Construction Safety and Health Officer

Job Description

GPTech is seeking a Construction Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) to support the Department of State (DOS) Engineering Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. The objective of these contracts is to obtain the full range of engineering and administrative expertise necessary to assist and support the DOS Office of Construction Management (CM) build and renovate diplomatic facilities abroad. The CSHO will provide the DOS Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) with professional expertise, advice, and guidance relating specifically to construction project site safety and health issues. This position will be located in the given task order location.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all phases of building construction operations, including site development, excavation, foundation, superstructure, exterior walls, mechanical systems, electrical, and interior finish work. The CSHO ensures contractor and sub-contractor compliance with governing OBO construction safety regulations.
• Serve as safety resource to OBO and assist in complying with safety standards; provide consultation, guidance, and technical assistance on matters related to workplace safety and security, including assisting in the development of OBO-specific safety manuals and forms and advising of proper recordkeeping requirements; establish standards and develop controls or work processes specifically to minimize or eliminate hazards and maintain consistency with safety policy; disseminate information as appropriate.
• Ensure that the construction contractor is in compliance with U.S. Department of State and local host country construction safety and health rules and regulations at the project site.
• Inspect, assess, and report on construction contractor safety programs at the project site to ensure OBO safety and health requirements are being properly implemented.
• Provide advice and direction to OBO/Project Director; develop, implement, and manage Injury/Illness Prevention Program and direct and coordinate the participation of OBO, the general contractor, and Post within that program; and create or modify safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety inspection of facilities, worksites, equipment, work practices, and safety devices to ensure compliance with required workplace safety standards and regulations; report findings to management and recommend changes to establish safe work conditions; compel cessation of work, as necessary, to address potential imminent hazards; monitor change and/or make follow-up inspections.
• Oversee and monitor construction contractor compliance with safety and health provisions of the construction contract by conducting daily onsite inspections to evaluate the effectiveness of the contractor’s safety program to comply with OBO requirements.
• Ensure that qualified, competent persons have been designated at the project site to conduct scheduled sanitation and health inspections of food service, mess facilities, toilets, washrooms, and change areas.
• Ensure the effectiveness of emergency evacuation plans in case of fire or other emergencies. Verify that OBO and contractor plans are tested and evaluated to ensure effectiveness.
• Apply procedures and guidelines to eliminate or control hazardous conditions resulting from human, equipment, and machine operations errors that may lead to injury of persons and/or damage to property. Provide advice to avoid construction accidents.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Maintain proper documentation to conform to OSHA recordkeeping requirements.
• Review contractor safety programs; periodically perform site inspections to ensure safety of construction sites.
• Investigate serious accidents and/or incidents of injury or property damage at worksites to ascertain cause and need for corrective action; develop and implement measures and strategies to prevent their recurrence; advise as to the keeping of records and coordinate the compilation of information necessary for risk management files and reports.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Project Director and/or Contracting Officer Representative.

Qualifications

• Two-year Associate of Arts Degree or an Associate Technical Degree from an accredited university in the United States and a minimum of 7 years’ experience managing commercial building construction safety programs
• Certified Safety Professional or Certified Industrial Hygienist
• Possess a current OSHA 40-hour construction safety certification
• Working knowledge of acceptable products and procedures for onsite construction according to U.S. standards
• Knowledge of international codes
• Experience working with multilateral or bilateral donors, such as U.S. Agency for International Development, World Bank, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency
• Experience in assessing and responding to requests for information
• Possess excellent writing skills and knowledge of Microsoft Suite, i.e., PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
• Knowledge of construction safety regulations, e.g., EM 385-1-1, OSHA
• Ability to obtain and retain a Secret security clearance
• Willingness to travel worldwide
• Professional Engineering registration is preferred
• Overseas experience preferred