The Safety Specialist works closely with Operations, Operations Leader, Shift Leaders, Site Leadership, and the Refinery Safety Manager to identify knowledge gaps and close them through coaching and training. This is a field-based role first — regulatory and technical knowledge exists to support day-to-day field decisions and corporate safety programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Field Presence & Coaching
- Provides a visible safety presence in the field with operations, maintenance, and contract work forces to identify and evaluate risky behaviors and unsafe conditions and to reinforce practical, safe work practices.
- Coaches’ operators, maintenance personnel, engineers, and contractors on observations related to permitting, hot work, blinding/clearing, line breaking, energy isolation (LOTO), confined space entry, operating procedures, and operator rounds.
- Conducts follow-up training and coaching to address gaps identified during job-site audits and field observations.
- Serve as a safety representative during turnarounds, auditing safe work practices and providing real-time feedback to crews and supervision.
Safe Work Practice & PSM Programs
- Audits hot work, LOTO, confined space, and line-breaking activities for permit accuracy and procedural compliance and tracks corrective actions to closure.
- Assists with lift permitting and approvals as needed.
- Participates in Safety, Housekeeping, and Environmental audits and follows up on findings.
- Participates in Process Hazard Analyses as required
- Participates in MOCs and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews as required.
- Works closely with Process Safety Management and Environmental to ensure compliance in their area.
Safety Committee & Risk Tracking
- Works closely with safety committee members to identify and resolve safety concerns (collecting, tracking, and follow-up).
- Assists safety committee members with the risk register database for the respective areas.
- Provides feedback and facilitates discussion with every shift to give updates on safety concerns.
- Assists the Walk-the-Line committee with initiatives in the facilities.
Procedures
- Routinely reviews the execution of operating procedures and provides coaching and feedback to operators; supports development and improvement of Operating Procedures.
- Supports the development and improvement of clearing plans.
- Reviews, updates, and submits Hazardous Energy Checklist forms.
- Assists in development and implementation of safety plans, procedures, and variances.
Training
- In conjunction with others in the Safety Departments, reviews recent industry alerts (AFPM, CSB, API, etc.) and disseminates relevant learnings to operators and maintenance teams.
- Provides coaching and mentoring to facilitate ownership for safety at all levels.
- Serves as a skillful public speaker and presenter of training and educational programs to Hunt employees and contract personnel.
- Assists Operations in MOC training and in developing and maintaining training material for operators.
Incident Response & Investigation
- Leads incident investigations and near misses not requiring a formal RCA, and develops lessons learned for distribution across the facility.
- Participates in RCA-level investigations as the area safety representative and follows up on timely, effective implementation of corrective actions.
- Active member of the Plant Emergency Response Team (PERT) and the Incident Command Structure (ICS), maintaining "on-call" availability for unusual circumstances and unit emergencies.
Regulatory & Technical Knowledge
- Develops and maintains a working knowledge of applicable OSHA general industry and process safety (PSM) standards, NFPA fire protection standards, and basic industrial hygiene concepts (noise, air monitoring, PPE) sufficient to support field coaching and audits — this role supports, but does not own, corporate-level safety program design.
- Identifies workplace safety risks, hazards, and associated mitigation strategies and compliance obligations, including program development, training, equipment needs and sourcing, and scheduling of compliance tasks.
Operations Coordination
- Works with all company safety personnel to develop best practices and ensure alignment between areas.
- Assists all disciplines with operating problems as required.
- Works with operators to develop and implement consistent best practices and procedures across shifts.
Hunt Core Values & General
- Works closely with the operations management team to implement programs and best practices throughout the facilities.
- Works with Operations Shift Leaders, Technical Support, Maintenance, and Supervision to improve safety culture.
- Demonstrates a personal commitment to upholding the Hunt Core Values.
- Develops a working knowledge of all Hunt Safety & PSM policies and procedures.
- Available to work scheduled and extended shifts (day, evening, night) during shutdown and turnaround activities.
- Other duties as assigned by the Health & Safety Manager.
Supervisor Responsibilities
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. The Safety Specialist provides coaching, mentoring, and peer influence but does not directly supervise other employees.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, safety engineering, or a related field is preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years' experience in refinery/plant operations, maintenance, or technical activities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong knowledge of safe work practices, hazard awareness, and hazard mitigation gained through hands-on refinery experience.
- Good knowledge of respective operating areas.
- Working familiarity with OSHA, NFPA, NIOSH, EPA, and API standards as they apply to day-to-day field operations.
- Self-starter, able to work with a minimum of supervision.
- Good communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to lead discussions in groups ranging from 2 to 20 people.
- Basic computer skills, including spreadsheet and document-management software.
- Ability to read and comprehend process and instrument diagrams, procedures, and specifications.
- Self-motivated with a desire to learn and develop new skills; exhibits a "can do" attitude and spirit of cooperation.
- Supports management objectives.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), ASP or similar credential is a plus, not required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
- Ability to speak, read, and write English fluently.
- Ability to effectively communicate with operators, engineers, technicians, supervisors, managers, and contractors.
REASONING ABILTY
- Ability to apply concepts of basic mathematics as they pertain to process operations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands of this position are listed in the following tables. The Safety Specialist must be able to be certified to use respiratory protection, including fresh-air work requiring a tight-fitting full-face mask and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) weighing up to 35 lbs., and must be able to climb multiple flights of stairs and vertical fixed ladders.
Amount of Time
None
Under 1/3
1/3 to 2/3
Over 2/3
Use hands to finger, handle, or feel
X
Reach with hands and arms
X
Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
X
Lifting — Amount of Time
None
Under 1/3
1/3 to 2/3
Over 2/3
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The environmental conditions for this position are listed in the following table. This position requires work in loud, high-noise areas, and personal protective equipment is required at all times in operating areas.
Amount of Time
None
Under 1/3
1/3 to 2/3
Over 2/3
Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)
X
Work near moving mechanical parts
X
Work in high, precarious places
X
Flammable or caustic chemicals
X
Outdoor weather conditions
X
Extreme hot/cold (weather related)
X
Extreme cold (non-weather)
X
Extreme heat (non-weather)
X
Risk of electrical shock
X
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