Safety & Risk Specialist JD Advantage

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

One City. Building a Culture of Safety Together.

Safety is more than policies and procedures—it’s a shared commitment. As the Safety and Risk Specialist, you’ll help shape a culture where employees are empowered with the knowledge, training, and resources to work safely every day. By leading safety programs, managing compliance efforts, and promoting continuous improvement, you’ll make a meaningful difference for employees across the organization while helping the City deliver exceptional service to the community.

Why this role matters:
The work you do protects our most valuable resource—our people. By preventing injuries, reducing organizational risk, and ensuring employees have the training and resources to perform their jobs safely, you’ll help keep City operations running efficiently while safeguarding the employees who serve our community every day. Your efforts directly support a healthier workforce, stronger public services, and a safer future.

Typical Tasks

Safety Program Development & Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve department safety, accident prevention, and risk management programs that align with City-wide safety goals and operational procedures.
• Identify and assess workplace hazards, evaluate risks, recommend corrective and preventive actions, and monitor the effectiveness of implemented safety controls.
• Analyze safety trends, maintain records, and recommend process improvements to strengthen compliance, accountability, and organizational performance.
• Collaborate with department leadership and employees to foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Training & Employee Development

• Assess employee training needs and coordinate safety training programs with the Safety and Risk Management Department and external training providers.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver classroom and hands-on training on topics such as OSHA compliance, hazard recognition, PPE, emergency procedures, and other safety initiatives.
• Monitor employee training progress, evaluate third-party training effectiveness, and maintain training records to ensure compliance and achievement of organizational objectives.
• Assist with developing departmental training budgets and purchasing training programs and related materials consistent with City guidelines.

Incident Investigation & Continuous Improvement

• Coordinate accident and incident investigations with supervisors and managers to identify root causes and develop corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor corrective actions through completion, communicate investigation findings to leadership, and apply lessons learned to improve training, procedures, and overall workplace safety.
• Track safety metrics and accident trends to identify opportunities for proactive risk reduction and improved safety performance.

Safety Inspections & Regulatory Compliance

• Conduct or oversee facility and worksite safety inspections to identify hazards and ensure compliance with OSHA and other applicable regulations.
• Document inspection findings, coordinate corrective actions with department leadership, verify the effectiveness of implemented controls, and maintain inspection records.
• Serve as the department’s backup liaison with regulatory agencies such as OSHA and the EPA, as needed.

Return-to-Work & Employee Support

• Coordinate temporary light-duty assignments and return-to-work plans for injured employees in collaboration with supervisors, managers, and employees.
• Monitor employee progress, coordinate workplace accommodations, ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations, and maintain communication throughout the return-to-work process.

Communication & Reporting

• Prepare reports on safety performance, training activities, compliance, and workforce development initiatives for department leadership.
• Communicate safety initiatives, policy updates, and program changes through regular safety meetings and ongoing collaboration with departments.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a related field

Experience:

Five (5) years of related experience or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training sufficient to effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Other Requirements:

Valid Class C Driver’s License

Preferred, but not required (must obtain within 1 year of hire):

NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400 and 700

Completion of the OSHA 30-hour general industry program, OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) or MESH (Manger of Environmental, Safety, and Health) certification from an accredited organization such as NCCA or CESB or nationally recognized accrediting.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Office Work: Primarily sedentary, involving prolonged sitting, computer use, telephone and office equipment operation, and standard office tasks. Requires visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity for reviewing documents, analyzing data, and completing administrative responsibilities.

Field Work: May require standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting or carrying objects up to 10 pounds occasionally. Employees may encounter uneven terrain, traffic and outdoor weather conditions and must use appropriate personal protective equipment.

General Requirements: The position involves occasional travel to meetings, events, or weather-related response. Often handles multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and maintains situational awareness. All work is performed in compliance with applicable State and Federal OSHA regulations, including hazard communication, personal protective equipment, and slip, trip, and fall prevention.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with frequent use of standard office equipment and computers. The position requires occasional travel to City facilities, construction sites, and public rights-of-way to assess accessibility, monitor compliance, and conduct inspections. The incumbent may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, construction environments, and varying levels of accessibility challenges, and may be required to walk, stand, or navigate uneven surfaces for extended periods.

The position may require evening or weekend work to attend meetings, public hearings, or training sessions, and occasional lifting or carrying of materials. The incumbent must handle sensitive and confidential information related to disability accommodations and accessibility complaints, communicate effectively with employees, management, elected officials, and the public, and may participate in emergency operations and disaster-recovery activities as assigned.

Our Core Values:

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.

What we offer:

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Applicant Status Updates: After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.

Health Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

Health Insurance – The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.

• Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.

**This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Human-Resources/Benefits for more information.**