Occupational Health and Safety Officer - Risk Management

Fort Bend County is ranked as one of the fastest growing counties in the nation.  We have capitalized on not only the creed of our location, but on the "quality of life" for our families to call home.  Our employees are the key to our success and the heartbeat of our foundation.  The diversity and inclusivity of our community is our strength and at the forefront of a workplace environment welcoming to all.  Live Here! Work Here!

• Regularly conducts work-site inspections (including shops, building work spaces, fleet, safety equipment, and open spaces) to detect potential or existing unsafe/hazardous conditions and unsafe work practices to ensure work is performed in adherence to established safety codes and regulations (ie, NIOSHA, FSA, OSHA). Observes County work in progress to ensure compliance with safe work practices and reviews safety practices and worksite assignments for countywide programs to ensure compliance with OSHA, FLSA, and County safety policies; identifies potential hazards, provides recommendations, and supports development of participant and supervisor safety orientations.
• Responds to the 24/7 incident reporting line as the first point of contact for workplace incidents, coordinates post-accident testing and medical response, and notifies Claims Administrators and leadership as required; Conducts incident field investigation and coordinates department’s root cause analysis; Assists in coordinating, reviewing, and managing incident video files to support investigations, ensure accurate documentation, and maintain compliance with County policies and legal requirements.
• Develops risk assessments to analyze hazards in order to mitigate unsafe work practices to prevent incidents. Participates in the distribution and review of Annual Employee Safety Surveys to gather employee feedback, identify safety concerns, and address occupational health and safety hazards. Tracks resolution of identified hazards and provides regular updates to leadership on corrective actions and compliance status.
• Conducts Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks associated with specific job tasks and equipment, and incorporates findings into training and safe work procedures.
• Reviews departmental equipment purchases to ensure compliance with applicable safety standards, identifies associated training or certification requirements (e.g., forklift, aerial lift, confined space), and coordinates with departments and external providers to ensure operators receive appropriate job-specific training before equipment use.
• Coordinates with Facilities Management to obtain and maintain Cartegraph system access, enabling Risk Management to review facility work requests related to safety and security for oversight, trend identification, and follow-up on corrective actions.
• Coordinates Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety Program (Boots & Glasses), ensuring eligible employees receive approved safety boots and prescription safety glasses in compliance with County policy, and organizes the annual on-site Boots and Glasses employee event. Assists in evaluating PPE program effectiveness and vendor performance.
• Develops, coordinates, and manages Occupational Health and Safety training programs, including but not limited to New Hire Orientation, Defensive Driving, CPR, Fire Extinguisher, Ergonomics, Active Attacker, and General Workplace Occupational Health and Safety - by creating training materials, collaborating with external providers, maintaining training records, and administering courses through Risk Management’s Learning Management System (LMS). Evaluates training effectiveness through feedback, testing, and performance metrics to support continuous improvement.
• Assists with practical exercises such as fire drills, evacuation drills, and shelter-in-place simulations. Participates in and supports tabletop exercises and mock drills to validate the effectiveness of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and ensure the readiness and coordination of department emergency personnel. Maintains documentation of all drills and provides recommendations for improvement.
• Proposes and assists in developing budgets to support Occupational Health and Safety program initiatives, ensuring adequate funding for training, equipment, and program implementation.
• Promotes occupational health and safety programs, policies, and procedures to minimize and/or eliminate risks to employees and the public; collaborates with the Building Safety Officer and Risk Management leadership to develop and share safety communications, educational materials, and social-media content that reinforce a strong County-wide safety culture and support participation in County events.
• Participates in professional development opportunities, including courses, conferences, and webinars, to stay current on the latest trends, regulat