Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00077176	Description Activated On: 6/23/2026 11:35:53 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

The incumbent serves as the Department Human Services (DHS) Safety Coordinator. This position is responsible for the development, management and oversight of the employee safety program for the DHS agency and development of specific DHS related programs that meet regulations and licensures that are tailored to the respective agencies and not included with GOA or Commonwealth-wide programs. Based on promulgation of new regulations and policies, there is an ongoing need to develop new programs and revise existing programs on a frequent basis and in response to ongoing changes in the safety field. The incumbent manages the provisions of the PA Worker and Community Right to Know Program (R2K) with annual Hazardous Substance Survey Forms (HSSF), the Commonwealth’s safety initiative, and the Accident and Illness Prevention Program (AIPP). Included in the management of these programs is the development of agency procedures, the distribution of procedures to all field sites and the monitoring of program compliance through the review of safety committee minutes, site audits, and Human Resource Management Consultations (HRMCs) participation. Major duties to be performed are in the development and monitoring of policy and procedures dealing with safety, as well as training and technical assistance in the areas of safety.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Serves as the HR lead and overall point-of-contact in support of the DHS's Safety Program and on-going effort to improve its safety and health program for compliance with the Commonwealth's Accident and Illness Prevention Program (AIPP).

Administers a comprehensive employee safety and health program in accordance with the Accident and Illness Prevention Program (AIPP) as specified by Act 44. Prepares the annual AIPP Report for the Governor’s Office of Administration. Prepares draft documents for review by chain-of-command for the purpose of establishing and carrying out the AIPP.

Promotes sound safety practices through education and awareness as well as consultation services in development of work site safety programs and health hazards abatement.

Serves as a liaison between the Commonwealth’s consulting firms and GOA regarding DHS agency safety and health related issues.

Performs and/or provides oversight to safety consultants in developing, designing, and conducting training in the areas of Employee Safety, PA Worker and Community Right-to-Know (R2K), AIPP compliance, Safety Culture, Safety Manager/Coordinator role, as a part of the AIPP compliance program, and other topics appropriate to each agencies’ overall safety program. Training maybe provided at seminars, workshops, orientation programs, and various meetings to distribute information and technical guidance to agency staff.

Acts as a liaison with the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and the GOA and shares resources and expertise with other agencies when and where needed.

Performs and/or provides oversight to safety consultants in developing, conducting, coordinating, and implementing specialized training for safety committee members at DHS agency work sites applying for safety committee recognition under the AIPP. This specialized training will cover but not be limited to the areas of Safety Committee Operations, Hazard Identification, and Incident Investigation.

Monitors facilities' and offices' employee safety programs. Serves as the point of contact for all agencies’ safety related issues. Oversees the preparation and analysis of safety statistics, based on local reports. Develops corrective plans, where indicated. Recommends technical assistance and consultation to managers and safety consultants in matters of employees' safety, maintaining contact with specialist (such as, the Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety, Labor and Industry (L&I) etc.), as needed.

Analyzes the reporting of accidents and illnesses in coordination with the Commonwealth’s WRI Services Program to evaluate the effectiveness of the safety program. Make recommendations for modifications to the system to ensure that it provides the information needed by safety managers for the efficient management of sound local safety programs.

Reviews requests for safety training, inspections, and/or consultations from DHS. Identifies appropriate resources (consultants or in-house staff) and coordinates activities with requesting site.

Provides oversight on the maintenance and updates to the respective agencies’ safety manual. Drafts policies needing additions, corrections, or modifications and provides consultation on the material and monitors progress for timeliness and accuracy.

Serves as the Coordinator of the PA Worker and Community Right-to-Know (R2K) Program. Develops policies and procedures to properly implement the requirements of the R2K Act, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA Title III) and Pennsylvania Act 165. Updates policies and procedures, as needed. Acts as the liaison between the GOA, The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and DHS workplaces on all matters pertaining to the implementation of the program's requirements, in compliance with Management Directive 505.27 Amended, The PA Worker and Community Right to Know Act (P.L. 734, No. 159).

Participates as a management representative in the DHS Statewide Health and Safety Committee meetings, addressing safety and occupational health related concerns. Participate also in other building safety and health committees as necessary for headquarters.

Serves as the Workplace Violence Co-Coordinator for the DHS. Analyzes, interprets, disseminates, assists in application of concepts and information related to handling, investigating, and reporting workplace violence. Conduct investigations into WPV allegations or assist/advise others who are conducting such investigations. Ensures that workplace violence incidents are entered into the GOA Database in compliance with Management Directive 205.33 and analyzes data for trend analysis.

Assists with conducting requested Workplace Violence Prevention training programs to DHS staff through various training venues. Provides technical assistance, recommends corrective action, and advises managers on action plans to prevent future incidents.

Serves as the back-up Coordinator for SEAP, FFD, CDL, Drug Testing and Unemployment Compensation.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Make decisions on approval for safety related requests for contracted services, develop policy and procedures that impact the employee safety aspect for all work sites. Identify problems and barriers and make appropriate recommendations for interventions with minimal supervision. Research safety issues and develop a plan of action such as with evacuations and emergency preparedness. Develop and maintain compliance with program elements under AIPP. Work cooperatively with the GOA Safety Coordinator on issues that impacts DHS-wide programs.

Make decisions regarding workplace violence incidents after conducting investigations.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   N/A

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.   N/A

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Develop and implement a variety of DHS employee and safety programs.
2.	Gather, analyze, interpret data and apply data to policies, procedures and regulations.
3.	Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
4.	Effectively present data and conclusions in formal presentations, trainings and in formal consultations.
5.	Read and correctly interpret ambiguous information.
6.	Operate a variety of office equipment such as computers and related software.
7.	Accurately assess programs to ensure adherence to statutory requirements and meet health and safety programs.
8.	Effectively maintain productive and constructive working relationships with diverse personalities.
9.	Provide training in a variety of settings and groups.
10.	Travel to conduct health and safety site reviews and training at various work locations.