SUMMARY
The Safety Operations Officer is responsible for supporting a robust safety program that incorporates planning, prevention, response, recovery, and related initiatives including training, practice drills, active monitoring of safety practices, and motivational tools to inspire employees to actively participate in and support high levels of compliance and cooperation. This position promotes the incorporation of an institutional culture of safety into all policies, procedures, meetings, planning efforts, and budgeting considerations in order to enhance safety and reduce the potential for accidents and incidents at the Birmingham Zoo, Inc. (BZI).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Collaborate with the Manager of Operations to plan, implement, and assess regular emergency drills, ensuring staff readiness and compliance with AZA accreditation standards.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, AZA, and other regulatory workplace safety standards.
- Address non-compliant or substandard situations by working with department managers and staff to develop timely, feasible, and cost-effective solutions.
- Maintain and update SDS and other hazard communication materials.
- Coordinate firearms training for the Emergency Weapons Team with Director and General Curator.
- Manage radio repairs and purchases in collaboration with the Manager of Operations.
- Oversee and coordinate staff training in workplace health and safety programs, including heavy equipment operation, hazardous material handling, fall protection, confined space protocols, lockout/tagout, first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and PPE. Provide safety training records to Human Resources.
- Assist the Manager of Operations and Deputy Director with safety and security-related projects.
- Serve as Ride Safety Lead, ensuring all rides are maintained in safe working order and all policies and protocols are up to date.
- Conduct routine perimeter fence checks biweekly and after major storm events.
- Oversee AZA drill documentation and compliance.
- Act as liaison between the security company and the Zoo.
- Manage key distribution, replication, and logging.
- Participate in Manager on Duty (MOD) rotation.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Safety Operations Officer does not have direct reports but provides guidance on safety protocols, emergency procedures, and regulatory compliance. They collaborate with department managers to ensure adherence to safety standards, coordinate training and drills, and serve as a point of contact for safety concerns.
SAFETY ANALYSIS
The Safety Operations Officer is impacted by hazardous exposures common to the industry. Some of the following exposures will occur daily:
- Exposure to unusual elements, such as dirt, dust, fumes, extreme temperatures, humidity, darkness, and/or noise.
- Hazards associated with ride operation and maintenance.
- The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents and chemicals
- Equipment operation requiring the use of personal protective equipment such as ear and eye protection.
- The hazards of working with electricity.
- Understanding the protocols surrounding working in confined spaces.
Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the Zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection. The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory. The Safety Operations Officer bears overall responsibility for making sure that all staff members under their direction are trained on the proper use of safety equipment.
The Safety Operations Officer is responsible for keeping safety policies and procedures for the Zoo updated.
The Safety Operations Officer, as with any staff member of the Zoo, is required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to management or Human Resources.
The Safety Operations Officer must be familiar with radio protocols and all animal safety protocols.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect the following:
- Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls; and communicate with others
- Frequently required to walk/move across the Zoo, access and move items high up or low to the ground
- Communicate effectively with staff and animals.
- May be required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
- Routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Exposure to wet surfaces.
- Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.
