Training and Safety Specialist

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Training and Safety Specialist

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, CA

Are you a self-motivated and experienced occupational health and safety professional who also enjoys coordinating and delivering training to diverse employee groups and values the preservation of open space? The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is excited to offer an exceptional opportunity to apply your expertise in support of our mission!

About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with more than 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. View our Working at Midpen video! If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

About the Position: You will be part of a high-functioning team of HR professionals who consistently deliver high-quality work with a positive attitude and a strong commitment to creating a safe, supportive workplace for everyone. Highly qualified candidates are subject matter experts in occupational health and safety who are excited to build, enhance, and champion effective safety programs across the District. If you enjoy creating engaging training experiences and developing staff in meaningful ways, this role offers the perfect opportunity to combine your skills and make a real impact. Click to view the full Job Description.

The Ideal Candidate: Ideal candidates have proven experience performing complex professional duties that require advanced knowledge and specialization in training and technical knowledge and expertise in occupational health and safety program development, coordination, and administration. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Planning, developing, coordinating, and administering District-wide training and staff development programs.
• Ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations, including POST, OSHA, and Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Delivering or coordinating mandated safety and life-safety training such as Emergency Medical Response, First Aid, AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, and CPR.
• Monitoring workers' compensation claims, collaborating with administrators, and identifying trends to improve workplace safety.
• Developing and implementing occupational health and safety programs designed to reduce risk and enhance District-wide safety practices.
• Researching, maintaining, and updating safety-related policies, procedures, manuals, and documentation.
• Participating in the ADA/FEHA interactive process, including evaluating medical restrictions and recommending modified or light-duty assignments.
• Leading key District programs such as the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Heat Illness Prevention Plan, and Emergency/Disaster Preparedness and Response initiatives.
• Chairing the District Safety Committee and ensuring implementation of action items and safety improvements.
• Serving as Facility Safety Officer by conducting safety audits, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining safety and emergency supplies.
• Investigating hazards, accidents, near misses, and incidents - including Cal/OSHA reviews - and recommending preventive measures.
• Preparing and administering the training and safety budgets.
• Conducting ergonomic evaluations, recommending workstation adjustments, and managing ergonomic equipment inventory.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Supervises Human Resources Technician.
• Public sector experience highly desired.

Qualities:

• Superb interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Detail oriented, excellent organizational skills, and outstanding follow through.
• The ability to make sound, independent decisions.

Work Environment: This position is part of the Human Resources Department at Midpen's office in Los Altos, California. Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute work environment for this position. In addition to office work, the Training and Safety Specialist will also meet with Midpen staff in the field offices and are occasionally exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, or road hazards.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with major coursework in training/development, occupational health and safety, public education or a closely related field, and
• Three (3) years of responsible experience in training/development, health and safety.
• Experience in the public sector is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid CPR, First Aid, and AED Instructor certification.

Benefits: See the Benefits page on our website for details.

Required application items (applications without these required items will not be considered):

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application

2. Cover letter

3. Resume

4. Supplemental question responses

Interview Schedule: (Dates are subject to change. We are unable to accommodate individual schedules.)

• First Interview (virtual): August 13, 2026
• Second Interview/Written Exercise (in person): August 18, 2026
• Final Interview (in person): August 21, 2026

A note to applicants who currently live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area: compensation in California often reflects the region's significantly higher cost of living. Before applying, and if you haven't done so already, we strongly encourage you to assess whether relocation is practical for you. Please research housing costs, relocation expenses, and commute times to Los Altos from outlying areas.

Midpen reserves the right to limit or deny off-duty employment or business ownership which creates a conflict of interest or an incompatibility with District employment. Information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at (650) 691-1200 or via email at hr@openspace.org.