Safety Program DevelopmentAt — Search Dog Foundation
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening disaster response by rescuing and training search dogs to partner with firefighters and other first responders. As a Safety Program Development Service-Learning Student from CSUCI, you will play a key role in enhancing workplace safety for our staff, volunteers, canine teams, and facilities. Under the guidance of the SDF Safety Committee and Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) Plan Administrator, you will assist in tailoring a comprehensive IIPP template to align with SDF's unique operational needs. This includes adapting protocols for dog training environments, handler safety during simulations, animal welfare considerations, and disaster preparedness activities. This internship offers hands-on experience in occupational health and safety, policy development, and nonprofit operations, providing valuable skills for careers in environmental health, emergency management, or animal-related fields.
Key responsibilities include:
· Review and Analyze Existing Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) Template: Examine the provided generic IIPP framework to identify areas requiring customization for SDF's mission, such as incorporating hazards related to canine handling, outdoor training exercises, biohazards from animal care, and emergency response simulations.
· Develop Tailored Protocols and Procedures: Collaborate with the Safety Committee to create SDF-specific guidelines, including - customizing hazard assessment checklists, adapting roles and responsibilities, enhancing compliance and communication strategies, modifying hazard correction and accident investigation procedures, and updating training and recordkeeping sections.
· Draft and Revise Documentation: Prepare revised IIPP sections, appendices, and supporting forms tailored to SDF, ensuring alignment with California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) standards and SDF's commitment to a safe environment for humans and canines.
· Support Implementation Planning: Assist in developing rollout strategies, such as training schedules for staff on the updated IIPP and integration with existing emergency action plans.
· Documentation and Reporting: Assist in the creation of detailed record-keeping protocol, feedback, and progress.
· Other Duties: Participate in safety meetings, site inspections of training facilities, and related projects as assigned by the IIPP Administrator, as time permits.
Students will be trained and mentored by our operations team and safety committee members in the areas mentioned, including our current digital systems and safety compliance protocols.
| Hours | Duration |
|---|---|
| 4 | hours per week |