Safety Specialist

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is looking for a Safety Specialist II to manage and enforce the safety program across the Aqua Texas footprint. This position may be based in Austin, Houston, or Ft. Worth and involves both office and field work.

• Manage, develop, implement, and enforce Aqua’s safety program in compliance with local, state, and federal OSHA rules and regulations.
• Measure the safety program’s effectiveness using analytics, measures, and indicators.
• Identify and correct shortfalls, working closely with local and corporate stakeholders to develop, implement, and update policies and procedures.
• Conduct hands‑on training, coach employees, and provide guidance on safety rules and expectations.
• Investigate all injuries and incidents, interface with state management, HR, and the national safety director to identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Interpret technical and regulatory information, observe operations, and problem‑solve procedures as directed by the national safety manager.
• Champion inspections, ride‑a‑longs, and audits to ensure safety presence in all operations.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert, explain Aqua policies and procedures, and develop or revise policies, procedures, or SOPs for the company or multiple regions.
• Interface with corporate and local management to formulate corrective actions and ensure full implementation of corporate initiatives.
• Deliver safety training for all levels of employees, track training completion, and maintain metrics for corporate and state reporting.
• Serve as SDS, chemical exposure, and spill prevention coordinator in the region; monitor regulations related to hazardous materials.
• Investigate and evaluate new safety equipment, provide input to local managers for budgeting safety equipment purchases and training programs.
• Administer state or regional procurement of safety gear, PPE, tools or consultants, following company policies of procurement, IT and operations.
• Respond to emergency situations and work alternate shifts or after hours as required.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee records and business information, interface with HR and Legal to protect business interests.
• Attend conferences, meetings, and workshops to stay current on safety methods, procedures, codes and regulations; maintain required certifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in safety management, safety engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational environment health and safety, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in environmental and occupational health and safety, or an established track record of success may substitute for the educational requirement.
• Valid driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to determine appropriate action quickly.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency using common word processing, spreadsheet, database, project and presentation software, email, contact management and scheduling software.
• Knowledge of safety rules and regulations at all levels of government.
• Proven ability to conduct safety audits and field inspections, develop and maintain training programs, maintain safety records, and manage workplace safety programs, procedures and policies.
• Safety certifications such as CSP, CHMM or completion of OSHA 501 (train‑the‑trainer) highly desired.

Frequent travel to company locations and regular field inspections; overnight travel up to 50%.

Ability to work outside in inclement weather, including hot and cold temperatures, wind or rain; may require climbing, bending, wearing PPE, or lifting equipment up to 50lb.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action employer. Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.