Manager, Enterprise Safety

Job Description:

Manager, Enterprise Safety

Description

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is seeking an experienced and strategic Enterprise Safety Manager to support both the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). This key leadership position is responsible for overseeing the Compliance Division within the Enterprise Safety and acts as a City-wide consultant on safety policies, programs, and best practices. The Enterprise Safety Manager may also serve as the subject matter expert for enterprise-wide safety initiatives in specialized functional areas such as field services, regulatory compliance, loss control, quality assurance, training, or occupational safety.

This is an unclassified, non-represented position offering the opportunity to influence and advance the City's commitment to a safe and healthy work environment across all departments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Supervision: Provides leadership and oversight to the department, division, and section leadership. Responsible for supervising staff, managing project assignments, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work, conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and overseeing hiring and disciplinary processes.
• Division/Section Management Support: Assists in the overall management and administration of the Safety Management System at the department, division, and section levels, which will contribute to strategic planning, operational decision-making, and performance monitoring.
• Program and Operations Management: Develops, implements, and manages assigned programs, operational processes, and special initiatives to meet organizational goals.
• Project Management: Leads and coordinates multiple complex and high-impact projects. Responsibilities include defining project goals and timelines, coordinating cross-functional teams, establishing standards, tracking progress, and managing project budgets.
• Performance and Policy Oversight: Oversees the development and implementation of performance metrics. Evaluates current and proposed policies, procedures, and regulations for effectiveness and compliance.
• Strategic and Departmental Planning: Supports City-wide strategic initiatives, including setting operational objectives and developing long-term strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Financial Management: Participates in financial planning activities such as budget development, procurement, and expenditure monitoring. Authorizes expenditures and ensures fiscal accountability.
• Analytical and Strategic Initiatives: Leads or contributes to complex analytical projects involving financial, strategic, or operational priorities. Analyzes data to identify trends, develops actionable recommendations, presents findings to senior leadership, and supports implementation of process improvements.

Experience and Expertise

In addition to the desired qualifications, the ideal candidate will demonstrate proven ability and experience in the following competencies, which are critical to the success of this position.

• Environmental & Occupational Health and Safety:
  • Developed and implemented standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential workplace hazards.
  • Design and lead programs aimed at reducing the frequency, severity, and cost of workplace incidents and occupational illnesses.
  • Conducted detailed job, process, and system evaluations to assess risk, identify hazards, and determine probability and impact.
  • Performed inspections and workplace surveys to ensure compliance with safety and health policies, and to proactively identify emerging risks.
  • Delivered targeted training to employees, supervisors, and safety professionals on a wide range of environmental and occupational health topics.

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and implement new processes effectively.
• Proven success in building rapport and working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Strong track record of developing innovative, practical solutions for complex safety and operational challenges.
• Willingness to accept challenges, exercise sound judgment, and take strategic risks when appropriate.

Business Acumen

• Recognized for leading with integrity and a strong customer-focused mindset.
• Skilled in making informed business decisions using complex or limited data, while upholding ethical standards.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for operational improvements and implements innovative, data-driven solutions.
• Effectively resolves organizational issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of business operations.
• Advanced analytical skills, with knowledge of basic statistical methods and risk metrics.
• Proficient in interpreting business publications, professional journals, technical documents, and regulatory materials.
• Experienced in drafting professional reports, business correspondence, and procedural documentation.

Communication, Diplomacy, Teamwork, and Customer Focus

• Skilled in presenting complex information to a variety of audiences, including executive leadership, senior leadership, technical professionals, and cross-departmental teams.
• Strong oral communication skills, delivering persuasive and engaging presentations with confidence.
• Clear and concise written communicator, capable of producing high-quality reports, memos, and training materials.
• Highly responsive to internal customer needs; translates feedback into business and process improvements.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and professionalism in frequent collaboration with staff at all levels.
• Experienced in public speaking and responding to questions from diverse groups, including state and federal agencies, and the public.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in safety or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
6 years of experience administering health, safety, or loss prevention programs including 1 year prior at senior, lead and/or supervisory level

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Knowledge & Skills

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies

• Professional certifications such as:
  • Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
  • Certified Health & Safety Manager (CHSM)
  • Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
  • Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
  • Or equivalent nationally recognized safety certifications.
• Experience with utility safety management systems.
• Master’s degree in occupational health and safety or a related field.
• Strong critical thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative leadership style with a positive approach to team development.
• Comprehensive experience managing enterprise-level safety and loss control programs in large organizations.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Apply
Interested City of Tacoma current employees should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the supplemental questions evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts. These questions will be scored on the basis of the information provided; therefore, it is the responsibility of the applicant to carefully list all pertinent experience and training. The evaluation committee will not have access to the candidate's application. Providing false information will result in disqualification. Candidates must pass this evaluation in order to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the Neogov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 prior to 4pm on the date of this posting closing.

Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $57.00 - $80.25

Annual Salary: $118,560.00 - $166,920.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 1/12/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$118,560.00 - $166,920.00 Annually