Program Safety Officer

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding service opportunities to over 1,500 members (youth and young adults) each year, and does so with a skilled staff of approximately 150 employees across the U.S. ACE has a national reputation for providing professional development opportunities on a variety of conservation projects for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and numerous state and local land management partners, either with crew based work or with individually placed interns. Job Title: Program Safety Manager

Location: ACE Office Location/Remote Eligible (USA)

Department/Division:  Program Operations

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Schedule/Hours: Full-tome, 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed. Typical work hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Friday) local time with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required. 

Start Date: Open until filled. 

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

Travel: This position may require domestic travel, up to 25%.

Position Summary: 

The Program Safety Manager for ACE collaborates with the Chief Program Officer (CPO) to provide support and oversight of program safety and quality across ACE Program models and Divisions. This position also involves close collaboration with the Senior Director of Risk Management (SDRM), Senior Director of Human Resources (SDHR), and National Program Directors (NDs).

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead program Safety Audits.
• Assess and promptly address ongoing or episodic safety concerns identified by ACE program staff.
• Develop and revise program safety standards in coordination with the SDRM,
• Collaborate with ACE Program leadership to propose enhancements to field safety policies and procedures.
• Facilitate regularly scheduled calls with ACE Crew and EPIC Divisions.
• Participate in the annual Program Leadership Retreat.
• Lead or support the response to and management of significant incidents.
• Conduct or assist in investigations of any significant incidents as designated by the CPO or SDRM.
• Participate in internal incident investigations as needed.
• Oversee and support of the Incident Reporting (IR) system and processes, including OSHA 300 reporting, staff training, IR analysis, quarterly/annual reporting, etc.
• Provide guidance and support to field staff related to safety and program quality.
• Participate in new program model vetting process.
• Collaborate with Program leadership and SDRM to ensure continuity and continuous improvement.
• Track and ensure field staff maintain proper training and current certifications as required by their position.
• Review and propose programmatic adjustments for how we implement safety and risk management practices within individual placements and EPIC partnerships.
• Coordinate with ACE Solutions staff to ensure appropriate medical certifications and trainings are scheduled and implemented.
• Manage ACE on call system to ensure adequate coverage.
• Lead and facilitate monthly all-staff safety debriefs and trainings.
• Assist HR and Program Staff with workers’ compensation claims as needed.
• Adhere to ACE safety policies and procedures, promptly reporting any unsafe or harmful conditions, incidents and accidents immediately to the CPO.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members, and staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Experience and Qualifications:       

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Leadership, Environmental Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with field-based outdoor youth and/or young adult conservation programming and supporting remote staff.
• Wilderness First Responder certification or ability to obtain certification strongly preferred.
• Incident Command training or experience.
• Additional specialized training or certifications in incident investigation, risk assessment, program management, or related areas preferred.
• Knowledge of and proven experience in crisis management including:
  • Developing and managing emergency response plans.
  • Interacting with family, media, and legal representation in the initial response.
  • Ability to support staff and members throughout an incident.
• Work both independently and cooperatively as a team member.
• Very strong and effective communicator, both written and oral.
• Proven ability to professionally manage confidential material.
• Ability to work across departments and collaborate effectively towards a common goal.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, understanding and an ability to effectively engage. individuals (internal and external) from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, ability and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Commitment to ACE’s mission of public service through youth development and volunteerism.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Other Requirements:       

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions 

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. 
Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves  up to 10 lbs., occasionally moves  up to 25 pounds.
Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
Travel: This position may require domestic travel. 

Compensation: Starting annualized salary of $48,000 to $60,000, based on experience. 

Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE’s retirement plan with a 2% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits: Outdoor Perks – As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 – 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your relevant experience and why you are a good fit for this position. Pease submit your application to the listed online application link. Qualified applicants may be contacted directly to schedule an interview. All application materials must be submitted to be considered for this opportunity. 

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Learn more about ACE on our WEBSITE or check out our INSTAGRAM!

Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.