Safety Specialist to Senior Safety Specialist

Our Company

More than a utility company, Unitil provides energy for life.

Our work helps keep homes comfortable, businesses thriving and communities connected.  Unitil is an investor-owned public utility proudly serving Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  We are dedicated to delivering energy to our customers safely and reliably.  

Unitil is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success of Unitil is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity and value our employees.  

Take advantage of a comprehensive benefits package.

Unitil offers competitive salaries, a consumer-driven health plan, dental and vision coverage, flexible work, company-paid holidays, a, robust, highly competitive retirement plan and educational assistance.

*Note: Benefit offerings may differ between union and non-union employee groups

Position Purpose

Responsible for development, implementation, and monitoring of safety compliance across the Company with a focus on Electric Operations, encompassing known and potential hazards and risks of employee occupational safety and health. Provides technical safety leadership to Operations management, requiring extensive knowledge of safety and health regulations, statutes and practices.

Principal Accountabilities

Time %

End Results

40%

Safety Management:  Develops and implements a comprehensive program for employee occupational safety and health. Coordinates with employee-focused safety groups (e.g., safety meetings and safety committees), Operations managers/supervisors and other departments to ensure that operating criteria, operations and maintenance (O&M) practices, operational and construction standards, training, recordkeeping and reporting comply with all applicable safety regulations.

• Inspects field work locations and Company facilities to ensure a safe work environment – essential to reduce/eliminate causal factors of accidents and incidents.
• Serves as secondary point of contact for communications on various safety and health issues with Federal, state, and local regulators and/or consultants/contractors.
• Guides and assists management in developing effective corrective actions or solutions to identified safety issues, hazardous conditions or near-miss incidents.
• Audits internal programs and verifies that procedures, work practices, recordkeeping and reporting are followed and meet regulatory requirements.
• Advises on the investigation into injuries and accidents (employee and contractor), as needed, to assist in root cause analysis and coordinates appropriate corrective actions, as recommended.
• Participates as a team member on investigations of Operations incidents, as needed, coordinating the collection of evidence and conducting of interviews with Operations and other department personnel.
• Coordinates with other departments on conducting and evaluating annual evacuation drills at Company facilities.

25%

Procedures and Training:  Identifies, develops, and implements practices, processes, policies, and procedures to ensure proper and consistent adherence to occupational safety and health regulations, statutes and practices. Assists with the development and delivery of training programs and promotes a resilient safety culture.

• Assesses internal strengths, weaknesses and gaps; prioritizes needs to address critical requirements. Identifies functions and business practices requiring new compliance activities and efforts.
• Evaluates and recommends annual and periodic training and other programs designed to instill and reinforce critical competencies and ensure compliance with applicable Federal and state regulations.  Develop training programs, lead and/or conduct training, guide program development by others or procure training services from outside vendors, as appropriate.
• Develops and recommends changes to the Safety Manual and Safety Bulletins, if needed.     Distributes the Safety Manual updates in a timely manner and in the applicable format (e.g., electronic vs. hardcopy).
• Oversees the production and distribution of the weekly Tuesday Safety Minute and frequent Team Unitil safety video, focusing on an “all-employee” training perspective by referencing general yet timely safety and health themes.

25%

Performance and Execution:  Develops, in conjunction with safety management, health and safety targets and objectives and aligns management expectations with Company’s Core Principles. Ensures that technical criteria support and promote Company’s Core Principles, as well as applicable regulations and statutes.

• Evaluates instances of non-compliance and reviews respective corrective actions in response to written notices of violation; participate in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
• Interviews individuals to determine the nature of known or suspected non-compliance and obtains and preserves evidence related to rule/procedure violations.
• Monitors corrective actions in cases where non-compliance was revealed and reviews compliance monitoring reports, if existent.
• Provides guidance with the investigation of all employee-related occupational injuries, illnesses and accidents.
• Serves as Regional EOC Safety Coordinator, as needed, during Emergency Response Plan responses (e.g., storm restoration efforts) or system emergencies, including the review of related imagery (stills and video) for publication by Communications.
• Oversees the annual production and distribution of safety-themed holiday bags and the annual safety calendar, focusing on a general safety and health themes.

10%

Records and Reporting: Evaluates health and safety files, OSHA-required documentation, databases and other sources of information used in the performance of occupational safety and health and activities. Recommends and initiates enhancements to record systems to improve the effectiveness of internal work processes and procedures. Ensures accurate and timely recordkeeping and reporting in conformance with local, state and Federal regulations and statutes.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in curriculum compatible with the requirements of the position and 10 years progressively responsible experience in health and safety within primarily the electric utility industry, although gas utility industry experience will be a plus; or any combination of education and experience to demonstrate mastery of safety protocols.

Experience:

• Strong technical and analytical ability, including in-depth knowledge of, US DOL OSHA, US DOL BLS, US DOT FMCSA, and familiarity with environmental regulations.
• Proficient written and oral communication and presentation skills

Certifications:

• Seasoned, professional presentation and leadership skills, with the ability to influence the behavior of others.  
• CSP, CIH, CPEA, or CSHO will be a plus.
• Possess a valid state driver's license and the ability to travel extensively for work, when needed.

Unitil is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Last updated: 10/02/2024