Safety Specialist

Description

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Safety Specialist is part of the Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Department and supports the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of health and safety hazards, as well as compliance with applicable regulations at SURF. This role contributes to safety training, program implementation, and continuous improvement across surface and underground operations.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following reflects SDSTA’s definition of essential functions for this position and does not restrict other tasks that may be assigned. SDSTA retains the right to re-evaluate the duties of the position when considering a reasonable accommodation or at other appropriate times. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supports the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of health and safety hazards and helps ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Identifies risks and assists in developing and implementing control methods to address those risks.
• Actively participates in the Safety & Health (S&H) assessment process and contributes to continuous improvement efforts.
• Helps implement and maintain safety policies and procedures and supports the site's safety program.
• Contributes to the execution of the Work Planning and Control Standard to ensure work is performed safely.
• Monitors and observes field activities to help ensure adherence to safety and health programs.
• Provides day-to-day safety and health support for underground and surface operations.
• Participates in safety and health-related training sessions and knowledge-sharing meetings.
• Assists with incident investigations and reporting processes.
• Promotes safety awareness throughout the organization through communication and engagement.

Other Essential Functions

• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Safety, and Health or a related field, or equivalent experience, is required.

Certifications and Licenses

• Certified Mine Safety Professional (CMSP) is preferred.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) is preferred.

Experience

• Candidates must possess either a bachelor's degree with a minimum of four years of relevant experience or eight years of safety experience with OSHA, MSHA, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Experience working in underground mining, surface construction, or in a research environment such as a DOE national laboratory.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM) elements and ability to support implementation and compliance efforts.

Competencies, Knowledge and Skills

• Adaptability—Ability to effectively adjust to changing priorities and demands.
• Attention to Detail—Ability to maintain constant awareness of surroundings and ensure tasks are completed carefully and accurately.
• Communication—Communicates effectively and clearly with a wide range of audiences in both written and oral form. Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Continuous learning—Ability to keep up to date on state and federal laws, rule, and regulations pertaining to site safety.
• Customer Service—Ability to interact courteously with customers and assess and address their needs.
• Decision Making—Ability to assess situations, evaluate options, and choose most appropriate course of action.
• Initiative—Ability to persist despite difficult conditions and to make suggestions for improvements.
• Integrity—Unquestioned ability to maintain confidential information and ensure that it is reliable and correct.
• Motivation—Ability and strong desire to learn.
• Organization—Ability to plan ahead and works in a systematic, organized way, keep order and coordinate numerous activities. Ability to work in a stressful, deadline-oriented environment that requires complex, technical information and decision making.
• Teamwork—Ability to work cooperatively and support others in the workgroup as well as represent SDSTA in a professional manner to all customers, vendors, contractors and staff.
• Safety—Ability to learn, understand and comply with SDSTA’s ESH Manual safety program. Willing to accept and enforce strict safety practices.

Working Conditions

The working conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.

• This position may require working in office, surface, and underground environments at depths up to 5000 feet, which may include exposure to extreme conditions, confined spaces, and varying temperatures.
• Perform work in a typical office environment which includes individual workstations, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas such as a break room and kitchen.
• The noise level is generally low to moderate in typical of an office setting and moderately loud when on the surface or underground, and may require hearing protection.
• The office is well-lit with a combination of natural and artificial lighting to ensure a comfortable working environment.
• The office maintains a controlled temperature environment, with heating and air conditioning systems to ensure comfort throughout the year.
• Ergonomic office furniture and equipment are provided to support employee health and well-being.
• The company is committed to providing a safe working environment and adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations.
• Employees are expected to comply with SDSTA’s ESH manual safety program.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety Standards protocols are mandatory.
• Act in accordance with SDSTA’s core values: Safety Focused, Care for Others, Professionalism and Being a Team Player.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Regular interaction with team members, supervisors, and other departments and collaborators.
• Capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure or emergency situations.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to follow safety protocols and procedures.
• Sitting for extended periods of time while using a computer
• Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
• Dexterity to operate office equipment such as computers, printers, and telephones.
• Perform occasional physical labor and light lifting up to 20 pounds
• Occasional standing, walking, climbing up and down flights of stairs, and otherwise moving around the office to perform tasks
• Ability to travel as needed.

Job Information

Supervisory Duties: No

Direct Reports: N/A.

Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Hours: M-F; 7AM - 4PM

Travel Required: Infrequent

Mission/Vision/Core Values

Mission: We advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.

Vision: The world’s preferred location for underground science and education.

Core Values:

• Safety Focused: We do not compromise safety or endanger the environment.
• Care for Others: We embrace and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We listen knowing everyone has something to offer and to learn.
• Professional: What we do is important to our community and the world. We sweat the details to achieve big things. Our behavior and ethics exemplify our best.
• Team Players: We provide unmatched service. We are respectful and deliver for our customers and partners. We build trust not barriers.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) is an equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. We foster a work community where every individual feels welcomed, valued, respected and heard and discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or political affiliation is prohibited.