Safety Specialist

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The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Safety Specialist is part of the Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Department and supports the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of health and safety hazards, as well as compliance with applicable regulations s role contributes to safety training, program implementation, and continuous improvement across surface and underground operations.

• Supports the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of health and safety hazards and helps ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Identifies risks and assists in developing and implementing control methods to address those risks.
• Actively participates in the Safety & Health (S&H) assessment process and contributes to continuous improvement efforts.
• Helps implement and maintain safety policies and procedures and supports the site's safety program.
• Contributes to the execution of the Work Planning and Control Standard to ensure work is performed safely.
• Monitors and observes field activities to help ensure adherence to safety and health programs.
• Provides day‑to‑day safety and health support for underground and surface operations.
• Participates in safety and health‑related training sessions and knowledge‑sharing meetings.
• Assists with incident investigations and reporting processes.
• Promotes safety awareness throughout the organization through communication and engagement.

• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety, and Health or a related field, or equivalent experience, is required.

• Certified Mine Safety Professional (CMSP) is preferred.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is preferred.

• Candidates must possess either a bachelor's degree with a minimum of four years of relevant experience or eight years of safety experience with OSHA, MSHA, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Experience working in underground mining, surface construction, or in a research environment such as a DOE national laboratory.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM) elements and ability to support implementation and compliance efforts.

• Adaptability—Ability to effectively adjust to changing priorities and demands.
• Attention to Detail—Ability to maintain constant awareness of surroundings and ensure tasks are completed carefully and accurately.
• Communication—Communicates effectively and clearly with a wide range of audiences in both written and oral form. Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Continuous learning—Ability to keep up to date on state and federal laws, rule, and regulations pertaining to site safety.
• Customer Service—Ability to interact courteously with customers and assess and address their needs.
• Decision Making—Ability to assess situations, evaluate options, and choose most appropriate course of action.
• Initiative—Ability to persist despite difficult conditions and to make suggestions for improvements.
• Integrity—Unquestioned ability to maintain confidential information and ensure that it is reliable and correct.
• Motivation—Ability and strong desire to learn.
• Organization—Ability to plan ahead and work in a systematic, organized way, keep order and coordinate numerous activities. Ability to work in a stressful, deadline‑oriented environment that requires complex, technical information and decision making.
• Teamwork—Ability to work cooperatively and support others in the workgroup as well as represent SDSTA in a professional manner to all customers, vendors, contractors and staff.
• Safety—Ability to learn, understand and comply with SDSTA’s ESH Manual safety program. Willing to accept and enforce strict safety practices.

• This position…