Safety Specialist

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is seeking a Safety Specialist to join the Facilities Team. The Safety Specialist serves a key role in implementing and improving programs to ensure a safe environment for all. Seattle Aquarium complies with various safety and environmental regulatory agencies such as Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), and more. The Safety Specialist collaborates closely with all other Aquarium departments, under direction of the Safety Manager and VP of Facilities, and partners on short- and long-term projects.

All positions at the Aquarium support and advance our SALISH Values (Sustainable, Awe-Inspiring, Learning and Improving, Inclusive Community, Scientific Integrity, Honoring Place). As a part of our values, the Aquarium is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We adopted a DEI strategic plan and Regenerative Plan. We envision a future in which ocean and coastal communities survive and thrive, where we can meet the needs of the present while building more resilient and equitable systems for the future.

As part of our inclusive community value, work experience is valued the same as education degrees. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about safety, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

Key functions:

• Upholds a culture of safety that meets both the spirit and content of laws, regulations, and standards for Aquarium activities.
• Develops, implements, and administers policies, procedures, and guidelines for L&I, OSHA, and AZA-mandated programs across all Aquarium departments; coordinates and writes related reports.
• Updates safety-related documents including policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Administers in-person and web-based safety training and orientation modules.
• Collaborates cross-departmentally to enhance safety protocols.
• Coordinates with other departments to develop, write, and implement emergency plans and policies.
• Participates in and supports administration of the Aquarium’s safety committee.
• Supports the maintenance, operations, safety, security, engineering, and exhibits teams/functions with safety-related items.
• Supports administration of the following Aquarium safety-related services:
  1. ADP learning management system
  2. SDS tracking database
  3. Emaint computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
  4. AlertMedia emergency notification system

• Uphold Seattle Aquarium’s S.A.L.I.S.H values, to foster an inclusive community for staff, guests, and all who engage with the maintenance team. All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our values.
• Other duties as assigned, as appropriate for level of position.

Required skills:
The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

• Effective interpersonal, verbal/written communication, and report-writing skills required.  Multilingual and multicultural communication skills and experience are preferred.
• Ability to work independently and seek guidance when met with uncertainty.
• Knowledge or interest in environmental health and safety compliance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and foster partnerships across various departments.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively use computers. Must interact with web-based administration platforms and proficiently use Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.   Strong ability to build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. Ability to approach others from an empathetic, authentic, and curious perspective.
• The following training/certifications are provided by the Aquarium and must be successfully completed in first 180 days of employment (and maintained thereafter).
  • 24-hr Fall Protection Competent Person
  • Confined Space Competent Person
  • CPR/First Aid/AED Certification
  • Scissor/Boom Lift Certification
  • Incident Command System Training

Required education and experience:  We will consider various combinations of relevant experience and education in order to meet minimum requirements:

• STARs (workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes) are encouraged to apply; a 4-year degree is not required for this role.
• 1-2 years of combined relevant education and experience in health and safety, public safety, industrial hygiene, security, engineering, science and/or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of or interest in safety and/or environmental regulations associated with Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Washington State Department of Ecology.
• Demonstrated ability to write detailed reports, collaborate effectively across various departments, and implement changes to operations.

Working conditions:

• Work occurs in all areas of all Aquarium facilities and infrequently in extreme conditions (inclement weather, at heights, around electrical hazards, etc.).  On occasion safety audits will be conducted from a boat.        Candidates who know how to swim would be allowed to do these tasks.
• Most work is performed in a typical office setting with frequent interruptions. Other work areas include outdoor environments with the occasional need for travel.
• Some exposure to elements as employees are located in campus environment with multiple buildings, outdoor and semi-covered areas.  Staff move between Aquarium buildings in all types of weather to participate in meetings.

• This position occasionally involves walking and working on uneven, slippery surfaces, climbing up and down ladders and working in a confined space.
• Must be flexible for occasional evening, early morning, or weekend hours in support of events and projects.

Salary and benefits: $31.25 – $35.09/hour. Dependent on experience. Please include salary expectations in your materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse, equitable, and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, languages, cultural ways of knowing, and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color, trans and gender non-conforming people, immigrants, people with disabilities, and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

SeattleAquarium.org/careers

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at jobs@seattleaquarium.org.

Note: If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.

About the Seattle Aquarium: 

The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our passionate staff increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing an inspiring visitor experience, engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.

Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community, maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 850,000 people each year. Guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment, we’re working to substantially increase our conservation impact by expanding our campus with a new building, the Ocean Pavilion. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org.

Timeline:

We anticipate the following recruiting schedule for those candidates who are selected for consideration. The following dates are preliminary and subject to change. We will work with candidates to set interview dates. If hired, relocation assistance is not available.

• Application deadline: Open until filled.
• Interviews completed by August 1.
• Start date: ASAP.