Safety Director

Position will report to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Safety Program Manager and will manage a multifaceted safety and fire protection program for Caswell Developmental Center that complies with all federal, state and agency regulations. Duties will focus on providing a safe and healthful environment for all employees, residents, and visitors within the facility. The position advises and assists management in the development and implementation of safety and occupational health policies.

The position serves as the principal technical advisor and subject matter expert to management at the facility for the development, implementation and enforcement of safety, and fire prevention policies.  Position will conduct specialized training for employees as mandated by DHHS and other State, federal and private agencies such as OSHA, EPA/DEQ, NFPA, Joint Commission and CMS etc., and will interface with the workers’ compensation program in areas of accident investigations and accident prevention. The position conducts inspections of all work areas of the facility to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations. Regulations include but are not limited to: walking-working surfaces, powered platforms, man lifts, hazardous materials and substances, personal protective equipment, control of hazardous energy, permit required confined spaces, materials handling and storage, machinery and machine guarding, hand and portable powered tools, welding, cutting and brazing, electrical and removal of lead based paint, maintenance and abatement of asbestos containing materials.

Position will communicate and coordinate corrective action with facility management and the Safety Programs Manager regarding those programs. The position will conduct safety committee meetings and advises committee members on the number and causes of accidents and unsafe working conditions and/or practices. Position will recommend policy and procedure changes to eliminate hazardous conditions and provides written recommendations of specifications required for compliance with codes and regulations.

Physical requirements of the position:
General office environment with sedentary work conditions and the ability to move to various facilities to meet with staff. Exposure to maintenance and support equipment areas, such as boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, manholes, attics, basements, construction sites, stock rooms/warehouse, etc. is periodic. There are some periods of sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, etc. There is some travel involved.  Position must often crawl and use other physical movement during the course of inspections.

About the NC Division of Safety and Environmental Compliance:
The Safety and Environmental Compliance Section of the DHHS Division of Human Resources is responsible for ensuring a safe and healthful environment for employees, visitors and others receiving services at DHHS facilities through compliance with all federal and state workplace safety and environmental rules and regulations. 

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits.Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed.

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• Candidate demonstrates the ability to interpret and apply working knowledge of building codes, NFPA Life Safety Codes, ANSI Standards, OSHA and EPA Regulations and Standards and General knowledge of Industrial Hygiene. 
• Ability to manage, direct and enforce these regulations and standards. 
• Strong oral, written communications and research skills are required along with the ability to effectively prioritize work. 
• Good computer knowledge of Windows based systems and Microsoft Office applications. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a variety of persons at all education levels, internal and external to the organization and to establish and maintain working relationships with employees and customers.

Management preference will be given to candidates with additional training in:

• Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Training
• Asbestos Training-Competent Person
• Lead Abatement Training
• Hazard Communication Training
• Workers' Compensation Training
• Other safety or safety-related topics would be beneficial.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree with a major in safety management, occupational safety, industrial technology, or one of the physical sciences from an appropriately accredited institution and a minimum of two years of progressive occupational and safety and health experience;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience.The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.
 
For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
 
 It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information.  Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.  Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit.   Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. 

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.
 
NOTE:  Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application.  If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930.

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status". 

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442.   If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.