SAFETY ASSOCIATE, ENFORCEMENT

The Department of Business and Industry is recruiting to underfill Safety Specialist, Enforcement positions within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the Division of Industrial Relations in Las Vegas. Under close supervision, Safety Associates receive training in performing safety and health inspections at workplaces throughout Southern Nevada. Once trained, they will promote safety and health practices, perform inspections independently, and enforce State and Federal safety and health laws and regulations (e.g. NRS 618, NAC 618, 29 CFR 1910, 29 CFR 1926). Incumbents will be trained to identify safety and health hazards and violations and recommend reasonable and feasible means of abatement; research specific technology and industry applications using technical references and applicable codes and standards; prepare written reports; investigate industrial accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities; and investigate complaints.

Incumbents will be required to use a State vehicle to conduct State business, but use of a personal vehicle may also be required. Incumbents may be required to work shifts other than 8:00 am to 5:00 pm including nights, weekends, and holidays. Persons interested in this position should have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, have exceptional organizational and analytical skills, and possess the ability to provide quality and professional customer service.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in safety and health, engineering, chemistry, biological or physical sciences, fire science, or business administration; OR Associate's degree in applied science, mechanical technology or closely related field and two years of experience in occupational safety and health; OR three years of experience in the building trades, industrial operations, or occupational safety and health in which safety hazard recognition and correction was a primary duty; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and three years of experience as described above.Make unannounced compliance inspections of employer sites covered by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); when citing employers for violations, identify a reasonable and feasible means of abatement; obtain search warrants when necessitated by denial of entry; conduct opening conferences including employee representatives as well as management; use camera and video equipment for documentation as appropriate; classify violations according to regulatory guidelines and assign corresponding penalties; and conduct closing conferences with employer and employee representatives covering proposed citations and monetary penalties, the employer’s right to contest citations, and the requirement to post notice of citations.

Investigate industrial accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatalities, and investigate complaints against covered employers; coordinate investigation activities with emergency services and law enforcement personnel, State and employer’s attorneys, and families of injured and deceased employees; secure physical evidence for custodial retention; determine cause of accident and contributing factors; and cite employers for violations.

Participate in informal conferences with cited employers and/or their legal representatives to consider and resolve specific concerns and mitigating circumstances, proposed penalties, availability of financial relief, proposed abatement schedules and procedures, and formal contest procedures.

When citations are contested through litigation, provide State attorneys with complete information necessary to defend the challenged enforcement actions and testify as a technical or expert witness; investigate complaints of alleged discrimination against employees based on safety-related activities protected by law; interview complainant, witnesses, and company management; review relevant employer records; evaluate validity and merits of the complaint, adjudicative ability, and course of action to be recommended considering relevant case law; negotiate withdrawal by complainant or settlement between the parties when appropriate.

Develop and maintain complete case files on each inspection and investigation.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under close supervision, incumbents receive training in performing some or all of the duties described in the series concept. Progression to the next level may occur upon meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with the recommendation of the appointing authority.

General knowledge of: current workplace safety issues; standard mechanical and scientific terminology, measures and concepts relevant to workplace safety; the practical application of statistical data and mathematics including algebra and geometry.

Ability to: research and understand applied technical information from a variety of scientific and mechanical disciplines; write organized, grammatically correct reports and correspondence; communicate effectively in interviews, meetings and when providing testimony in court; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; maintain composure in the face of resistance, indifference, and hostility; analyze operations problems and business practices, identify relevant factors and relationships, recognize alternatives and their implications, and formulate logical, objective conclusions; physically conduct inspections requiring prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending and twisting, stooping, and/or reaching.