Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Specialist, LBTO (Safford, AZ)

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) is among the most powerful optical/infrared telescopes in the world, with two 8.4m-diameter mirrors on a single mount, located on the summit of Mount Graham near Safford, Arizona. The Observatory features a sophisticated suite of instruments for optical and infrared imaging and spectroscopy, supported by Adaptive Optics. The LBT is driving discoveries for cosmic sources ranging from exoplanets around nearby stars, to some of the most distant galaxies in the universe. The Observatory is operated by an international consortium of leading research institutions and functions administratively as part of the University of Arizona, with offices in Tucson.

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBTO) is seeking a Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Specialist (Environmental Health and Safety Professional II) to assist with the implementation of the Observatory's HSE Management System. Based in Safford, Arizona, this position will report to the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Manager and supports Observatory-wide health and safety initiatives. The ideal candidate will be proactively involved in developing, implementing, and monitoring LBTO and University health and safety programs to reduce risk, ensure compliance, and promote safety as a core value among staff and visitors to the Observatory. This position will also be expected to assist in emergency response team development under the direction of the HSE Manager, Emergency Response Team (ERT) Coordinator/Trainer, and site Medical Director.

This position requires daily travel with the day crew from the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) Base Camp in Safford, AZ, to the summit of Mount Graham, a remote site at 10,500 feet in elevation. Travel time is included in each 10-hour workday, and shifts are scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm. The Schedule can be either Monday through Thursday or Tuesday through Friday each week.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Safety Inspections, Hazard & Risk Assessment, and Compliance:

• Identify workplace hazards, evaluate risks, recommend corrective
  actions, and follow up to verify that safety concerns are addressed.
• Perform and document various occupational health and safety hazard and
  risk assessments, recommend controls, and assist in the integration of controls
  into Observatory operations.
• Assist in the development, updating, and implementation of safe work plans and
  procedures such as pre-task plans, control of hazardous energy procedures, fall
  rescue plans, and critical lift plans.
• Support the development and updating of Observatory Standard Operating Procedures
  (SOPs), ensuring safety hazard identification and controls are accurately
  integrated into SOPs.
• Conduct HSE inspections and audits, provide documentation of findings, and follow-up on
  corrective actions.
• Evaluate compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations, as well as Observatory
  and University policies and procedures.
• Provide technical safety guidance in areas including:
  • Fall protection and working at heights.
  • Electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and arc-flash hazards.
  • Rigging, lifting operations, and critical lifts.
  • Scaffolding and elevated work platforms.
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Confined space evaluation and entry.
  • Welding, hot work, and fire prevention.
  • Equipment operation and operator qualifications.
  • Construction activities and contractor safety.

Training and Safety Culture:

• Promote worker and visitor health and safety at the Observatory.
• Coordinate, schedule, and deliver safety training for employees,
  visitors, and contractors.
• Review visitor and contractor safety plans. When needed, assist personnel and
  management with the development of safety plans.
• Manage the online
  safety training system, currently HSI. Communicate training status reports and
  schedule third-party
  training when required.
• May help to individually design on-line, virtual, or blended training classes on a wide
  variety of HSE subjects.

HSE Management System, Program Administration, and Continual
Improvement:

• Maintain HSE records, inspection findings, corrective action
  documentation, and regulatory reports.
• Review and update HSE and relevant operations policies, procedures,
  forms, and technical guidance to reflect current regulations, industry
  standards, and organizational needs.
• Ensure the inspection and maintenance of safety equipment, including personal
  protective equipment (PPE), emergency response equipment, and environmental monitoring equipment.
• Collaborate with the Steward Observatory Safety Committee and the
  University of Arizona EHS Team, as needed, to communicate program progress, challenges, and improvement opportunities.

Incident Investigation and Emergency Response:

• Respond to workplace safety incidents and assist in coordinating
  appropriate follow-up activities.
• Conduct incident investigations, identify root causes and contributing
  factors, and recommend preventive and corrective measures.
• Prepare accurate incident reports, investigation documentation, and
  post-incident summaries in collaboration with HSE leadership.
• Support emergency preparedness, response planning, and continuous
  improvement initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the site advanced Emergency Response Team (ERT)
  and respond to emergencies under the direction of the site Emergency Response
  Coordinator and Medical Director.

Knowledge,
Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Working knowledge of occupational health and safety principles, hazard identification, risk assessment, safety management systems, and workplace inspections and audits.
• Familiarity with OSHA and applicable federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Understanding of engineering principles, particularly those related to mechanical, structural, and/or electrical systems.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials, environmental hazards, and waste management requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver effective safety training and presentations and write technical documents, such as standard operating procedures, safety instructions, procedures, and programs.
• Ability to communicate technical safety requirements clearly to employees, contractors, and personnel with a broad range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, or comparable productivity and presentation software.

Physical
Requirements and Environmental Demands:

• Ability to work at heights up to 150 feet from the ground and utilize personal fall protection equipment.
• Ability to physically access enclosures dictated by the structural design of the telescope for routine and non-routine inspections and training purposes.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders and work at 10,500 feet altitude.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle on mountain, dirt, and gravel roads in conditions that may include snow and/or ice.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Health,
  Emergency Management, and/or Industrial Hygiene, or a related field, or
  equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in
  Occupational Safety, Health, Emergency Management and/or Industrial Hygiene
  required.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Professional safety certification, such as Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), or a comparable credential.
  
• Applicants who have the ability to obtain and maintain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and perform associated emergency medical response duties will be given preference.
  
• Experience in construction safety, contractor oversight, or high-risk industrial operations.
  
• Experience working with observatory facilities, research infrastructure, or complex technical environments.
  
• Fall Protection Competent Person training or Critical Lift Competent Person training.
  
• NFPA 70E electrical safety training.
  
• Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer 10- and 30-hour courses in either General Industry or Construction Industry.