Safety Coordinator

Salary : $57,470.40 - $69,867.20 Annually
Location : City of Merced Public Works Department, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1420
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description


Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
Under general supervision, to recommend resolutions to problems of various levels of complexity in the safety, health, and environmental disciplines including developing risk assessments and regulatory compliance programs; to monitor processes; to conduct or coordinate related training activities with employees, management, consultants and service providers to assist with compliance of applicable laws and regulations; and to perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISITICS
Incumbents in this class are responsible for assisting the Department in meeting State and Federal standards for a safe work place and as a resource to management regarding occupational safety, environmental and health requirements. This may include training of employees; inspection of work sites and practices for adherence to safety requirements; and research of regulatory requirements. The incumbent recommends policy in compliance with Cal-OSHA, Federal OSHA regulations and standards, as well as local environmental health compliance regulations; advises management regarding adherence to safety standards; and makes safety related recommendations to the Department Head and other Management staff.

REPORTS TO
Director of Public Works or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED
This is not a supervisory classification.

Examples of Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Assist management to ensure safety practices are followed.
2. Interpret safety, health and environment regulations to determine relevance to City operations; devise strategies and procedures for compliance; and evaluate changes to operations and maintenance procedures to ensure they do not adversely affect safety, health, and/or the environment.
3. Offer safety guidance for the preparation of proposals, hazardous materials business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract.
4. Evaluate and analyze trends, barriers to performance of safe work, and root causes of accidents; assist management with developing action plans to eliminate hazards or develop controls for hazards; coordinate with management and employees to implement controls from results of hazard analysis; and maintain documentation of hazard identification, elimination and mitigation measures, and safety and training programs implemented.
5. Coordinate and conduct on-site inspections to audit physical conditions and safe work practices.
6. Consult and advise the City to remain compliant with City, State, and Federal regulations.
7. Monitor and evaluate motor vehicle operations including environmental hazards, workplace safety, ergonomics, and the DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements.
8. Implement programs encouraging safe working practices; research, recommend, and develop safety education and cost-effective training materials.
9. Oversee and provide direction to the Public Works Employee Safety Committee on Occupational Health & Safety issues.
10. Advise safety committees, supervisors, and management on the best methods to resolve environmental, health, and safety concerns including engineering and administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
11. Conduct new-hire occupational health, safety, and environmental orientation.
12. Assist management with the investigation, documentation and reporting of vehicle accidents, occupational injuries or illnesses, property damage claims, and related incidents; compile, analyze, interpret, and report accident, loss, and exposure statistical data; and assist the Support Services Department in processing of accident or injury reports, claims, or investigative findings.
13. Develop and administer specialized environmental compliance programs related to the storage, handling, inventory, and disposal methods of hazardous waste; track waste manifests and maintain the hazardous materials business plan for the department; and ensure proper training and documentation of City employees.
14. Oversee and assist with administering department wide hazardous waste safety programs, identifying safe methods for disposal, ensure proper documentation and training requirements for handling and disposal of hazardous materials or hazardous waste streams associated with City employees.
15. Oversee hearing tests as required.
16. Perform related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Pertinent federal, state and local safety laws and regulations including Cal-OSHA and Federal OSHA.
Principles of industrial, construction, and vehicular safety.
Methods and principles of safety training.
Record-keeping practices and reporting regulations related to safety, occupational illness, and accidents.
Principles of motivation and training.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:
Read, comprehend, and interpret complex regulations, laws, and guidelines.
Collect and analyze data.
Evaluate alternatives and costs.
Function independently with little direct supervision.
Conduct safety training sessions.
Manage and implement safety and environmental health training programs to fit specific departmental needs.
Maintain complete, accurate records and correspondence.
Prepare clear and concise statistical and written reports.
Conduct comprehensive inspections and audits in compliance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and guidelines.
Operate office equipment including typewriters, sound meters, respirators, vapor detectors, other related testing devices, computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and
database applications.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.


Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training:
An Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in industrial safety or a related field.
Experience:
Two years experience in conducting safety audits, inspections, and training in an industrial or construction setting.
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.
A workplace safety-related certification from an accredited source such as UC Davis Extension Environmental Health and Safety or Safety Center Work Place Safety is highly desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.
Environment : Work is performed in a variety of environments, including corporation yards, shops, offices, treatment plants, employee job sites and outdoor environments; continuous contact with City staff and representatives of other agencies; and may require occasional overtime or weekend work with travel to different job sites.
Physical : Frequently stand, sit, walk, stoop, kneel and crouch for extended periods; normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 40 lbs.; ability to climb ladders up to 10 ft.; to hear in the normal range with or without correction; to see in the normal range with or without correction; verbal communication; and use of office equipment, including computer, camera, telephone, calculator, copiers, scanners and FAX.
Health and Welfare Benefits

Up to $846.67 per pay period towards the following benefits:

Medical - Choice of Anthem Blue Cross plans

Dental - Choice of Delta Dental plans

Vision - Choice of VSP vision plans

Life - Pays amount equal to one year's salary up to $50,000

Disability - Choice of Long Term Disability coverage
Vacation
Years 1-5 earn vacation at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 192 hours

Years 6-9 earn vacation at rate of 4.616 hours per pay period up to maximum of 240 hours

Years 10-15 earn vacation at rate of 6.160 hours per pay period up to maximum of 320 hours
Years 16-20 earn vacation at rate of 6.928 hours per pay period up to maximum of 360

Years 21-25 earn vacation at rate of 7.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 400 hours

Years 26+ earn vacation at rate of 9.232 hours per pay period up to maximum of 480 hours

Sick Leave
Sick leave is earned at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 1056 hours
Longevity Pay
10 Years - 1.5% of base hourly rate of pay.
15 Years - 3.0% of base hourly rate of pay.
20 Years - 4.5% of base hourly rate of pay.
25 Years - 6.0% of base hourly rate of pay.

Admin Leave
Management Supervisory employees receive 5 days per calendar year.
Holidays

14 paid holidays
Retirement

CalPERS Retirement at either 2% at 60 or 2% at 62 for Miscellaneous employees and CalPERS Retirement at either 3% at 55 or 2.7% at 57 for Public Safety employees depending on previous CalPERS or reciprocal employment.

ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan available.
Other
Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union Membership
"Healthy Life, Wealthy Life" Wellness Program.