Safety & Security Manager

The Safety & Security Manager plays an integral role within Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) to develop, implement, and lead comprehensive safety programs that promote a strong, inclusive safety culture. They are responsible for providing leadership and operational oversight to prevent incidents, ensure compliance with regulations, identify and mitigate risks, and continuously improve safety processes. This role translates organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and risk management priorities into effective programs, procedures, and practices that reflect shared accountability, continuous improvement, and a culture where employees are empowered to work safely and thrive. This work underscores VGS’s commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy services to over 56,000 customers in Chittenden, Franklin, and Addison counties.  

Core Responsibilities:

• Safety Program Management: Manage the development, implementation, and ongoing oversight of workplace and operational safety programs. Ensure safety policies, procedures, and practices are effectively integrated into daily operations and aligned with regulatory requirements and organizational standards. Monitor safety performance, identify trends, and recommend improvements to reduce risk, prevent incidents, and enhance overall employee safety. Direct VGS’s Pipeline Public Awareness Program by coordinating outreach efforts, managing educational materials, engaging key stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with regulations.  As the organization innovates and evolves its customer product offerings, they act as a partner to evaluate, assess risk and ensure compliance with training, licensing, and code requirements.  
• Training & Safety Culture: Oversee safety and security training programs, communications, and awareness initiatives that promote a culture of safety while also fulfilling compliance requirements. Create an environment that supports employee engagement and shared accountability by incorporating employee feedback, reinforcing expectations, and ensuring individuals understand their roles and responsibilities related to safety for themselves but also for others.
• Building & Physical Security:  Create, maintain, and lead physical security programs which could include oversight of building, and related facilities, control access, front-line worker safety programs, and other. Regularly coordinates preparedness drills and exercises to ensure readiness to respond to incidents affecting employees, facilities, or operations.
• Advisory & Leadership Support: Provide guidance and recommendations to leadership on safety, security, and risk-related matters. Support planning, budgeting, and prioritization of safety and security initiatives, and communicate program status, risks, and performance trends.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Partner with internal teams—including operations, pipeline safety and training, human resources, and leadership—to support safe and secure operations. Coordinate with external agencies, contractors, emergency responders, and regulatory bodies to share information and align expectations.
• Incident Response & Investigation:  Oversee response efforts for safety and security incidents. Conduct incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action planning. Ensure lessons learned are incorporated into training, procedures, and program updates to support continuous improvement.
• Program Monitoring & Continuous Improvement:  Track performance metrics, conduct risk assessments, and evaluate program effectiveness. Identify gaps, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities, and recommend enhancements to policies, procedures, and practices to strengthen safety and security outcomes.

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or related field. 
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience, ideally in an industrial/utility setting.
• Strong understanding of safety regulations and best practices. 
• Proven experience at building a human-centered, strong safety culture.
• Familiarity with NFPA and State of Vermont standards for gas and electric.
• Familiarity with the state and local first-response community (e.g., fire, police).
• Experience managing coordinated emergency response activities.
• Skill in building trusting relationships and influencing without direct authority.
• Effective with training and communicating safety and security information to diverse audiences.
• Able to analyze data, trends, and audit findings to identify root causes and improvement opportunities.
• Sound judgment in evaluating risks and recommending practical solutions that balance operational realities. 
• Proactive, organized, and detail focused.
• Comfortable with technology and navigating multiple systems.

• Must be willing to travel frequently to visit crews, observe field work, visit facilities, and respond to safety incidents when they occur. This may include working in field conditions, uneven ground, noise, traffic, weather, etc. 
• A work schedule can be adopted within hours of business operations, which is a range between 7 am to 5 pm with the possibility of after-hours when emergencies or incidents occur. 
• This is considered a hybrid position with two to three in-person days required and may be adjusted to meet business needs. Office environment is open and desks offer sit/stand features.