State Employee Health & Safety Manager

Job Posting Title

State Employee Health & Safety Manager

Agency

345 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Supervisory Organization

Chief Engineer- Director of Ops- Assistant Director of Ops

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

$129,000 (Annually)

Why You'll Love Working Here:

• Our benefits go beyond the basics, offering annual benefit allowances, a variety of health, dental, and vision plan options, paid annual and sick leave that rolls over each year, 11 paid holidays, robust retirement savings plans, and an EAP & wellness program to support you every step of the way.

Annual Benefit Allowance:

• The benefits allowance covers up to $20,538.24 for employees and their dependents to enroll in benefits.

Comprehensive Insurance Plans:

• The State offers several different medical, dental, and vision plans to better fit your needs. Including options to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

Retirement Savings Plans:

• Pathfinder Defined Contribution Plan: available to employees who began State employment after November 1st, 2015.

• Employer matches 6% with an employee contribution of 4.5%.

• Employer matches 7% with an employee contribution of 7% or above.

• OPERS Defined Benefit Plan: available to returning employees who were previously enrolled in OPERS.

Annual & Sick Leave (PTO):

• 15 days accrued annually during the first 1-5 years of service.

• 18 days accrued annually for 5-10 years of service.

• 20 days accrued annually for 10-20 years of service.

• 25 days accrued annually for over 20 years of service.

• Sick leave: Accrued at 15 days per year

Paid Holidays:

• 11 paid holidays per year

Longevity Pay:

• Longevity payments are paid annually to eligible State employees with a minimum of 2 years of State service.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

• EAP is a cooperative effort between employees and administration to help employees gain access to professional services in resolving personal problems.

Job Description

Department: Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)

Division | Branch: Operations | Employee Health & Safety

Reports To: Assistant Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

State Employee Status: Executive Management | Exempted Employee

Management Level: Manager

Location: ODOT Central Office, 200 NE 21st St, Oklahoma City, OK

Full-time in Office | Remote work not authorized

Position Summary

The State Employee Health & Safety Manager serves as the senior authority for the development, implementation, administration, enforcement, and continuous improvement of ODOT's comprehensive, statewide employee health and safety programs. This position provides strategic leadership and executive-level oversight of complex safety programs governed by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for both General Industry and Construction, as well as state and federal employee health & safety requirements applicable to transportation operations.

The role is responsible for ensuring organizational compliance, risk mitigation, employee well-being, and occupational safety across a workforce of more than 2,500 employees operating in diverse environments statewide. The State Safety Manager serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, providing data-driven insights, policy guidance, and strategic direction to foster a proactive, compliant, and employee-safety-focused organizational culture.

Supervisory Responsibility

Provides direct supervision and management oversight to eight (8) management-level safety professionals, two (2) staff-level program support personnel, and indirect oversight of divisional safety program coordinators.

Position Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for all statewide employee health and safety programs.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and industry safety regulations, standards, and best practices.

• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of safety initiatives that reduce risk, prevent injuries, and support operational excellence.

• Serve as the agency's subject matter expert and senior authority on employee safety, occupational health, and regulatory compliance.

• Represent ODOT in interactions with regulatory agencies, auditors, industry partners, and external stakeholders.

• Develop, maintain, and enforce safety policies, procedures, and standards aligned with agency objectives and legal requirements.

Essential Functions

• Direct and oversee statewide safety operations encompassing construction, maintenance, administrative, and field environments.

• Analyze safety data, trends, incidents, and performance indicators to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.

• Oversee incident investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to regulatory agencies and executive leadership.

• Evaluate and manage high-risk operations and emerging safety issues.

• Provide expert guidance during emergency events, serious incidents, and regulatory inspections.

Leadership and Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a management-level safety leadership team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

• Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and outcomes aligned with agency priorities.

• Promote a culture of safety leadership throughout all levels of the organization.

• Advise senior leadership on safety-related risks, strategic initiatives, and organizational impacts.

Program Planning and Development

Direct the design, implementation, enforcement, and continuous improvement of statewide safety programs, including but not limited to:

• Employee Health and Safety Program

• Workers' Compensation and Return-to-Work Program

• FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program

• Safety Training and Education Program

• MUTCD and Work Zone Safety Program

• Pre-Employment Physical Abilities Demonstration Program

• Fleet, equipment, and heavy machinery safety programs

• Hazard communication and industrial hygiene programs

• Emergency preparedness and response programs

Ensure programs are aligned with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and agency operational needs.

Budget and Financial Management

• Develop and manage the safety program budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.

• Evaluate cost-benefit impacts of safety initiatives and investments.

• Support reduction of workers' compensation costs through proactive safety and injury prevention strategies.

• Identify opportunities for grants, partnerships, or funding that support safety objectives.

Compliance

• Ensure agency-wide compliance with OSHA (General Industry and Construction), USDOT, FMCSA, and other applicable federal and state regulations.

• Serve as primary liaison with regulatory and oversight agencies during inspections, audits, and investigations.

• Oversee corrective action plans and ensure timely resolution of compliance findings.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent ODOT in safety-related forums, committees, and industry associations.

• Engage with state agencies, contractors, law enforcement, and public partners on safety initiatives impacting transportation operations.

• Promote public and employee awareness of safety priorities and best practices.

Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Human Resources, Risk Management, and Executive leadership to integrate safety into all aspects of agency operations.

• Provide consultation and support to leadership and managers on safety planning, risk mitigation, safety training, and operational decisions.

Job Requirements

Knowledge of

• Federal and state occupational safety and health regulations (OSHA, CFR 29, CFR 49, etc.).

• Construction and transportation industry safety standards and practices.

• Workers' compensation systems, claims management, and return-to-work strategies.

• FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program requirements.

• Industrial hygiene principles and occupational health hazards.

• Safety management systems, risk assessment methodologies, and performance metrics.

Skill in

• Executive-level leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making.

• Managing complex, multi-disciplinary safety programs across large geographic areas.

• Interpreting and applying regulatory requirements to operational environments.

• Data analysis, reporting, and presentation to senior leadership.

• Coaching and developing management-level professionals.

• Effective communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health, Engineering, or a related field required; master's degree preferred.

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in occupational health and safety management, including senior or executive-level leadership in this field.

• Demonstrated senior-level leadership experience managing safety programs for a large organization (2,500+ employees) across diverse operational environments.

Certifications (Highly Preferred)

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

• Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM)

• OSHA-Authorized Trainer credentials

• Certified Safety & Health Official (CSHO)

• Safety, Health, and Environmental Professional (SHEP)

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a seasoned safety executive with a proven track record of leading large-scale, complex employee health and safety programs within a public-sector or similarly regulated environment. This individual demonstrates strong strategic vision, sound judgment, and the ability to influence safety culture at all organizational levels. The successful candidate will bring a collaborative leadership style, deep regulatory expertise, and a commitment to protecting employees while supporting the mission-critical operations of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Why Join ODOT

At ODOT, safety is foundational to everything we do. This position offers the opportunity to shape and lead statewide safety programs that directly impact employees, the traveling public, and the future of Oklahoma's transportation system.

Supplemental Questionnaire Requirement

This position requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. The information provided will be used to evaluate applicant qualifications and determine which candidates advance in the selection process. Please review the instructions below and provide complete responses.

1. Position Context Statement

This supplemental questionnaire is designed to assess the depth and relevance of your education, certifications, and professional experience as they relate to the duties of the State Employee Health & Safety Manager position. Responses will be evaluated to determine which applicants advance in the selection process.

2. Applicant Instructions

Please answer each question completely and accurately. Your responses will be evaluated to determine your qualifications for this position.

Responses should clearly describe your education, training, certifications, and work experience as they relate to each question. Include the employer name, position title, and scope of responsibility where applicable.

Do not respond with "see resume" or "see application." Only the information provided in the response fields will be evaluated.

Incomplete, vague, or missing responses may result in a lower evaluation score or removal from further consideration.

3. Verification of Experience

Responses must describe your personal work experience and must be supported by the employment history listed in your application. Experience that cannot be verified through your application materials may not be considered during the evaluation process.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

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