The Risk and Safety Specialist for California Operations is the face of the Risk and Safety Team in California and the safety leader for our grower operations across the state. Reporting to the VP of Risk and Safety, this role owns the day-to-day safety leadership of California agricultural operations building and leading a safety culture from the ground up, ensuring our compliance and regulatory obligations are not only met but exceeded.
This is not a desk-based role. The right person is on property with our operations team genuinely invested in doing the work. They work with and for our operations team, solving problems and building solutions alongside the operations team.
Position Responsibilities:
Safety Culture & Leadership- Serve as the state-level leader for safety across California grower operations the primary Risk and Safety presence and point of contact for operations teams, farm labor contractors, and all other vendors in direct operate.
- Build and lead a safety culture grounded in trust, field presence, and partnership with operations.
- Lead and facilitate safety and compliance meetings with MFS teams and farm labor contractors, making them practical, engaging, and relevant to the work at hand.
- Champion a forward-thinking approach: bring new ideas, industry best practices, and continuous improvement to how we manage grower operations safely with the goal of building the leading grower safety program in California.
Compliance & Regulatory Leadership- Ensure California operations meet all Cal/OSHA, and local regulatory requirements and position our programs ahead of regulatory change, being proactive, not reactive.
- Monitor and ensure compliance among farm labor contractors (FLCs) and MFS team members with regulatory standards and internal MFS policies.
- Compile and maintain audit-and inspection-ready documentation year-round.
- Build relationships with regulators, industry associations, and external stakeholders that strengthen our standing and keep us ahead of emerging requirements.
Presence & Risk Assessment- Perform regular inspections of ranches, shops, facilities, and offices.
- Conduct and document comprehensive risk assessments that identify real operational hazards and ensure mitigation strategies fit the work.
- Assess operational practices, procedures, and facilities to identify risk early before it becomes an incident or a citation.
- Investigate accidents and incidents to determine causes and recommend preventive measures; support the MFS team in completing corrective actions.
Training & Program Development- Own all safety training for the California MFS team, including scheduling, recordkeeping, and compliance with training requirements, partnering with Risk and Safety Team program leads to deliver training that team members understand, remember, and use.
- Develop and implement health and safety plans/policies aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements, partnering with Risk and Safety Program leads to support operations.
Systems, Reporting & Equipment- Track and report incidents and inspections in the Velocity system, ensuring timelines are met and corrective actions are completed.
- Compile and report health and safety performance, trends, and statistics to management and stakeholders.
- Maintain a comprehensive inventory of risk and safety equipment across properties (fire extinguishers, spill kits, signage, AEDs), ensuring everything is serviced, operational, and documented.
- Oversee risk and safety equipment purchasing, providing support to managers in Washington and Wisconsin as needed.
- Coordinate with other program managers to ensure successful implementation and completion of programs and projects.
Required Qualifications- 4+ years of experience with federal OSHA and state OSHA (Cal/OSHA) regulations and demonstrated ability to apply them across agricultural or similar field operations.
- College degree or equivalent experience in Agricultural Systems Management, Agribusiness, Occupational Safety and Health, or Environmental Health and Safety.
- A solid understanding of and genuine interest in agricultural operations and the people who run them.
- Ability to conduct and facilitate group meetings and train teams on operational risk management (risk assessments/JSA's) and safety requirements.
- Ability to read, understand, and interpret federal, state, and local regulations affecting agricultural operations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong computer skills.
- Organizational and project management skills to prioritize and complete multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.
- Valid driver's license and insurability with the company's commercial carrier.
- Ability to travel and frequently drive long distances across California; frequent sitting, standing, and walking; occasional lifting up to fifty pounds; extended computer use.
Preferred Qualifications- Spanish language proficiency is highly desirable.
- Experience working with farm labor contractors and contracted workforces.
- Experience building or improving safety programs, not just administering existing ones.
When you Join our team- We'll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
- We'll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.
- As part of our global team, we'll support you in shaping the future you want to see.
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-California
The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.
Referenced Salary LocationChowchilla, California
Working ArrangementHybrid
Salary range is expected to be between$61,875.00 USD - $103,125.00 USD
Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [redacted] for the salary range for your location.
Manulife/John Hancock offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension/401(k) savings plans and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in the U.S. includes up to 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days, 150 hours of vacation, and 40 hours of sick time (or more where required by law) each year, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence.
