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Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist - Workers Compensation

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Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist - Workers Compensation

Salary

$144,934.40 - $185,515.20 Annually

Location

CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

01936-E

Division

Emergency, Safety and Security

Unit

Environmental, Health and Safety

Opening Date

10/24/2025

Closing Date

11/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Overview:

Join Valley Water as a Senior Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Specialist and play a critical role in protecting the well-being of our workforce while ensuring compliance with safety and health standards. In this high-impact role, you will lead our Workers’ Compensation program from start to finish—managing third-party administration, occupational safety and health (OSH) medical services, insurance, modified work, and case management.

You will be theProgram Lead for key EH&S initiatives, including Employee Training, serving as the Designated Employee Representative (DER) for Commercial Drivers, and overseeing Infection Control, Hearing Conservation, Ergonomics and Respiratory Protection programs. Your expertise will also support essential safety functions such as Facility Safety Audits, ensuring our employees have the safest work environment possible.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence safety culture, collaborate with leaders across the organization, and directly contribute to a healthier, safer workplace for all Valley Water employees.

Our Commitment:

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:

Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

+ Lead and manage Valley Water’s Workers’ Compensation program, including third-party administration, OSH medical services, insurance, modified work, return-to-work, and case management.

+ Serve as theProgram Lead for Employee Training, Designated Employee Representative (DER) for Commercial Drivers, Infection Control, Hearing Conservation, Ergonomics, and Respiratory Protection programs.

+ Support theLockout-Tagout program by overseeing lock/tag inventory and equipment needs, and conduct Facility Safety Audits to identify and address hazards.

+ Oversee the injury management process, from initial reporting to medical treatment coordination and return-to-work facilitation.

+ Partner with managers and teams toidentify hazards and develop prevention strategies that foster a proactive safety culture.

+ Conduct workplace inspections and audits to ensure compliance with applicable safety regulations and standards.

+ Investigate incidents, accidents, and near-misses, providing clear, actionable recommendations for prevention.

+ Offer expert guidance on environmental, health, and safety matters, promoting awareness, compliance, and best practices.

+ Mentor and lead staff, assigning tasks, reviewing work, and developing their skills in EH&S functions.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

+ Five (5) years of analytical experience developing and administering workers compensation, environmental, health, and safety programs and projects. One (1) year of technical lead/supervisory experience at the project level

+ Proven track record of implementing and administering Workers' Compensation programs, including managing injury cases and facilitating return-to-work programs.

+ Experience in developing and delivering safety training programs, with a focus on engaging and educating diverse employee populations.

+ Strong background in conducting safety inspections, risk assessments, and incident investigations.

+ Experience in collaborating with regulatory agencies and external stakeholders on environmental, health, and safety initiatives.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

+ Exceptional communication skills to effectively engage with employees at every level.

+ Strategic thinking with a proactive, solution-focused mindset.

+ Comprehensive understanding of workers’ compensation and occupational safety laws.

+ Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and EH&S reporting tools.

+ Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

+ Commitment to ongoing professional growth in EH&S best practices.

+ Skilled in accident investigation, root cause analysis, and risk reduction strategies.

+ Ability to recommend policies and programs that comply with laws and minimize organizational risk.

Ideal Knowledge:

+ In-depth knowledge of Workers’ Compensation regulations and OSHA/DOT safety requirements.

+ Understanding of injury management, return-to-work strategies, and medical protocols.

+ Familiarity with adult learning principles and effective training design.

+ Knowledge of hazard identification, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness.

+ Awareness of emerging EH&S trends and technologies.

Ideal Training and Education:

+ Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in industrial safety, construction technology, environmental sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, or a related field.

Substitution:

+ Directly related experience may be substituted on the basis of one and one-half years of experience for the one year of education.

Required License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

To review the Classification Specification, please clickhere (https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/valleywater.org.us-west-1/s3fs-public/Senior%20Environmental%20Health%20and%20Safety%20Specialist%205-2019.pdf)

Environmental, Health, and Safety Unit (Position Code 644)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite, after completion of the probationary period (one year).

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.

(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, clickhere (https://www.valleywater.org/benefits)

01

I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

+ Yes

+ No

02

Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., “see resume”) will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

+ Yes

+ No

03

Have you obtained your bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in the industrial safety, construction technology or environmental sciences?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Do you have 5 years of analytical experience developing and administering workers compensation programs and (1) year of technical lead/supervisory experience at the project level?

+ Yes

+ No

05

If you have not obtained your Bachelor’s degree, do you have 11 years of analytical experience developing and administering workers compensation programs including one (1) year of technical lead/supervisory experience at the project level?

+ Yes

+ No

+ N/A I have obtained my bachelors

06

How many years of lead/supervisory experience do you have?

+ None

+ 1 year

+ 2 or more years

07

Please describe your experience and education that best qualifies you for this opportunity. In your answer, please include your experience in implementing and administering Workers' Compensation programs in previous roles.

08

Describe your experience managing third-party vendors (e.g., workers' compensation administrators, medical providers, safety consultants). How did you evaluate their performance and ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and service standards?

09

Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

10

Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

Required Question

Employer

Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)

Address

5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118

Phone

1-408-630-2260

Website

https://www.valleywater.org

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