Associate Specialist

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate Specialist/Specialist reports directly to the Health & Safety Supervisor and will support the Health, Safety, & Environmental (HSE) Department. Under general supervision, the Associate Specialist/Specialist implements, reinforces and adheres to programs, policies, procedures and processes in support of Cheniere’s Health, Safety, & Environmental strategies, including but not limited to: emergency response, accident prevention, risk management, investigations, root cause analysis, safety compliance, aspects of safety management systems, and assist with other general safety and health tasks.  The Associate Specialist/Specialist maintains a good working knowledge of a wide variety of safety regulations and practices.  The Associate Specialist/Specialist is responsible for performing and ensuring safety tasks necessary to maintain compliance with various federal, state and local regulatory requirements.  Other duties may include performing audits, inspections, field observations of high-risk activities, providing technical advice to operations/maintenance, assisting in the preparation of presentations and reports, and interpretation of data. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Performs the duties of an Associate Specialist/Specialist in a 12-hour daily rotational shift environment, which can include holidays, weekends and nights.

• File and record safety and health documentation in the corporate document management system and Company Incident Management System as needed or directed.

• Complete various tasks related to safety and health, including routine inspections and participating in and overseeing safety information documentation to facilitate operations and/or safety and health projects.

• Assist with safety programs designed to educate, train and motivate personnel to minimize occupational incidents, injuries and hazards. Support the implementation of the safety program, procedures, guidelines and work methods for operations and maintenance activities, making safety recommendations as needed.

• Specify, select, maintain and recommend safety and personal protective equipment needed for employee safety.

• Document and report safety conditions to Production, Operations & Maintenance staff, Health & Safety Supervisor and Superintendent, and HSE Manager as needed or as requested.

• Provide safety and health representation, advice, guidance and support to LNG Operations & Maintenance staff.      Provide continuous reporting and compliance documentation to Health & Safety Supervisor, H&S Superintendent and HSE Manager. May perform initial response and notifications to incidents or releases.

• Assist Operations and Maintenance staff on higher risk work permitting activities. Serves as subject matter expert for safety related field activities and ensure adherence to Cheniere Health and Safety program requirements.

• Conduct or participate in investigations of safety incidents, near misses, and good catches.  Facilitate initial reports and initiate investigations to determine root cause of safety incidents. 

• Conduct data entry in Cheniere’s Incident Management System and assist in development and maintenance of other safety programs as requested.

• Participate in site safety meetings and safety committee meetings.

• Monitor hazardous work and participate in planning and execution of work events that are non-routine or have elevated levels of risk.

• Have a strong command of the operation of portable gas meters and have the ability to understand the readings and determine the potential risks and mitigations.

• Evaluate and identify federal, state and local regulatory requirements and assist in the development and execution of policies, procedures, permits and/or execution strategy.  Assist with the review and oversight of all new regulatory initiatives ensuring compliance with existing regulations dealing with safety for the facility and personnel.  Assist with the review of all major capital projects and other projects to ensure compliance with safety and regulations.

• The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Knowledge:

Possess a basic understanding of LNG (or other cryogenic hydrocarbon liquids), transportation, storage and processing including safety, operations, governmental regulations and associated codes and standards. Familiarity with safety and health designs, specifications, and requirements/regulations to operate LNG facilities.  Understands the various applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and standards and permits required to operate an LNG facility, including but not limited to:  DOT, OSHA, USCG, FERC, NFPA and knowledge in emergency response operations, techniques and reporting.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and administrative abilities are required of the Associate Specialist/Specialist.

• Familiar with health and safety regulatory requirements for federal, state and local government agencies and/or have the ability to learn and obtain necessary skill/knowledge requirements within timeframe designated by management.

• Knowledge of investigation techniques, root cause analysis, incident reporting and/or have the ability to learn and obtain necessary skill/knowledge requirements within timeframe designated by management.

• Good written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Organized and able to manage multiple activities and programs timely and with a high degree of accuracy.

• Effective problem solving and analytical skills.

• Computer knowledge, including Microsoft Office Suite consisting of Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

• Must maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in good standing status.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education, Training and Certifications: 

High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) is required. Associate or bachelor’s degree in occupational safety & health, or relevant discipline, equivalent work experience, or related military training/experience is desirable. Must be CPR, First Aid certified, or have the ability to obtain certification and have knowledge of emergency procedures.  CSP/ASP Certification preferred.

Experience: 

• Associate Specialist: Zero to three (0-3) years or more related experience in HSE, Emergency Response or equivalent military experience. Knowledge and understanding of the Incident Command System and Safety Management Systems preferred. Must be able to prepare and present information to a varying audience.

• Specialist: Three (3) years or more related experience in HSE, Emergency Response or equivalent military experience. Knowledge and understanding of the Incident Command System and Safety Management Systems preferred. Must be able to prepare and present information to a varying audience.

DIRECT REPORTS

There are no direct reports; however, the Associate Specialist/Specialist is considered a leading role model in setting the company’s safety culture and developing safety consciousness in all Cheniere employees.

FREEDOM TO ACT

The Associate Specialist/Specialist has a high degree of aptitude in their field and requires minimal supervision and is empowered to recommend corrective actions as needed and will document the corrective actions that may have violated company policy or laws and regulations pursuant to facility regulatory requirements, permits or authorizations.

WORK CONDITIONS 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, work at height above ground on stairs and catwalks, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear, smell, type and write.

• Must be able to board a ship via a gangway, climb to the top of a tank (200+ steps), scale vertical steel ladder up to forty feet or more in height and lift and move objects weighing up to 30 pounds.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work indoors and outdoors, and be exposed to year-round weather conditions, ocean environment, noise and occasionally process gases and vapors. There is a considerable amount of outdoor activities involved.

• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

• Subject to drug and alcohol testing, per applicable federal regulations.

• Required to pass regularly scheduled physical examinations mandated by regulatory authorities including the physical demands associated with this role.

• Required to obtain mandated certification by attending Company-sponsored training in basic first aid, CPR, LNG firefighting, and other certifications as deemed essential to the role.

• All responsibilities must be met in a rotating shift environment, including holidays, weekends and nights.

ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical or mental disability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Cheniere Energy is an equal opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.