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Risk and Safety Lead

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being
performed by people in this category. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all
responsibilities, duties and skills required of people in these positions.

Work Team:
Administration
Reports To:
Staff and HR Manager
Position Classification:
Volunteer
Length of Service:
2-3 years

POSTION SUMMARY

This position is open in August. The Risk and Safety Lead is a full-time risk management and safety job in a remote, North Cascades retreat center accessible only by foot or by boat. We are seeking candidates with a desire to live full-time in Holden Village and help us develop, maintain, and implement widespread risk management systems in the village for staff and guests alike. This role requires technical knowledge of workplace safety standards as well as creativity and passion for making staff and guest experiences safe in the context of remote wilderness. This role will be responsible for establishing safety goals and metrics, coordinating trainings and safety initiatives, maintaining and managing emergency plans, and advising on departmental safety including occupational, recreation/wilderness travel, transportation, hazardous materials, medical safety, mental health, fire safety, and more. Safety in the village is not driven just by policy, but also by training and culture, and this role will be a leader and role model in sharing learning from incidents and near-misses.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS

(principal duties and responsibilities; such as categories supported, staff size, volume managed, etc)

  • Design and implement risk management techniques, strategies, and measures appropriate for each department and based on best practices for each field. Monitor the effectiveness of techniques, collect and report data and trends, and make changes as required.
  • Design and implement safety initiatives like seasonally relevant monthly safety topics. Monitor the effectiveness of initiatives, collect and report data and trends, and make changes as required.
  • Collaborate with relevant departments and teams.
    • Advise departments on safety related regulatory requirements that are relevant to their areas of work.
    • Assist with special project risk management planning.
    • Update and implement Holden’s Accident Prevention Program and relevant safety addendums for logging, carpentry, extreme weather, food service, construction, material safety, electrical safety and more.
    • Collaborate with the Holden Fire Marshal on fire safety initiatives.
    • Collaborate with the Holden Board’s Risk and Safety Committee and village leadership to support risk management goals.
    • Collaborate with the medic for health and wellness initiatives.
    • Manage back up medics and first response team in the absence of a medic.
  • Serve on and ensure the continuation of Holden’s Workplace Safety Committee.
    • Schedule meetings and hold staff elections for committee members when spaces open.
    • Inspect all relevant equipment and maintain safe workplace conditions.
    • Conduct regular safety audits across departments.
    • Create and implement action plans for hazards discussed in the Safety Committee.
  • Manage Holden’s Incident Command (IC) Program in accordance to FEMA guidance.
    • Maintain the IC on call schedule.
    • Conduct and develop IC training methods, including online FEMA courses, tabletop emergency exercises, emergency drills, and regular IC team meetings.
    • Serve on the IC team – be on call by radio and pager for emergency response typically 48 hours per week.
    • Maintain and update emergency response protocols for critical incidents and threats to the village, including medical evacuations, wildfire evacuations, hostile events, and more.
    • Act as a safety liaison for external agencies (contractors for village projects, Sheriff, EMS, Evacuation Transport, Rio Tinto, Forest Service, Medical Director, Mental Health, etc.) to develop trainings, collaborations, and coordinated response efforts.
    • Conduct incident debriefs and coordinate necessary care plans for responders.
  • Provide relevant safety trainings (workplace and recreational focused).
    • Develop and facilitate safety trainings for staff, including general safety orientations, seasonal trainings, emergency response drills, and other relevant safety trainings.
    • Collaborate with the medic team to provide seasonally relevant first response team trainings.
    • Coordinate all aspects of annual Wilderness First Aid trainings and semi-annual Wilderness First Response trainings for staff, in collaboration with the medic team.
  • Manage safety documentation.
    • Handle worker’s compensation claims in concert with the Staffing Office in the event of a workplace accident.
    • File Near Miss Reports, Accident Investigation Reports, and Job Hazard Analyses.
    • File driver insurance documentation and ensure appropriate driver training is provided.
    • Review and submit OSHA required workplace documentation as needed.
    • Review and update safety documentation templates on an annual basis to ensure their efficacy.
    • Review and update Holden’s Accident Prevention Program on an annual basis or more frequently as required.
    • Develop and maintain risk management plans for identified hazards. This includes project specific contractor orientations and expectations, service animal guidelines that reflect the remote wilderness hazards of Holden’s location, winter road risk management plans, and more.
  • Provide oversight for Holden Transport.
    • Work with the Head Driver/Transport Lead to ensure safe driving practices are followed and transport plans are modified to reflect seasonal risks, including fluctuating guest numbers, emergency transport capacity, avalanche risk on the road, and more.
    • In the absence of a Head Driver/Transport Lead, collaborate with Registration and Operations to schedule and manage Holden Transport.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

(position specifications; such as knowledge/education, skills, problem solving/decision making, risk/bottom line results, management responsibility – people and functions)

Specific knowledge and skills include but are not limited to the following:

  • A four-year degree and/or minimum two years’ related work experience is strongly preferred.
  • Technical knowledge of Washington State and federal safety standards.
  • Competency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially with Excel for scheduling and tracking metrics.
  • Strong leadership skills.
  • Ability to remain calm, collected, and clear in emergency scenarios.
  • Commitment and experience practicing justice, equity, and inclusion of diverse leadership skills and abilities.
  • Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate on projects.
  • Strong skills in mediation.
  • Ability to be self-directed.
  • Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and navigating sensitive HR or Medical issues.
  • Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning.
  • Competencies in systems analysis, design, and development.
  • Background in Wilderness Medicine, first aid, and/or CPR is a plus.
  • Recognized Safety Professional Certification is a plus (BCSP, CSP, ASP, etc.)
  • OSHA Certifications are a plus (OSHA 10, 30, etc.)
  • HAZWOPER certification and background in hazardous waste management is a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

As an Employee, you are eligible for the following compensation and benefits:

  • $1650/month stipend
  • Food (three meals/day)
  • Housing, utilities, internet access
  • Free parking at Fields Point
  • Health insurance (medical, dental and vision)
  • Basic life insurance
  • Life Flight membership (emergency helicopter transportation based on medical need)
  • Simple IRA account
  • 42 “out” days per year
  • 14 one-way boat tickets per year
  • 21 friends & family days and 21 half-price friends & family days per year
  • Completion bonus and health insurance grace period upon completion of term, equivalent to the length of term.
  • Access to amazing hiking opportunities, community events, teaching sessions, art studios and other educational opportunities!

Education

Holden Village is a community where your questions are valued and encouraged. Most programs led by visiting teaching faculty occur during the summer months. However, Holden also invites faculty to teach sessions for special events and retreats throughout the rest of the year.
View upcoming summer faculty.