Officer, Risk and Safety Management - Staff

Job Description

 The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Founded in 1957, the SCA is devoted to building access to nature, providing green job opportunities for young people, and teaching members how to become environmental stewards.

Job Title:  Officer, Risk and Safety Management  

Reports To:  Director, Enterprise Risk and Safety Management 

Status: Full-Time Exempt, Regular 

Salary: $70,000-$90,000 Annually 

Location: Remote  

Position Summary: 

The Officer of Risk and Safety Management is responsible for leading the medical information exchange process, supporting risk and safety functions involved in the design, planning and review of SCA programming and implementing the SCA’s Risk and Safety Management plan at the program leadership level. 

This position supports programming and new program design, works directly with the Education and Training Department to ensure adequate and up-to-date risk and safety management curriculum is delivered, leads internal program reviews, and reviews and updates internal policy, procedure, and standard operating procedures. The Officer staffs the 24-hour on-call number to respond to, support, and manage escalated incidents, and as part of the Critical Incident Command Team. The Officer conducts incident reviews and debriefs, and mentors National Program Leadership and local programming leaders to improve risk and safety management thinking and practice. The Officer oversees the design and implementation of the medical information exchange process, and a team of Risk and Safety Associates and contractors. Central to this work is the active pursuit of continuous professional development and learning. 

This position serves as a member of the Program Leadership Team and the Enterprise Operations Team. This position works closely with managers, directors and other leadership members to ensure member readiness, program quality and safety standards alignment across all programs and regions. 

Job Responsibilities: 

Safety Leadership & Program Support 

• Inform national policy frameworks and written guidance for the SCA’s programs. Lead the review and update process annually, ensuring timely completion and distribution. 

• Lead the internal review process annually. Support the Program Leadership Team in following up on and closing out reviews. 

• Design safety and risk management training curriculum for the SCA staff and leaders in collaboration with the Education and Training Department. 

• Provide support, coaching, and mentorship to the program teams and serve as a conduit between the Risk and Safety team and the program teams. 

• Provide support and coaching to SCA support departments including field services, education and training, and human resources departments in interpreting and applying the SCA’s risk management plans and policy framework in the context of their work. 

• Review program and project risk assessments and provide feedback to program and partnership staff. 

• Review vendor vetting information and support vendor selections. 

• Manage the design of the SCA’s first aid kit program. 

• Serve on the Program Leadership Team and Enterprise Operations Team. 

Incident Preparation & Response 

• Serve as a member of the Incident Command team within the Critical Incident Command Structure (ICS), including as the Incident Commander. 

• Facilitate table-top scenarios and discussions for program staff. Participate in and help design crisis management ICS team scenarios. 

• Participate in the 24-hour contact on-call system, including weekends and holidays. 

• Provide coaching and mentorship for programs in designing local emergency response plans.  

• Lead after action debriefs to improve incident response systems. 

• Conduct incident reviews and debriefs. Review incident reports and mentor staff on their completion and updates. 

Participant Planning and Preparation 

• Direct and manage the Medical Information Exchange process including coordinating with Risk & Safety Associate(s), Human Resources, participants, and program teams. 

• Determine physical requirements and working conditions for new positions and programs in collaboration with other stakeholders. 

• Evaluate participant Accommodation Requests.  

• Support program staff and Human Resources with member and leader separation and other corrective action-related decisions. 

Administrative Tasks & Professional Development 

• Manage Risk and Safety Associate(s). 

• Manage and utilize external advisor relationships related to the Medical Information Exchange and incident response. 

• Review SOPs and author SOPs for areas under direct responsibility. 

• Maintain department’s SharePoint site and OneDrive files. 

• Participate in regular and ongoing professional skills development. 

• Other duties that support the department and the SCA’s goals, as assigned. 

Qualifications:  

Required   

• Proven experience in outdoor program management with the ability to set and achieve strategic objectives, hire and train staff, build policy and curricular framework. 

• At least 5 years of progressive responsibility, including skills related to education and training, staffing and human resources, business and partnership development program management, and land management agencies. 

• Strong writing skills. 

• Strong interpersonal communication skills with a proven ability to build rapport and trust, deliver growth-centered feedback and convey complex ideas. 

• Demonstrated proactive, systems-thinking approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capabilities. 

• Experience working with youth and young adults from different backgrounds. 

• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also work independently. 

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands and demonstrate a high level of diligence and response. 

• Ability to hike up to 3 miles over uneven terrain carrying up to 20 lbs. 

Preferred  

• Experience with systems-based incident analysis frameworks, like AcciMapping.  

• Knowledge of the Americans with Disability Act and other aspects of the accommodations process. 

• Experience as a field leader, planning and leading program experiences under a variety of technical mediums and in a variety of locations and environments. 

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and database management systems, like SalesForce.  

• Experience working remotely under a distance-management structure. 

Travel Requirements 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the SCA standards. 

• Ability to drive in a variety of conditions. 
• Ability to travel 30-40 days per year.

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

Equal Opportunity Statement  

The SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.