BRIEF POSTING DESCRIPTION:The H ST SAFETY BIG ISLAND Department of the P SAFETY Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)
JOB FUNCTION:Serves as a strategic leader and subject matter expert responsible for driving a strong, resilient safety culture across the organization. Addresses complex, companywide safety issues by designing, implementing, and continuously improving comprehensive safety programs and risk management practices. Acts as a trusted business partner to operational leadership, the position influences decision making, embeds safety into core business processes, and advances a sustained zero incident culture. Leads complex incident investigations, oversees training and emergency response readiness, mentors junior safety staff, and analyzes emerging industry and regulatory trends. Additionally, represents Safety at high level internal and external forums, protecting workforce well being, system reliability, and organizational reputation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:- Safety Culture & Strategic Leadership: Acts as the organization's trusted advisor on safety issues, influencing business strategy and operational planning. Possess skills and subject matter expertise in all aspects of electrical utility safety and is sought out by others within the company. Partners with leaders across divisions to remove systemic barriers to safety performance and foster accountability, ownership, and engagement at all organizational levels. Leads complex, organization wide safety initiatives that elevate safety climate, competency, and operational integration.
- Safety Policy, Programs & Compliance: Develops, updates, and oversees implementation of safety policies, procedures, and programs aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Serves as the primary SME on safety programs, standards, and compliance expectations; evaluate alignment with strategic goals and industry best practices. Develop effective implementation plan for organization wide audits and inspections; synthesize findings across multiple locations to drive improvements beyond regulatory minimums. Oversee the lifecycle of major safety programs, ensuring integration with business units and measurable improvements in safety outcomes.
- Incident Management & Investigations: Conduct effective investigation of incidents of differing severity. Able to identify stakeholders and engage them appropriately in the investigation. Ensures the application of industry recognized methodologies (e.g., root cause analysis, systems based investigation). Prepare reports to meet organizational standards on incidents, applying professional and legal standards, including making appropriate recommendations for improvement to work processes and equipment upgrades companywide. Identify ineffective and missing information, equipment or training and assess possible improvements to safety risk control and management systems to reduce the likelihood of the incident recurring companywide.
- Risk Management & External Monitoring: Lead complex, multi site compliance and performance audits and oversee the development of enterprise audit protocols and continuous improvement programs. Develops and tracks performance indicators that measure systemic risk, program effectiveness, and organizational safety maturity. Conducts strategic analysis of incident and audit data to identify enterprise wide trends and opportunities. Scans external industry, regulatory, and legislative environments to identify emerging or unanticipated risks and advise leadership on operational impacts. Develops complex mitigation plans that strengthen safety management systems and address long term risk exposure.
- Training, Development & Competency: Leads the design, development, and revision of training programs, including "train the trainer" curriculum. Determines training requirements for job classes and ensure consistency of safety competency across the company. Delivers advanced safety training and coach leaders in their safety responsibilities.
- Coaching, Mentoring & Team Development: Take direct responsibility for ensuring coaching and mentoring of interns, entry level staff, and other safety professionals; expands their skills and leadership readiness. Creates structured developmental opportunities and provides coaching to strengthen the departments and the individual's technical capability and influence.
- Emergency Response & IMT Leadership: Serves as the Deputy Safety Officer or Safety Officer during IMT activations, overseeing Field Safety Support Teams. Develops and implements event specific safety plans; communicates, educates and oversees Field Safety Support team, attends IMT meetings and provides authoritative safety updates on behalf of the Safety Section.
- Participates in Company emergency response activities as assigned, including any activities required to prepare for such emergency response.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:Knowledge Requirements- Knowledge of safety management systems, industrial hygiene, risk management principles, and best practices for high risk industries, preferably electric utility or construction.
- Subject matter expert of HiOSH, OSHA, DOT, DOH, PUC, NIOSH standards, NFPA codes, ANSI standards, and electrical utility safety practices.
- Professional safety certification (CSP, ASP, CHST, CIH, or equivalent) preferred, initial level or higher.
Skills Requirements- Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels and translate complex regulatory and technical requirements into clear, practical guidance.
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills to evaluate complex systems, develop strategic solutions, and drive continuous improvement.
- Proven ability to lead organizational change, develop and deliver training (including technical and audiovisual materials), resolve conflict, and build consensus across diverse teams.
- Empathic, proactive, and motivational leader who collaborates with management to establish, communicate, and achieve safety metrics and organizational goals, including representing the company with external agencies and partners.
- Highly self directed and resilient, able to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing and demanding environments.
- Ability to work safely and effectively in varied and challenging field conditions, including accident scenes, industrial facilities, confined spaces, and remote locations; may require specialized certifications.
- Willingness and ability to respond to emergencies and callouts at all hours, including weekends, holidays, extended shifts, helicopter transport, and graphic environments.
- Strong teamwork skills with accountability for removing barriers, promoting safety as a core operational value, and delivering actionable solutions to leadership.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings (e.g., power plant, transmission, and distribution systems).
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Hawaii or another U.S. state. Must meet the standards for driving positions stated in the Hiring Standards for Driving Positions policy. These standards may be adjusted periodically to meet business and safety needs.
Experience Requirements- 5+ years of relevant safety experience with at least 3 years in electric utility, construction, or comparable high-risk industry. Note: A college degree or professional certification in environmental health and safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene or science may be substituted for up to 2 years of experience; a graduate level degree in the same fields may be substituted for up to 3 years of experience.
- A few years (1-3 years) of leadership or supervisory experience (formal or informal) preferred.
- OSHA 30 certification or higher.
- Demonstrated experience leading safety programs, incident investigations, safety audits, or risk management activities.
Role: Professional
Number of Vacancies: 1
Location: Hilo - Hawaii Island
Hiring Range: The hiring range for the Sr Safety Professional - Hawaii Island [Req ID 10811] position is $99,900.00 to $127,500.00. The person selected will be placed according to his/her skills and qualifications.
Interested individuals should apply online. The application must clearly indicate the demonstrated experience/knowledge/skills/abilities the candidate possesses which specifically qualifies him/her for the position.
