Health and Safety Specialist

Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) (workersjustice.org) was founded in 2010 to address the racial and economic injustices that low-wage immigrant workers face in New York City by building collective power to win institutional change. WJP runs two long-standing worker’s centers in Brooklyn. We promote justice and opportunity for low-wage immigrant workers in New York City by pushing for systematic enforcement and expansion of workplace protections, which include labor and occupational health and safety standards while advocating for industry-specific efforts to improve working conditions. WJP also offers skills-building training to workers in health & safety and industry-specific areas, and we educate immigrant communities about their rights in the workplace and how to exercise those rights.

WJP is a fiscally sponsored organization of Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) (tsne.org).

The Health and Safety Specialist works in both Worker’s Justice Project worker center locations in Williamsburg and Sunset Park (Brooklyn, NY). WJP is seeking a safety and health specialist to develop, coordinate and conduct safety and health training and campaigns in New York City for construction workers and other low-wage workers.

In addition to conducting training, the job includes outreach to workers, community-based organizations and distribution of appropriate safety and health materials. Candidates must be a self-starter, able to work independently and have a demonstrated record of successful programmatic work.

The Health and Safety Specialist will be part of WJP’s Construction Workers United (CWU) team, which works to strengthen and expand WJP’s membership, to win concrete, transformative workplace campaign victories, build a culture of safety in the workplace and contribute to long-term movement building in New York City and beyond.

This is a full time, exempt, salaried position and reports to the Director, CWU.

Essential Functions

• Conduct OSHA 30 and SST 10 Health and Safety Trainings in Spanish and English, targeted to immigrant construction workers
• Conduct additional safety and health training sessions for WJP members, day laborers and other low-wage workers as needs are identified
• Support members in filing OSHA complaints and forming health and safety campaigns against employers with unsafe working conditions
• Identify worker leaders and support in developing their leadership and engagement within the organization
• Support the coordination of health and safety committees and mentorship of worker leaders interested in becoming safety and health liaisons
• Work with the Program and Training Administrative Assistant to ensure all training information and documentation is collected to track and report to funders
• Work with the CWU team to build WJP’s base and develop WJP members
• Carry out the mission of WJP to provide education about occupational safety and health to day laborers, community organizations, immigrant and other low-wage workers
• Work with worker leaders, CWU team and partners to develop safety and health training programs
• Work with the CWU Team to conduct outreach to workers and community partners
• Create connections with WJP members and trainees with the goal of organizing workers into unions/worker collectives
• Develop training materials, including curricula, fact sheets, and other resources
• Respond to inquiries regarding workplace hazards and wage theft
• Participate in WJP meetings and activities
• Provide mentorship and support to WJP member-leaders who are leading health and safety campaigns and committees.
• Coordinate with the CWU to implement administrative and operational aspects of the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Active OSHA authorized Construction Trainer.
• Bilingual; Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Spanish, with ability to conduct workshops and trainings in both languages.
• Experience working with low-wage workers, immigrant communities, community organizations, and/or unions
• Organizing experience
• Health and Safety background and knowledge
• Outstanding teaching skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop curricula and educational materials
• Organizational and program development skills
• Excellent writing and communication ability
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrated initiative and self-direction in pursuing projects and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and work successfully with persons of diverse backgrounds, including people with different racial, ethnic and class backgrounds, people of different genders, and people with disabilities.
• Dedication and ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.
• Able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions.
• Able to commute using the NYC public transportation system.
• Able to work in an open office space.
• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Reach; traverse; sit or stand (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move.
• Extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position.
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards.
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight.
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location:Work will be primarily performed at the Sunset Park and Williamsburg Worker Centers/Hubs on-site and on the street and will travel periodically.

Schedule: This role requires the ability to work regular business hours and regularly on evenings, and weekends.

Compensation: The pay range for this position is $70,000 - $85,000/yr.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• ...and more!

TSNE/WJP strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/WJP prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/WJP celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/WJP's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.