Safety & HR Specialist

Description

Fundamental Objective: As the Safety & HR Specialist this position will focus on   providing Safety and HR support for all aspects of our agriculture  operations. He or She will work closely with all field- and farming-related division leaders in planning, implementing, and overseeing employee safety at   work; and will investigate and provide disciplinary guidance on employee related issues. Their main goal is to ensure that the company is in compliance and adheres to Occupational Health and Safety guidelines to reduce   work-related incidents and injuries. They will provide expert services to the   management and field leadership team on a wide variety of Employee Relations   and Labor Law concerns. This position will help advance the development,   administration, and upkeep of the various safety programs to build a stronger safety and company culture and workplace at Pacific Ag Management and its inter-related entities.              

Essential Functions:         

A) Safety: The safety & HR specialist should be well-versed in safety   compliance, with a superior knowledge of agriculture safety. He or she serves   as an advocate, advisor, coach and consultant to all employees and leadership   teams across our different entities for all safety related matters and   programs. The Specialist will help the safety team develop, administer, and   maintain company’s various safety, compliance, and regulatory programs in   compliance with all regulatory agencies. This may include but is not limited   to the following: Cal OSHA, Fed OSHA, Department of Transportation (DOT), US   Department of Labor (DOL), CA Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), and   the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).    

1) Reviews safety   compliance programs yearly and makes the required updates, programs include: IIPP, HIPP, IHIPP, WVPP, etc.   

2) Works with various   safety agencies to develop safety programs, procedures, and proper safety documentation.    

3) Develops and maintains   the tailgate safety program for all divisions of the organization, ensuring that the topics are relatable to each distinct operation, and ensures   compliance.    

4) Develops and maintains   a pre-operational inspection process for all farming equipment in the distinct divisions and conducts audits to ensure compliance.    

5) Performs random field   inspections and procedural audits to verify compliance in field provisions, such as water, restrooms, shades, eye-wash stations, PPE, etc.    

6) Keeps incident and workers’ compensation files current until the case is closed.    

7) Collaborates with production teams to create a proper procedure in the event of an accident in accordance with company and regulatory guidelines.    

8) Collaborates with managers in organizing and adapting training plans in accordance with each managed company: new hire training, yearly training, and on demand training   needs.    

9) As required by the DOT and California DMV, informs drivers of their controlled substance and alcohol random testing, including notifications of proper permits as required.    

10) Develops and maintains Hazmat Business Plan according to company and regulatory guidelines.    

11) Develops, maintains, and reports on Hazardous Waste Generator plans according to company and regulatory guidelines.    

12) Administers,   maintains, and reports on Aboveground Petroleum Storage plans according to company and regulatory guidelines.    

13) Serves as the site’s first responder and Safety Training Leader, providing direct guidance, structure, and support to improve these programs.    

14) Works directly with internal leaders and external Safety Professionals to be current on the latest Safety Health and Environmental initiatives and best practices.    

15) Develops and enforces policies in accordance with each managed company, including accident reporting, job safety audits, safety topic communication, and incentive programs.    

16) Directs all accident  and incident investigation procedures and performs the role of First Responder.    

17) Keeps records of  safety-related incidents and collaborates with leadership on corrective actions.    

18) Intervenes in unsafe   activities or operations when they are identified.   

B) Human Resources: This role will be the representative   bridging the gap between the office and the field. They work primarily in   field locations to increase HR presence and engage in employee discussions and provide and gather feedback from employees as needed. They are responsible   for investigating all employee relations issues in field operations.    

1) Investigates claims of   workplace misconduct including claims of harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, and unfair treatment, etc.    

2) Works closely with the HR manager and executives in identifying the best course of action in the resolution of each investigation, ensuring both the employee’s and Company’s rights are protected.    

3) Proactively works with other HR generalists in the resolution of employee relation issues such as salary discrepancies, missing hours, personal information and tax   withholdings changes, etc.    

4) Collaborates with HR manager and executives on leadership training initiatives; and develops, plans and executes the training. 

5) Explains Company policies and procedures to employees and management.    

6) Works with the HR   Manager to coordinate employee terminations which may include, but is not limited to, preparing required legal and company termination paperwork, coordinating final paycheck timeline with payroll, and assisting in or   conducting the employee’s exit interview, ensuring all paperwork is properly handled and Company property is returned.     

7) Responds to employee related governmental agency (e.g. EDD, DFEH, DOL, etc.) complaints in a timely manner as instructed by HR Manager.   

C) Maintains required regulatory documentation so that it remains current and up to date, including Right-to-Know posting boards in relation to safety, labor law, and material   handling.   

D) Attends regulatory meetings related to agricultural safety, air district, irrigated lands, food   safety, oil and gas, and other applicable topics.   

E) Maintains an in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal rules and regulations for company’s farming operations, to ensure compliance and provides guidance/or direct   training for safe practices.   

F) Maintains up to date knowledge of applicable regulations affecting company’s farming operations.   

G) Maintains training and regulatory records of needed agriculture procedures and processes and assists any of the company divisions with state and federal agency reviews and   audits.   

H) Builds and maintains strong working relationships with HR department members, other safety consultants, regulatory agency contacts, and other persons affected by the company’s operations.   

I) Is proactive in recommending new or revised operational procedures to the different divisions of the organization.   

J) Performs all duties in a safe manner in keeping with the Company’s strong commitment to employee safety.   

K) Performs other job-related duties as assigned and assists in special projects as needed.     

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:       

A) Ability to read,   write, and speak English and Spanish including the meaning and spelling of   words, rules of composition, and grammar.   

B) Strong computer skills   including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook. Strong skills in   spreadsheet applications to include creating spreadsheets and formulas.   

C) Ability to use logic   and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative   solutions, conclusions, and/or approaches to problems.    

D) Ability to listen and   understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and   sentences, and the ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking   so others will understand.   

E) Ability to learn and   understand job requirements and work under general supervision after initial   training.   

F) Strong project   management ability to develop specific, detailed goals and plans to   prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.   

G) Ability to efficiently collaborate and work as a team with business partners, supervisors/managers,   peers, or others, to accomplish a unified goal.   

H) Ability to work after   hours, nights, weekends, and be on-call as required.     

I) Ability to maintain   strict confidentiality of Company information.     

J) Must be able to work   around bees without having an allergic reaction if stung.               

Education:           

A) An undergraduate   degree in a related field of study that includes Safety or Human Resources or   closely related field with three years related experience in HR or Safety; or   any similar combination of education and experience may qualify. Experience   in agriculture is highly desirable.   

B) Certification in CPR   is preferred. Proof of train-the-trainer certification and any additional   certifications related to workplace safety are a plus.              

Minimum Qualifications & Work Experience:       

A) Valid California driver's license and motor vehicle record acceptable according to Company auto insurance carrier's guidelines. 

B) HR Compliance: Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources, including, but not limited to: legal compliance, wage and hour compliance, and HIPPA requirements.   

C) Knowledge of   principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training,   compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel   information systems.    

D) Knowledge of   principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training,   compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel   information systems.    

E) Proven experience in a   safety-related role with a strong understanding of OSHA regulations and   workers' compensation law. 

F) Familiarity with occupational health principles and practices is essential.   

G) Demonstrated ability  in training development and delivery is highly desirable.   

E) This position works in   coordination with the rest of the division leaders to determine work priorities on the farm. As such, the safety specialist must be able to work   effectively as part of a team, but also be self-directed to complete projects independently. Physical Demands & Environmental Conditions:       

A) Position works both in an office environment and outside in field locations. General office environment is generally sedentary but may require standing and walking for up to 10% of the time; the working environment is generally favorable. The  outside field locations will require standing and walking for up to 80% of   the time. Field work may include exposure to dirty, dusty conditions with   exposure to temperature extremes, chemicals and airborne particles or fumes or work near moving machinery with exposure to potentially loud noise.   

B) Physical Demands: Work is generally active in nature, and may require constant standing and walking   for up to 80% of the time. The working   environment in the office is generally favorable, but will frequently work in   the maintenance shop and field which may include exposure to dirty, and dusty   conditions with exposure to temperature extremes, chemicals and airborne   particles or fumes or work near moving machinery with exposure to potentially   loud noise.   

C) Repetitive motions:   making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.   

D) Ability to exert up to   50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a 15 pounds of force frequently or   constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including   the human body.    

E) Talking: Expressing or   exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; including those activities   where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.   

F) Speaking: Speaking:   Express or exchange of ideas by means of the spoken word; including those activities where there should be detailed instructions of importance that   must be communicated to workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.   

G) Vision - General:   Vision: The ability to see details at a distance and to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).   

H) Olfactory sense: The   ability to detect odors that affect work related situations, such as fumes, fumigation, and other dangerous odors.