Manager, ES Safety

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (ES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, as well as air and water quality monitoring, to meet future needs. ES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. ES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Safety Manager provides daily leadership for Environmental Services' safety programs and staff. Reporting to the Director of Environmental Compliance & Safety, this role turns structure into consistent practice, standardizing processes, ensuring accountability, and supporting field operations.

The Manager coordinates safety work across sites, oversees program implementation, and develops staff capability. Focus areas include reliable systems, clear communication, and steady field presence to maintain compliance, strengthen culture, and ensure safe, consistent work across all facilities.

• Lead daily operations of the Safety Department-setting priorities, coordinating site coverage, and ensuring timely follow-up on incidents, audits, and requests.
• Develop, lead, and hold accountable a team of Safety Specialists to ensure consistent use of systems, completion of deliverables, and visible field engagement.
• Implement standard processes, tools, and EHS management software to support Environmental Services' Safety System-ensuring repeatable, transparent, and measurable outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with plant management, maintenance, construction, and operations leaders to ensure practical, field-ready safety solutions.
• Oversee safety program improvement and ensure alignment with regulatory and internal standards.
• Use data and documentation to monitor program performance and communicate progress to leadership.
• Promote a balanced approach to safety that links compliance, field practicality, and continuous improvement.

Any of the following combinations of experience and completed education. Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, environmental science, engineering, or related field. Demonstrated experience in progressively responsible work experience in a safety-related role, such as risk management, industrial hygiene, or environmental management. Safety experience in an industrial or wastewater setting. Strong understanding of safety regulations, risk assessment, incident investigation, emergency response planning, and safety training:

• High school diploma AND ten (10) years of experience, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Associate's degree AND eight (8) years of experience, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of experience, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.
• Master's degree AND four (4) years of experience, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.

• Proven experience managing safety operations in industrial, utility, or public-sector environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing professional staff.
• Ability to build relationships and credibility with field staff, supervisors, and leadership teams.
• Clear, professional communication skills and a grounded, collaborative leadership style.
• Experience using or implementing EHS management software (Origami preferred).
• Familiarity with data tracking, dashboards, and performance metrics to monitor program progress.

• Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA, MN-OSHA, and other regulatory standards, laws, rules, and policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
• Skilled in providing effective work direction to staff, managing employee development and training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Skilled and persuasive in dealing with others both inside and outside of the department. Interactions with others generally require influencing, informing, and negotiating with individuals to gain their understanding, cooperation, and action. Interactions may involve efforts to persuade and negotiate with other representatives or officials outside of the organization, but do not have the authority to act on behalf of the organization in matters where there are legitimate differences of opinion.
• Ability to translate broad agency goals into specific program objectives and action plans.
• Demonstrates servant leadership and a human-centered approach.
• Ability to lead and motivate individuals and teams to achieve program and project outcomes.
• Demonstrates an ability to achieve results and add value to the organization by collaboratively identifying and partnering to implement appropriate strategies and assuming responsibility for results.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of customers or clients.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

Union/Grade: MANA/Grade J
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $47.50 - $77.09 hourly; $98,800 - $160,347 annually

*The starting salary will depend on the selected candidate's experience, skills, and education, as well as internal salary equity. Additionally, this position offers a generous benefits package.

Work Environment:
You would perform your work in an office environment and an industrial plant. Work may sometimes require travel to other facilities. This position at times works near moving parts or equipment, is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and to outdoor weather conditions and moderate noise.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We complete a leadership assessment.