Senior Environmental Health & Safety Specialist - Workers Compensation

Overview:

Join Valley Water as a Senior Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Specialist and play a critical role in protecting the well-being of our workforce while ensuring compliance with safety and health standards. In this high-impact role, you will lead our Workers’ Compensation program from start to finish—managing third-party administration, occupational safety and health (OSH) medical services, insurance, modified work, and case management.

You will be the Program Lead for key EH&S initiatives, including Employee Training, serving as the Designated Employee Representative (DER) for Commercial Drivers, and overseeing Infection Control, Hearing Conservation, Ergonomics and Respiratory Protection programs. Your expertise will also support essential safety functions such as Facility Safety Audits, ensuring our employees have the safest work environment possible.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence safety culture, collaborate with leaders across the organization, and directly contribute to a healthier, safer workplace for all Valley Water employees.

Our Commitment: 
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

 

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage Valley Water’s Workers’ Compensation program, including third-party administration, OSH medical services, insurance, modified work, return-to-work, and case management.
• Serve as the Program Lead for Employee Training, Designated Employee Representative (DER) for Commercial Drivers, Infection Control, Hearing Conservation, Ergonomics,  and Respiratory Protection programs.
• Support the Lockout-Tagout program by overseeing lock/tag inventory and equipment needs, and conduct Facility Safety Audits to identify and address hazards.
• Oversee the injury management process, from initial reporting to medical treatment coordination and return-to-work facilitation.
• Partner with managers and teams to identify hazards and develop prevention strategies that foster a proactive safety culture.
• Conduct workplace inspections and audits to ensure compliance with applicable safety regulations and standards.
• Investigate incidents, accidents, and near-misses, providing clear, actionable recommendations for prevention.
• Offer expert guidance on environmental, health, and safety matters, promoting awareness, compliance, and best practices.
• Mentor and lead staff, assigning tasks, reviewing work, and developing their skills in EH&S functions.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

• Five (5) years of analytical experience developing and administering workers compensation, environmental, health, and safety programs and projects. One (1) year of technical lead/supervisory experience at the project level
• Proven track record of implementing and administering Workers' Compensation programs, including managing injury cases and facilitating return-to-work programs.
• Experience in developing and delivering safety training programs, with a focus on engaging and educating diverse employee populations.
• Strong background in conducting safety inspections, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Experience in collaborating with regulatory agencies and external stakeholders on environmental, health, and safety initiatives.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional communication skills to effectively engage with employees at every level.
• Strategic thinking with a proactive, solution-focused mindset.
• Comprehensive understanding of workers’ compensation and occupational safety laws.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and EH&S reporting tools.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to ongoing professional growth in EH&S best practices.
• Skilled in accident investigation, root cause analysis, and risk reduction strategies.
• Ability to recommend policies and programs that comply with laws and minimize organizational risk.

Ideal Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of Workers’ Compensation regulations and OSHA/DOT safety requirements.
• Understanding of injury management, return-to-work strategies, and medical protocols.
• Familiarity with adult learning principles and effective training design.
• Knowledge of hazard identification, risk assessments, and emergency preparedness.
• Awareness of emerging EH&S trends and technologies.

Ideal Training and Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in industrial safety, construction technology, environmental sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, or a related field. 

Substitution:

• Directly related experience may be substituted on the basis of one and one-half years of experience for the one year of education.

 

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here (Download PDF reader)

Environmental, Health, and Safety Unit (Position Code 644) 
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite, after completion of the probationary period (one year).