Manager, Industrial Safety

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses and light rail, as well as a resource for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Manager, Industrial Safety position directs, manages, and facilitates the development, implementation and maintenance of the Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council's policies and programs that help ensure safe working conditions. Its goals are to promote safe work practices for employees, and to guide the organization in safety and industrial hygiene regulatory compliance.

1. Develops and implements objectives, programs, and activities in safety to achieve Metro Transit's goals of a safe workforce and workplace(s) and protecting employees from health hazards associated in their workplace. The Manager ensures that any changes to Federal or State OSHA regulations are implemented and addressed by the organization.

• Develops policies, objectives, documentation and procedures for employee safety.
• Designs, develops, and implements annual (recurrent) and new hire training for employee safety.
• Creates and delivers in-person and/or virtual employee safety activities. Acts as employee's safety promotion leader.
• Creates and tracks safety goals for Federal and State OSHA requirements and company metrics.
• Manages the change process to implement any new or revised Federal and State employee safety regulations.

2. Serve as the Metro Transit expert, contact, and voice (with the public, peers, and regulatory agencies) in safety and industrial hygiene.

• Communicates results of the employee safety program objectives to leaders.
• Acts as a liaison to employees and management for addressing employee safety concerns.
• Ensures any changes or updates to OHSA standards are communicated to leadership in a timely manner.
• Alerts leadership of any new health hazards and safety risks to employees utilizing the Safety Management System processes.
• Acts as the primary MN OSHA liaison leading formal investigation and responding to informal, written responses

3. Manages safety staff, including extended staff, through planning, developing expectations, measuring progress, providing coaching, staff development, and evaluating staff performance.

• Manages employee safety staff on daily basis to ensure program expectations are implemented, including administration duties such as timecard/vacation approvals.
• Completes required managerial training courses for leadership role and ensures employee leadership are trained in employee safety.
• Creates and implements training programs for safety department staff development and new regulatory requirements.
• Assists the Director of Safety with staff evaluations for safety risks.

4. Provides guidance and oversight of AWAIR and safety committees charged with improving employee safety and improving workplace accident frequency and severity. The Manager will use Safety Management Systems to ensure all employee safety risks are assessed.

• Maintains personal certification for Certified Industrial Hygiene.
• Reviews and tracks any changes to state/federal safety programs that mandated for the organization.
• Acts as the safety department lead on AWAIR committees and ensures monthly meetings meet/exceed state requirements.
• Tracks, analyzes, and reports all data gathered from AWAIR and safety committee meetings.
• Communicates results of the AWAIR and Safety Committee meetings to leadership as required.

5. Measures and evaluates progress and evaluates results of safety; and modifies programs accordingly. Prepares and presents reports on safety results in a timely, accurate, and understandable manner. Reviews and analyzes the effectiveness of current programs and recommends improvements to policies and procedures.

• Maintains safety database for tracking employee's safety data. The Safety Management System shall be used to accomplish this including risk assessment for all employee safety data.
• Utilizes the Safety Management System to implement change when needed/assessed for safety risks identified through safety reporting or incidents. Alerts leadership of any new health hazards and safety risks to employees utilizing the Safety Management System processes.
• Develops annual employee's safety data goals and metrics. Tracks goals monthly for analysis and communicates results to employees and management.
• Completes annual review of the organizations safety goals, policies and procedures. Suggests changes/updates for leadership to ensure current programs meet and exceed requirements.

6. Acts as the safety department point of contact for all facility related employee safety programs.

• Manages safety-related medical monitoring activities, air quality testing, and employee exposure assessments.
• Review plans for new construction and remodeling of public and non-revenue facilities.
• Ensures employees safety standards are met (OSHA).
• Addresses any facility related employee's safety concerns in a timely manner and communicates them to appropriate leadership.

Any of the following combinations in completed education (in occupational health, industrial safety, risk management or related field) and progressively responsible safety experience in an industrial environment. Must include at least three (3) years of management experience that includes supervising employees and managing safety programs.

• High school diploma/GED with at least ten (10) years of experience.
• Associate degree with at least eight (8) years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree with at least six (6) years of experience.
• Master's degree with at least four (4) years of experience.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Knowledge of organizational safety management programs including Safety Management Systems.
• Certified Industrial Hygiene or Equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA regulations, AWAIR Program and OSHA and other regulatory standards, laws, rules, and policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
• Experience working with a diverse workforce.

• Skilled in effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skilled in tracking and analyzing safety data.
• Skilled in working with employees from all areas of the organization including leadership.
• Skilled in computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• Skilled in providing effective work direction to staff, managing employee development and training, coaching, counseling, and mentoring.
• Skilled in persuasion while dealing with others both inside and outside of the department. Interactions with others generally require influencing, instructing, and negotiating with individuals to gain their understanding, cooperation, and action. Interactions may involve efforts to persuade and negotiate with other representatives or officials outside of the organization but does not have the authority to act on behalf of the organization in matters where there are legitimate differences of opinion.
• Skilled in providing effective work direction to staff, managing employee development and training, coaching, counseling, and mentoring.

• Skilled in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project or equivalent software packages

• Ability to translate broad agency goals into specific program objectives and action plans.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects relating to safety issues and exposure monitoring.
• Ability to lead and motivate individuals and teams to achieve program and project outcomes.
• Ability to achieve results and add value to the organization by implementing appropriate strategies and assuming responsibility for results.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations. Write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of customers or clients.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.