include recommending and implementing methods to eliminate, control or minimize risk; evaluating, writing, recommending and implementing safety directives; performing technical, administrative and advisory review and input to control City losses and adverse effects of accidents to persons and property through Root Cause analyses’.  Develops and implements occupational safety programs for the entire City workforce. Work involves providing safety training; investigating incidents/accidents; conducting root cause analyses, establishing and enforcing safety policies and procedures; inspecting work sites and equipment for compliance with safety standards; performing audits and investigations of losses and loss potentials; assisting departments with interpretation of various federal, state and local safety regulations; and preparing and maintaining safety related records, reports, and documentation. Liaison with the Broker and Insurance providers; submits claims to carriers, reviews contracts for insurance coverage needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Assists in the administration of the City’s Drug-Free Work Place Policy coordinating post-accident, random, and reasonable suspicion testing, follow-up programs, and reporting requirements
• Responsible for the coordination of the City's safety and loss prevention programs
• Identifies and evaluates potential risks, recommends solutions for reducing risk, creates Loss Run reports and performs trend analyses
• Develops and monitors the implementation and effectiveness of policies, procedures and work guidelines that affect both employee safety and the safety of the public
• Works closely with our Insurance Brokers and Carriers in interpreting risk insurance policies, City policies and Codes, procedures and regulations to provide guidance, consultation and assistance to both management and other City departments and employees on various risk matters such as safety programs, workers’ compensation, procurement contracts and other liability issues
• Ensures the City is compliant with Federal, State, and local safety regulations
• Reviews and overhauls existing safety manuals, policies, procedures and work guidelines to ensure compliance and effectiveness in preventing accidents, unsafe conditions, and/or work practices and methods for the entire City including broad HR policies as well as Departmental policies and safety protocols
• Provides assistance in the modification and purchases of personal safety equipment
• Keeps up to date on safety laws and policies and informs management of new regulations, their requirements, and impact on City operations
• Conducts regular inspections of City facilities to ensure compliance with governmental regulations and acceptable safety standards
• Works with the Labor Administrator closely on returning employees to work after accident/injury, fitness for duty and accommodation requests
• Reviews all accident/injury reports and provides root cause analysis and recommendations; investigates accidents, injuries, worker's compensation, and liability claims
• Spearheads with the development of requests for proposals (RFP’s) and makes recommendations and reviews/monitors contracts to ensure appropriate coverages and requirements are met
• Develops and conducts training programs, policies and procedures required to comply with governmental regulations, safe work methods, and proper use of tools and equipment to mitigate and/or minimize risks thereby reducing insurance costs and costs of claims 
• Makes recommendations for corrective action to eliminate or reduce conditions that are not in compliance or may result in accidents or injuries to City employees or the public
• Recommends corrective action to eliminate the hazardous conditions or act that was responsible for accidents, injuries, and/or claims
• Develops accident prevention and loss control methods, procedures, and programs
• Formulates policies with regard to the citywide safety program, ADA regulations, and HIPPA compliance which are applicable to all City employees
• Assists with the processing of claims and communicates with claims adjusters and attorneys, preparing and producing any requested documents and staying abreast of the status of all claims in conjunction with the Risk Analysts 
• Assists with the processing of payments relating to property and vehicle repairs, deductibles, premiums or related expenditures 
• Keeps current on changes in insurance and benefit environment, as well as laws pertaining to liability and workers compensation 
• Meets with other City departments and senior management to address safety and risk concerns and insurance and liability concerns 
• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers
• Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation
• Performs related work as required

NOTE: During an emergency situation, this position is considered essential and may be assigned as an active member of the City’s Emergency Response Team subject to being called into work in the event of a pending disaster such as a hurricane or other emergency situations and is expected to perform service duties as assigned.