Position Summary: The Safety Manager is responsible for researching, planning, developing and implementing the programs, policies and procedures necessary to meet the Cooperative’s safety goals and objectives. The individual in this role manages the safety training and associated administrative safety tasks, along with conducting any investigations and associated reporting for incidents or property damage that occurs.  The Safety Manager is to lead and foster a productive, engaging and accountable safety culture in a collaborative fashion.

Responsibilities and Competencies: The following responsibilities and competency statements are essential functions of this position and are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job function. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of personnel so classified.  The person in this position may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned.

Responsibilities include the following. Other duties are as assigned.

• Leads efforts to promote an engaged workforce that embraces the desired safety culture.
• Stays current with practices and policies through training, participation in conferences and work groups, and through a high level of awareness and engagement with industry trends. Provides overall administration and oversight of respective corporate policies and procedures as it relates to safety.
• Works collaboratively among all levels of the organization, ensuring a practical and policy driven approach to safety compliance.
• Upholds accountability to MEC’s safety program through observations and assessments, provides feedback or assists with recommendations when warranted for achieving the desired behavior or compliance with the program. Ensures compliance with all requirements set forth by the Safe Work Practices Handbook, OSHA standards and MEC policies and standard operating procedures.
• Works with NDaREC staff and other associated organizations to improve MEC’s safety program.
• Administers the Cooperative’s safety training; creates and maintains an annual, robust safety training calendar to ensure employees are educated on safe work practices to the highest degree. Works collaboratively with management to coordinate training.  Continually assesses delivery of required training to ensure it is relevant and effective.
• Owner of the corporate learning management system (LMS), responsible for the content and administration of assigned content, utilizes current technology to track employee safety training records.
• Maintains all records, electronically, related to the safety program of the Cooperative. Utilizes technology to efficiently administer and track all aspects of the program.
• Assists in review and provides input for procurement or design of facilities and equipment of the cooperative as it relates to safety.
• Present daily with MEC staff, actively involved in tailgates, regular department meetings, or other updates; visibly engaged with staff.
• Administers safety accreditation program, leads efforts for safety engagement and recognition efforts, including Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program and other committee or groups as it relates to safety.
• Reviews and administers the property insurance carrier program.
• Serves as the lead for accident investigation and root cause analysis for incidents, accidents, or property damage events. Compiles all necessary reporting, documentation, and facilitates identified corrective action. 
• Reviews near misses and other indicators and creates training calendar to ensure education on where gaps may exist.
• Assists with administration of the anti-drug and alcohol program in cooperation with human resources.
• Responsible for all records retention and documentation of all necessary inspection and compliance activities.
• Works with HR to administer the Workers Compensation program with WSI
• Administers the Occupational Safety and Health Administration log.
• Ensures Cooperative Compliance with:
  1. OSHA
  2. DOT
  3. EPA
  4. RESAP
  5. Hazardous chemical communication regulations
  6. NDaREC’s Safe Work Practices Handbook
  7. All other state and federal regulatory requirements
• Maintains and conducts annual audits of MEC’s Emergency Action Plan, Avian Protection , Crisis Management Guide, safety engagement program, SOPs, and more.
• Manages the overall Cooperative PPE program ensuring appropriate PPE is available to staff, available PPE is compliant with regulations, and that appropriate administration and oversight is present to ensure PPE is properly cared for and is managed in a responsible, cost-conscious way.
• Responsible for statistical data reflecting the Cooperative’s safety performance, and reporting this data to senior management and the Board of Directors on a monthly basis. Responsible for creating and executing a safety improvement plans that are based off the Cooperative’s data and observations.
• Communicates opportunities for improvement with all employees about safety concerns.
• Administrates DOT compliance programs including driver qualification files, vehicle license and permits, , and random testing program.
• As a key employee to the well-being of MEC employees, position is considered an on-call employee in the event of safety questions and concerns, or serious accidents involving damage and/or injury.
• Maintains a certification of first aid, CPR and other life saving techniques and performs these techniques as necessary to ensure that prompt attention is given to coworkers during emergencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Follows policies and procedures; upholds organizational values; works with ethics and integrity.
• Stays current with safety rules and regulations.
• Work collaborative with MEC staff, peers, and other groups and organizations, embraces the concept of effective teamwork.
• Exhibits effective communication, adheres to sensitive information practices, high level of stakeholder management.
• Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations.
• Manages difficult or emotional member situations; responds promptly to member needs; solicits member feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Focuses on solving conflicts, not blaming; listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; remains open to new and to others’ ideas.
• Speaks and writes clearly and informatively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; participates in meetings.
• Develops workable implementation plans; communicates changes effectively; prepares and supports those affected by change; monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continually build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others.
• Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.
• Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Treats people with respect in actions and speech; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; includes appropriate people in decision making process.
• Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time effectively; sets and achieves challenging goals.
• Adapts to changes in work environment; manages competing demands.
• Volunteers readily; asks for and offers help when needed.
• Maintains and promotes a positive, professional attitude.
• Views the Cooperative as a unit of interdependent functions and assists when needed.
• Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Ability to utilize technology to solve problems, competency in using applications to document and manage requirements of job.
• Demonstrates ability to think critically, embraces continuous improvement.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five or more years of field experience working in the construction and maintenance of an electrical distribution system or equivalent. Three years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role. A combination of education and experience may be considered. Position requires ability and willingness to learn MEC policies and procedures for serving our membership. Knowledge of overhead and underground distribution construction in the field and the National Electrical Safety Code, the National Electrical Code, and the Association’s Safety Manual required. Must be able to present good communication skills, both written and verbal. Requires the ability to objectively review employee’s accidents and suggest appropriate remedial action to MEC management.

Certifications/Licenses: A valid ND Class D driver’s license is required.  Safety certifications are preferred

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of members or employees of organization.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here 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 the essential functions.

Work for this position occurs both inside (office environment) and outside. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk or sit. Works outside with great physical exertion requiring upper body strength and stamina. The employee will routinely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds, occasionally heavy work requiring exertion of up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Emergency work and irregular work hours are conditions of this position.  This position is subject to work in adverse weather elements/hazards conditions such as high temperatures, ice storms, outages, etc. and is subject to work-related hazards while performing the job. May be subject to random drug and alcohol testing consistent with Department of Transportation regulations.