Associate Specialist / Specialist - Safety

At Cheniere, we provide the world with safe, reliable energy. But more than that, we provide opportunities for our talented employees to impact their communities every day. Our diversity is key to our continued success and forges a path where our culture supports greater equity and inclusion for our employees, customers and beyond.

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: 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.
• On-site support of projects and maintenance activities with a focus on Job Planning/Prep, Equipment Isolation, Equipment Clearing, Excavations, Working at Heights or other applicable Health & Safety program requirements.
• Build relationships with all Cheniere employees, contractors or other support functions on a routine basis to make observations and check compliance and implementation of established Health & Safety programs.
• Conduct compliance audits and safety field audits for assigned areas (safe work permit, energy isolation, working at heights, etc.).
• Work with all on-site personnel to solve and implement corrections of safety concerns/issues and improve safety effectiveness.
• Assist operations with safe work permit issuance, sign for applicable permits, field review Life Saving Rules prior to signing permits for compliance with Cheniere Life Saving Rules.
• Support day-to-day plant operations, maintenance execution, work permitting, energy isolation, and operational risk management.
• Monitor hazardous work and participate in planning and execution of work events that are non-routine or have elevated levels of risk.
• Serves as subject matter expert for safety related field activities and ensure adherence to Cheniere Health and Safety program requirements.
• 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. 
• Specify, select, maintain and recommend safety and personal protective equipment needed for employee safety.
• 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.
• Assist contractors with safety during outages/turnarounds and facility expansion projects.
• Conduct routine technical assignments under the guidance of more experienced personnel.
• 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.
• Document and report safety conditions to Production, Operations & Maintenance staff, Health & Safety Supervisor and Superintendent, and HSE Manager as needed or as requested.
• Conduct or participate in investigations of safety incidents, near misses, and good catches.  Facilitate initial reports.  
• Conduct data entry in Cheniere’s Incident Management System and assist in development and maintenance of other safety programs as requested.
• 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.
• Strong leadership and administrative abilities are required of the Associate Specialist/Specialist.
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence various individuals and groups across organizational lines is required.
• Ability to evaluate issues, define requirements, and implement action plans to accomplish organizational goals is required.
• 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.
• 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.
• High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) is required.
• 3-5 years of refinery/petrochemical/energy experience in operations or maintenance, preferred.
• This position is intended for individuals with operational, maintenance, or industrial facility experience who have demonstrated strong safety leadership and a passion for risk management. Prior safety experience is beneficial but not required for candidates with relevant industry experience and the ability to learn and apply health and safety program requirements.
• Associates 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.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge:

Comprehensive knowledge of industrial safety principles, regulatory requirements, and risk management practices, with practical hands-on experience working in operations and/or maintenance environments. Demonstrated understanding of work processes, equipment operation, maintenance activities, permit-to-work systems, hazard identification, incident prevention, and safe work practices. Ability to effectively engage with frontline personnel, assess operational risks, and support the implementation of safety programs that promote a strong safety culture and operational excellence.

Understands or have the ability to gain knowledge of 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:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Education, Training and Certifications: 

Experience: 

Associate Specialist:

 Zero to three (0-3) years or more related experience in HSE, Operations, Maintenance, Emergency Response or equivalent military experience. Working knowledge gained through hands-on operations or maintenance assignments.  Must be able to prepare and present information to a varying audience.

Specialist: 

Three (3) years or more related experience in HSE, Operations, Maintenance, Emergency Response or equivalent military experience. Working knowledge gained through hands-on operations or maintenance assignments.  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, 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.