Job Description

Position Description:

Position Summary

The first trailblazers of American radio astronomy called Green Bank Observatory (GBO) home over 60 years ago. Today, their legacy is alive and well. Nestled in the mountain ranges and farmland of West Virginia, within the National Quiet Zone, radio astronomers are listening to the remote whispers of the universe, in order to discover answers to our most astounding astronomical questions. Green Bank Observatory enables leading edge research at radio wavelengths by offering telescope, facility and advanced instrumentation access to the astronomy community as well as to other basic and applied research communities. With radio astronomy as its foundation, the Green Bank Observatory is a world leader in advancing research, innovation, and education.

At GBO we are seeking a Safety Officer to join our Environmental, Safety and Security (ES&S) team. Reporting to the Assistant Director of ES&S, this position must ensure appropriate and sufficient communications between ES&S and the site stakeholders. This is a Safety Sensitive position as noted in the position requirements section.

The position is responsible for Observatory compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental, safety, security, and health regulations and Observatory Environmental, Safety and Security (ES&S) policy requirements.

This position will be based at the Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, WV. Occasional travel to Charlottesville, Va. may be required.

What You Will be Doing:

• Develop and conduct effective trainings and makes available resources on ES&S policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and Observatory environmental, safety, security, and health regulations.
• Support Emergency Services volunteer efforts including emergency preparedness actions, Observatory EMS planning and coordination, as well as fire prevention and response planning.
• Keep up-to-date the Site Safety Manual to include periodic review and revision to ensure the manual is current to operational requirements, personnel changes, and various governing regulations.
• Conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections to assess risks and hazards.
• Investigate, document, and report on all accidents and incidents including near miss or "close call" incidents under the areas of responsibility.
• Notify management staff regarding violation of safety regulations and codes; make recommendations for corrections and follow-up to ensure that violations or identified unsafe conditions have been corrected.
• Investigate concerns or complaints submitted by management, employees, the public and/or regulatory agencies; evaluate concerns and alternatives, and make recommendations to management for corrective action, as required.
• Interpret, apply, and explain applicable laws, codes, regulations, and guidelines.
• Maintain accurate records; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Work closely with all levels of the organization and interface with staff and management to identify and resolve ES&S issues and concerns.
• Post government required notices (e.g., OSHA Log-300 related).
• Authorized to stop a work activity if continuation of such activity constitutes an imminent threat to personnel, site equipment or property.
• Assist in developing ES&S programs, corporate policies and to provide technical assistance as applicable. Position require technical writing ability.
• Will occasionally be required to work around hazardous materials and must be familiar with handling requirements, regulations and PPE associated.
• Perform a variety of environmental tests using sophisticated testing equipment; record and summarize results and prepare recommendations based upon study results.
• May be assigned responsibility for conducting or overseeing personal protective equipment programs, CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, etc. as directed by the ES&S Director.
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned to include.
• Acts as Training Manager overseeing all safety education and training curriculum to ensure a consistent and effective message.
• Research, develop, implement and evaluate, after approval, internal safety programs, rules, policies and guidelines; prepare manuals, training outlines and employee instructions.
• Develop and continually review safety policies, write procedures and disseminate information.
• Direct or provide research, technical expertise, designs programs and/or analysis and makes recommendations to ES&S management on a variety of difficult safety or health issues, programs, topics or enforcement concerns including current or proposed regulations and long-range strategic plans and their potential impact upon operations.
• Perform risk assessment and disaster preparedness reports. May recommend and implement risk management programs and policies as a secondary function.
• May serve on special committees or projects.

Work Environment

Indoor and outdoor work is required, occasionally at high altitudes and heights of up to 500 feet. Periodic travel is required (<25%).

Physical Demands

Work is typically performed throughout the Observatory and both indoor and outdoor work is required. Will be required to stand and sit, and perform fine hand manipulation. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Must work safely near moving mechanical parts and/or with electrical equipment. Occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, and crouch. May occasionally work at high altitudes, and in high, precarious places and in extreme weather conditions, and may be exposed to chemicals, or the risk of electrical shock. May frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception are required.

Who You Are:

• You have a Bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s Degree in Occupational Safety or Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a closely related field.
• You have a minimum of three years of highly relevant work experience.
• You have an Associate Safety Professional certification or higher.

Competency Summary

• Strong presentation skills to be able to present information in an effective, comprehensive manner.
• Strong verbal communication skills in order to communicate objectives and solutions.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Ability to develop and implement policy.
• Ability to develop budgets and long-term plans.
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of the ES&S team and with all levels of the Observatory.
• Ability and willingness to earn technician level board certification (or higher) is required (CCHST, etc.) with satisfactory progress toward certification being demonstrated annually.
• Strong PC skills and knowledge of database management data entry procedures.
• Ability to collect and report data.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize projects.
• Knowledge of project management principles.

Preferred Experience

• Eight years of highly relevant work experience.
• Experience in safety training program development highly preferred.
• Project management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of electrical safety and loss prevention program requirements
• Ability to review and interpret the legal and risk aspects of contracts and agreements,
• Claims investigation and/or management.
• Excellent researching skills.

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results.

Total Rewards:

The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees\xe2\x80\x99 overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

NRAO\xe2\x80\x99s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. NRAO provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAO\xe2\x80\x99s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant\xe2\x80\x99s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the \xe2\x80\x9cApply\xe2\x80\x9d button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit . If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to .

The GBO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)

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Green Bank Observatory