Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Job Title: Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours: Full-time (typically Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Pay Rate: Range starts at $24.79/hour

The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist will work with the Director of Occupational Health and Safety to effectively promote and maintain a Zoo-wide culture of safety by working closely with all Zoo departments. The OHS Specialist will support the effective implementation, tracking, and maintenance of employee safety and health programs that help the Omaha Zoological Society to prevent work-related accidents and injuries and maintain compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations and standards.

• Assist with management and implementation of the PPE (personal protective equipment) program.
• Conduct and/or participate in regular workplace safety inspections to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Proactively address non-compliant situations by collaboratively working with department leaders and staff to develop a timely solution.
• Assist with accident investigations to identify root causes and generate recommendations to reduce or eliminate hazards; perform follow-up inspections to verify abatement measures.
• Assist with the coordination, delivery, and recordkeeping of safety-related training.
• Support the administration and implementation of written safety procedures and policies.
• All other duties and projects as assigned.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently once familiar with established procedures while also thriving in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills and the ability to manage a varied number of tasks and projects at one time.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, particularly in assessing occupational risks, and improving employee safety and human performance.
• General knowledge of safety and risk management practices and principles, including regulatory (OSHA, EPA, etc.) and national consensus standards (ANSI, NFPA, etc.).
• Must be able to handle sensitive and HIPAA information confidentially and with integrity.
• Must be proficient in MS Office, including Microsoft Teams and/or Zoom.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.

Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid drivers license with a good history.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with emphasis in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, or related field of study.
• Professional experience in safety, environmental health, risk management, or public health is a plus.

• This position has no direct reports.

• Must have the physical ability to stand for long periods and be able to walk Zoo grounds (100+ acres) in all types of weather; must have ability to visit and walk the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland, NE.
• Must be able to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above head, and climb.
• Must be able to exert a minimum of 25 pounds of force and able to lift, carry, push or pull or otherwise move objects whose weight may exceed 25 pounds.
• Ability to navigate all areas of the Zoo over a variety of terrain, including behind-the-scenes areas and outdoor spaces.
• May require some evening, weekend and holiday hours.

• Occasional conferences and training.

• This is to be determined in conjunction with the Department Head and Zoo policy.

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.