Occupational Health and Wellness Specialist

SUMMARY:
This role is responsible for working within the city’s Wellness Works program to develop implement and manage dynamic health and wellness initiatives tailored to public safety (police and fire). Support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of public safety employees through strategic programs that reduce health risks and enhance employee physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents within this classification. Incumbents are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance on the job are not routinely listed in the job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but not limited to:

• Primary liaison between the Public Safety Occupational Health Clinic and the city. Involves coordinating communication, facilitating collaborative initiatives, addressing departmental needs, and ensuring delivery of effective occupational health services to public safety.
  
• Familiar and ensure compliance with federal (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), state (add the state police requirements), industry-specific (National Fire Protection Association) health and safety standards, and department policies for police and fire.
  
• Monitor employee compliance with required exams including pre-employment and occupational health exams and wellness incentive program requirements.
  
• Facilitate quarterly behavioral health meetings with public safety key stake holders to collaborate on behavioral health initiatives through coordinated mental health support.
  
• Consult with key departments in policy development and implementation.
  
• Review and document all respirator clearance forms and send appropriate notifications for all non-clearances.
  
• Compiles and analyzes data and findings, make interpretations then writes comprehensive reports based on data; use these finding to help identify information gaps and future collection requirements.
  
• Reviews, organizes, updates, and maintains system data, reports, files, documents, and related information; develops and maintains resources to assist with wellness projects.
  
• Design and implement comprehensive wellness programs covering physical fitness, nutrition, stress management, substance use, financial wellness, mental health, and overall well-being specific to public safety employees.•
• Coordinate and facilitate onsite wellness visits, programs, and training in partnership with the Occupational Health Public Safety Program, CMPD, and Charlotte Fire Department to support the unique health and wellness needs of public safety employees.
  
• Develop, implement, and coordinate processes in response to special events, emergency situations, and high-priority requests, ensuring wellness services are responsive and effectively delivered.
  
• Support the city employee wellness team in the development, implementation, and execution, including onsite athletic events and challenges, wellness programs, educational campaigns, behavioral change programs such as weight management and health challenges.
  
• Oversee group exercise programming at the wellness center, including scheduling, instructor coordination, tracking participation, and coordinate with building services to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and facility maintenance.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:
To successfully perform job, incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed are representative of the knowledge and skills.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field like Health Promotion/Education, Public Health, Health Science, Nutrition, Exercise Science, Psychology; AND three (3) years of work experience in occupational health, safety, and/or wellness-related field; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

Required Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:
Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Driver License
  

Required Knowledge and Skills
Required Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of laws and guidelines affecting public safety personnel, including but not limited to OSHA respirator standards, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) medical guidelines, and North Carolina state medical regulations for law enforcement officers.
  
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive wellness programs that address various aspects of employee well-being, such as physical fitness, nutrition, mental health, and stress management specific to public safety.
  
• High level of proficiency in handling sensitive and confidential situations and information.
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
  
• Experience with population health management.
  

Required Skills:

• Strong customer service, facilitation, collaboration, interpersonal, and communication skills required.
  
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, management, vendors, and other stakeholders to promote wellness initiatives and encourage participation.
  
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, evenings and non-traditional work hours.
  
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and resources effectively while maintaining attention to detail.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to translate ideas from others into concise written form; drafting high-quality documents and materials; clearly and concisely communicate key points.
  
• Capable of working independently and managing multiple responsibilities, as well as working collaboratively within a team.
  
• Ability to function within all levels of organization and at various locations throughout the city. (i.e. Police and Fire Training Academy, police divisions, fire stations, dispatch/911)
  

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, or walking extended periods of time; light to moderate lifting and carrying 25lbs; some crouching, stooping, squatting, crawling, reaching, pushing, and pulling when performing tasks; adequate vision, hearing, and speech required.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
This position requires working indoors and outdoors, sitting in an office, driving a city vehicle, and walking in and around work-sites.