Occupational Health & Safety Specialist

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

Reporting to the General Counsel & Chief Risk Officer, the Occupational Health & Safety Specialist (“Safety Specialist”) implements, manages and monitors safety programs, policies, procedures and protocols that meet Cal/OSHA and other applicable legal requirements. As a member and key leader of the Health & Safety Committee, the Safety Specialist evaluates the organization’s procedures, facility and equipment by conducting inspections to identify unsafe conditions and to implement safeguards and solutions. The Safety Specialist ensures the organization complies with all current safety regulations and that all employees are aware of safety requirements and are prepared to follow safety procedures. They will collect data, report on all safety events and analyze these situations in order to recommend improvements.  

This person serves as  the Academy’s Chemical Safety Officer, Respiratory Protection Officer, and Radiation Safety Officer, leads the Hazardous Materials Committee, and supports the Academy’s emergency preparedness, environmental compliance, and incident management programs. This position also ensures compliance with Federal, State and Local safety and environmental regulations and that all required programs, permits, inspections, and documentation remain current.

• →In health and safety matters, acts as the primary assistant to the Academy’s head of health, safety and risk management
• →Serves as a subject matter expert for Cal/OSHA regulations and other safety standards as they apply to Academy activities
• →Serves as a health & safety subject matter expert for the Health & Safety Committee, Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, Pest Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and the Security Department.
• →Act as management’s representative in negotiations with the labor union in matters concerning occupational health and safety. 
• →Modifies/creates health and safety related programs for the Academy and its activities and conduct risk assessments related to employee activities, public-facing exhibits, educational programs, collections operations, and special events
• →Provide coordination, support, and ensure documentation for all required health & safety meetings, trainings, assessments, certifications, permits, licenses, exposure tests, and equipment 
• →Provide guidance and assistance to Academy Health and Safety Monitors and Hazardous Materials Monitors
• →Lead or assist with internal and external safety inspections necessary to ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal occupational health and hazardous materials regulations
• →Responsible for negotiation of compliance issues with regulatory agencies as necessary and track any response to citations/violations should they occur. 
• →Identifies institutional and material resources needed to accomplish program management objectives. Develops and presents annual budgetary requirements for assigned program operations. 
• →Develops, implements, and continually updates safety and environmental health policies and programs to comply with local, state, and federal regulations. Identifies, measures, and improves environmental health and safety processes. 
• →Review contractor, vendor, and fieldwork safety plans and provide guidance to ensure compliance with safety requirements
• →Investigate safety incidents, injuries, illnesses, and near misses; track safety data, identify trends, develop methods to predict hazards, evaluate the probability and severity of incidents and recommend corrective and preventative actions
• →Create and deliver health & safety training modules for staff
• →Follow all Academy safety regulations 
• →Other duties as assigned 

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in safety, occupational health, engineering, or related degree.
• 3 to 7 years relevant experience in working in health and safety.
• Certifications in the field of occupational health & safety are highly desirable.
• Passionate about safety performance improvement 
• Demonstrated ability to locate and interpret relevant safety regulations.
• Strong track record of managing complex projects with diverse teams, tight deadlines, set budgets.
• Experience with creating, implementing, and managing programs to satisfy Cal/OSHA regulations and other standards of health and safety.

• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Working knowledge of incident investigation methodologies, root cause analysis, and corrective action management.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials management, hazardous waste regulations, environmental compliance programs, and emergency response procedures.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with employees, managers, contractors, regulators, and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to follow supervisor’s instructions and ask for direction and assistance when necessary.
• Strong computer skills: Google suite, Windows, Microsoft Office and the ability to to learn other online tools as needed.

• Ability to read and interpret documents in English including safety regulations. 
• Ability to write correspondence, reports, policies and protocols related to safety topics. 
• Ability to speak effectively before groups or individuals.  
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and via teleconferencing with a diverse workforce and external stakeholders..