Career Center

Under general direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Safety is responsible for developing, sustaining, and championing a culture of safety at the territorial level that reflects WAPA's corporate commitment that all employees are entitled to a safe, accident free and healthy work environment by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote a safe and healthy environment on all project (work) sites and office facilities in compliance with local and federal rules and regulations including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Accept responsibility for the development, implementation, and execution of a territory wide Safety Plan and Safety Management System.
• Sets the mission, vision, and values of the Safety Department.
• Identify the Safety Department’s strategic goals and initiatives as dictated by the Authority’s overall strategic plan to eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses and reduce operating expenses.
• Develop and implement the strategies and tactics to achieve safety goals and objectives to determines opportunities for improvement and measures to be implemented mitigate any deficiencies.
• Identify obstacles to strategic initiatives, resources needed and indicators of success for strategic initiatives and goals.
• Employ safety culture management of change processes to improve safety culture within the authority.
• Identify, develop and implement behavior-based safety program.
• Responsible for organizational team building within the Safety Department.
• Collaborate with the authority leadership in resolving outstand safety issues and promote safety objectives.
• Interface with local state OSHA program (VIDOSH) with regards to citations, investigations and inspection visits.
• Ensure the professional development of safety staff by providing appropriate safety training opportunities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Advice HSE Officer, CEO, and VIWAPA Board on matters pertaining to safety issues.
• Fulfil the role of Safety Officer in Incident Command Structure.
• Remain current on regulations impacting compliance with industry requirements and client jurisdiction regulations. Disseminate such information to project-based subordinates. Ensure regulatory change management process is effective and fully engaged.
• Ensure facility siting studies, quantitative risk assessments, project hazard analysis, management of change and pre-start up safety reviews requirements are communicated to management for all projects as required.
• Develop and nurture relationships with industry stakeholders including District Safety Managers, Safety Officers, Project Teams, Employees, Clients, and Subcontractors; represent and promote the VIWAPA’s safety brand and accomplishments.
• Manage safety budget.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to manage people and projects from idea generation to full implementation by leading, developing, mentoring and directing District Safety Managers and Safety Officers to accomplish goals of the department.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best-safety practices as well as federal and state laws and regulations governed by OSHA, BLS, EPA, DOT and other regulatory bodies. Has the ability to analyze, interpret and apply them.
• Ability and aptitude to grasp technical concepts, formalize ideas, and utilize resources efficiently to recognize hazardous situations and implement practical and feasible corrective measures.
• Ability to apply Root Cause Analysis methodology, regulatory change management, Management of Change Process, Lean Six Sigma methodology and processes, Safety Culture Change Management, and Operational Discipline as it relates to the Authority’s Safety Management Program. 
• Versed in utility-specific industrial safety practices, occupational health and safety requirements, fire protection, traffic safety, and hazardous materials abatement and management.
• Certified Safety Professional (CUSP, CHST, OHST, STS, CSP, and EMT certifications are a plus).
• Five years of Transmission and Distribution field-related construction safety experience is preferred, but not required. 

About Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) is an autonomous agency of the Virgin Islands Government which uniquely provides reliable, affordable, and diversified utility services through knowledgeable and committed personnel and environmentally friendly technologies. WAPA was created by the Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1964 through Act No. 1248. The enabling legislation has been amended to add the responsibility of installing and maintaining street lights to the utility’s mission. In later years, the responsibility for the production and distribution of drinking water was also added. Today, WAPA produces electrical power at plants on St. Thomas and St. Croix and distributes electrical service through smart grids to customers on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Hassel Island, and Water Island.

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