Safety Specialist - Operations and Construction

The City of Naperville seeks a Safety Specialist – Operations and Construction to provide generalist safety support to Naperville’s operational and field construction functions with primary alignment to Water/Wastewater Utility and Public Works activities. This position partners with employees to conduct field inspections, strengthen hazard identification and job planning, develop and maintain safe work procedures, deliver targeted training, and support incident/near-miss investigations and corrective action management. The role emphasizes practical, field-ready risk controls applicable across industrial operations and public works construction environments including contractor oversight.

Naperville’s public-sector operations are covered under the Illinois OSHA-approved State Plan (Illinois Department of Labor, Division of Occupational Safety and Health), and work activities are subject to applicable OSHA requirements.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $74,020.50 to $81,422.55 per year commensurate with credentials and experience. The Pay Grade for this position is E235. For additional information, click here. (Download PDF reader)

Duties

• Conducts routine field inspections/observations of Water/Wastewater and Public Works operations and construction activities (plants, pump stations, distribution/collection systems, streets/ROW work, facilities, shops/yards, and contractor sites). Documents findings and tracks corrective actions to closure.
• Partners with supervisors and crews to identify hazards, assess risk, and recommend practical, field-ready controls aligned with how the work is performed (including sequencing, access, equipment limitations, and environmental conditions).
• Reviews and strengthens job planning and job briefings (tailboards) for high-risk or non-routine work; provides coaching to supervisors and crews to improve hazard recognition and control selection.
• Participates in and/or facilitates Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and risk assessments for new, changing, or non-routine tasks, equipment, processes, and work methods.
• Supports development, revision, and field-validation of safe work procedures, permits, and related tools (checklists/forms) for industrial and construction activities common to Water/Wastewater and Public Works, such as:
  1. Confined space entry and rescue coordination (where applicable to roles and resources)
  2. Hazardous chemicals (receipt, storage, transfer, and use) and chemical inventory controls
  3. Excavation/trenching and utility locating
  4. Work zone traffic control and roadway exposure controls
  5. Lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and shop equipment safety
  6. Lifting/rigging, cranes/hoists, and material handling
  7. Fleet safety, shop safety, and contractor interfaces
  8. Storeroom/warehouse hazards (powered industrial trucks, racking, storage, and handling)
• Develops and delivers targeted safety training and briefings aligned with operational needs and coordinates training with departmental resources as needed.
• Conducts and/or supports incident and near-miss investigations; applies root cause methods and ensures corrective and preventive actions are defined, assigned, tracked, and verified for effectiveness.
• Provides technical input for PPE and equipment readiness expectations (selection, use, inspection, and care) aligned with task hazards and operational conditions.
• Supports contractor safety expectations by assisting with pre-work alignment, field verification, and feedback loops to departmental leadership.
• Maintains records and documentation associated with inspections, training, corrective actions, and program activities for compliance and historical purposes.
• Coordinates with the Safety Manager and departmental leadership to support safety goals, leading indicators, and continuous improvement activities aligned with Naperville’s safety program roadmap.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
  
  Naperville recognizes this is a broad, generalist role; candidates are not expected to have deep expertise in every hazard area. The position is intended for a safety professional who can provide practical support across multiple operational and construction environments and who can coordinate resources and subject matter expertise when needed.
  
  Note: The Safety Specialist – Operations and Construction position requires travel to and field work at Naperville jobsites and facilities, including walking on uneven terrain and in outdoor conditions. Additionally, the role involves climbing stairs and ladders and accessing work areas as needed for observation/inspection. Field activities may involve exposure to weather extremes, noise, traffic, construction hazards, chemicals, and other conditions typical of water/wastewater operations, public works facilities, shops/yards, and utility construction environments.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, construction management, or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in occupational safety supporting industrial operations, construction, public works, utilities, or a closely related environment.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be substituted.
• Demonstrated experience performing field inspections/observations and developing or maintaining safe work procedures and/or safety programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting incident investigations and corrective action management.
• Training experience (design, delivery, or oversight of technical training).
• Valid State of Illinois Driver’s License. 

Preferred:

• Safety certification such as CSP, CIH, CHST, ASP, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting water/wastewater treatment operations and/or public works construction activities.
• Solid understanding of OSHA regulations and best practices applicable to public works/utility operations and construction, with demonstrated ability to recommend practical, field-ready solutions.
• Persuasive communication and mentoring skills with credibility among field crews and supervisors.

Additional Information

The City of Naperville, Illinois is a dynamic community of 153,000 residents, conveniently located 28 miles west of Chicago.  Various publications have named Naperville as one of the best cities in the United States in which to live.  The City has gained national recognition for our family-friendly environment, excellent schools and library system, low crime rate, and vibrant downtown area.  It’s also a great place to work!  Our municipal government employs over 900 dedicated individuals in a wide range of job categories and provides a collaborative working environment, a forward-looking leadership team, and a competitive benefits package.

Click here (Download PDF reader) to learn more about the benefits offered by the City of Naperville.

Applications should be completed thoroughly, and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but should be attached to the application.  Include all requested education, experience, attachments, and other information when applying. Incomplete applications are subject to rejection. Notifications to applicants will be sent electronically to the email address provided in the application.

THE CITY OF NAPERVILLE IS AN E. O. E.

CLICK HERE (Download PDF reader) for the City of Naperville’s EEOP Utilization Report

The City of Naperville complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify Human Resources in advance at (630) 305-7066.