AIV Safety Engineer

AIV Safety Engineer

ESO - European Southern Observatory - Chile

Paranal, Chile

The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.

ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.

At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.

Due to the need for additional resources associated with the ELT programme, for its Safety Department, within the Directorate of Operations at the La Silla Paranal Observatory, near Antofagasta ESO is advertising an international staff position of AIV Safety Engineer.

The ELT AIV Safety Engineer will be responsible for customizing the existing Safety Manuals and policies to the ELT AIV needs, developing the applicable documents, implementing, and maintaining health and safety programs to ensure a safe working environment for all employees and contractors for the ELT AIV Project. This role requires a proactive leader with extensive knowledge of safety regulations and management for construction projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Customize the ESO applicable documents to the ELT AIV needs;
• Conduct regular safety audits, inspections, and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions;
• Coach leaders on appropriate, proactive and preventative techniques to mitigate HSE risks;
• Lead and manage the project health and safety team IF APPLICABLE (ITOS and Contractors), providing training, support, and mentorship to ensure high performance;
• Coordinate and conduct safety training programs for employees and contractors, including induction training for new personnel;
• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near-misses, and prepare detailed reports with recommendations for preventing recurrence;
• Ensure the proper maintenance and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety devices;
• Collaborate with project management and other departments to integrate health and safety considerations into all aspects of the project;
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of health and safety activities, incidents, and compliance with regulations;
• Develop and test emergency response plans to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies;
• Foster a culture of safety awareness and continuous improvement throughout the organization;
• Work simultaneously on different projects with deadlines and objectives.

Reports to:

Site Safety Engineer.

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of international Health & Safety regulations and industry standards (preferable with European and Chilean, mandatory with Chilean Safety laws);
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels;
• Excellent interpersonal abilities;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in explaining technical and/or regulatory issues and concerns to a varied audience. Able to express complex issues using clear language and able to prioritize while managing multiple priorities;
• Excellent computer skills including knowledge of MS Office Products;
• Highly developed knowledge and proven delivery of contemporary safety leadership systems and programs;
• Strong ability to scope, prioritize, and execute cross-functional projects;
• Change agent, health and safety influencer competencies builder: Technicians, specialists, contractors, managers/leaders;
• Strategic & analytical thinking focused on results;
• +6 years of Health and Safety Managerial experience in Energy, Mining, Construction companies and in large and complex projects with proven ability to lead a safety team and engage stakeholders on H&S matters;
• Experience in Safety Management Roles (including national multi-locations);
• Experience in People management;
• Demonstrate awareness and experience of implementation of Health and Safety corporate strategies, developing programmes, systems and initiatives.

Desirable Competences and Experience:

• Skills in health and safety management software;
• Highly developed knowledge and proven delivery of contemporary safety management systems and programs;
• Experience as member of Emergency Services.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety engineering, or a related field, with master's degree in occupational safety or risk management;
• Certified Safety Professional, Registered Safety Professional;
• Audit/Risk Assessment Management System certification (ISO, OSHA, etc) is highly desirable.

Language skills:

Fluent English and Spanish Language: spoken and written is required. Certification or degree is highly desirable.

Remuneration and contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary Structure:

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/.

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

This position is part of the time-limited ELT- AIV phase of the ELT project, which is expected to have a duration of six years. The initial contract is for a period of three years which may be extended, subject to individual performance and organisational requirements and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations.

For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment. Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station: The duty station of the post is in Chile (Paranal/Armazones). The ELT AIV Safety Engineer will work on site in a shift pattern, commuting between her/his place of residence in Chile and the duty station.
Career Path: IV

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 2 July 2025.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

ESO Values:

An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.

The ESO Values are:

ESO strives for excellence through innovation.

ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.

ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.

ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.

Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication. Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.

Diversity:

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.

Nationality:

No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.

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