Safety Officer, Senior
Type: INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location: WATERWORKS
Job Family: PROFESSIONAL
Posting Start: 09/26/2025
Posting End: 10/17/2025
Details: Click Here for Job Description
Target Hiring Range: $65,900.00 - $79,821.05 Based on Experience
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To be To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants MUST complete and submit a job application through the City of Newport News’ official career website.
To apply, visit https://www.nnva.gov/193/Apply-for-a-Job
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GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES Under limited supervision, this position is responsible for researching, developing and implementing safety, health, and environmental programs for the Waterworks Department. Reports to the Chief of Environmental, Safety, and Security. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Researches, develops and implements safety programs in areas such as accident investigation and prevention, motor vehicle safety, confined space, hearing conservation, building safety, ergonomics, environmental recycling and control and various Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated programs. Ensures the department is in full compliance with OSHA, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) mandated programs. Develops safety policies, writes procedures and disseminates information. Directs or provides research, technical expertise, designs programs and/or analysis and makes recommendations to management on a variety of difficult safety or health issues, programs, topics or enforcement concerns including current or proposed regulations and their potential impact upon operations. Responsible for the effective supervision and administration of assigned staff including budget preparation and monitoring, purchasing and financial transactions, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities. Develops resources, coordinates and facilitates a variety of safety and health training programs and events. Makes arrangements for instructors or media and maintains a multi-media safety and health training library. Designs and coordinates newsletters, safety and health bulletins and awareness campaigns. Maintains training attendance records. Performs building, work site and equipment inspections; collects and maintains appropriate accident and injury statistics, regulatory documentation, and records; conducts work site interviews and safety discussions; collects data analysis to identify trends; completes job hazard analysis reports as well as accident or incident investigations and follow-up reports; performs hazard assessments; conducts defensive driving evaluations. Coordinates with other City departments, personnel or outside agencies where necessary; assists citywide or department level Safety and Health Committees. Performs other duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE STANDARD Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE • Safety – Thorough knowledge of Federal, State and Local regulations as they pertain to the principles, practices, trends and methods related to occupational health and safety. Thorough knowledge of current and accepted safety practices and principles as they relate to municipal government. • Education and Training – Knowledge of the principles, techniques and methods of adult education and training to include methods for developing training outlines and employee development programs. Knowledge of group dynamics and team building as applied to group training. • Supervision - Knowledge of leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
REQUIRED SKILLS • Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and related software to effectively complete a variety of administrative tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy. • Interpersonal Relationships — Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees and all levels of management to include representatives from other departments and organizations. • Coordination of Work – Ability to establish and implement effective administrative programs and procedures. Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Performs a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
REQUIRED ABILITIES • Judgment and Decision Making — Evaluates the best method of research and then exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities and resolving complex matters. Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. • Communication – Excellent ability to communicate complex ideas and proposals effectively so others will understand to include preparation of training, reports, agendas, and policies. Excellent ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally or in writing. • Financial Management – Ability to perform arithmetic, algebraic, and statistical applications to perform purchasing and financial transactions. Ability to employ economic and accounting principles and practices in the analysis and reporting of budgeting data.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety or Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a closely related field and 5 – 7 years of progressively responsible experience in safety or health, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Requires an acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check as well as a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. This position requires satisfactory results from a pre-employment medical and audio evaluation.
To be considered for this opportunity, all applicants MUST complete and submit a job application through the City of Newport News’ official career website.
To apply, visit https://www.nnva.gov/193/Apply-for-a-Job