Safety/Emergency Management Professional
Open To Work
JOEL COOLEY CSM EHSM
Harris County Precinct 2 - Commissioner's Office
Spring,TX
Work Preference
Job Search Status:
Open to work
Desired Job Title
Safety ManagerSafety SupervisorEmergency ManagerEmergency Management SpecialistSafety Coordinator
Work Type
Full TimeContract WorkConsulting
Location Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybrid
Location:
Spring, TX
Open to relocation:
Yes
Important To Me
Career advancementCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programs401k matchStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingPaid time off
10
Certification
32
Years of experience
Seasoned director with 30 years of progressive leadership experience in Risk Management, Emergency Management, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) across government and private sectors. Proven track record leading large-scale emergency and disaster response, policy development, compliance, cross-functional teams, and building strong safety cultures. Expert in enterprise risk management, OSHA/ISO compliance, investigations, workforce development, and operational resilience. Recognized for improving regulatory compliance, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and elevating organizational readiness for 450+ employees.
Work History
3 Years 10 Months
09.2022 - 07.2026
3 Years 10 Months
Division Manager, Risk/Emergency Management & Organizational Resilience
Harris County Precinct 2 - Commissioner's Office | Houston, TX
09.2022 - 07.2026
- Primary liaison with Harris County Emergency Management; led responses to hurricanes, windstorms, severe weather, and hazardous materials incidents.
- Directed risk management, Emergency Response EHS, training, and internal communications for 450+ employees.
- Coordinated multi-agency disaster responses, managed Red Cross shelters, and developed the Emergency Response Drone program.
- Conducted 80+ annual fire/facility inspections, 10-15 multi-level investigations yearly, and delivered 10-15 training courses annually.
- Created and presented training modules for 300-400 employees/year; managed all safety audits, records, and certifications.
- Authored and implemented 10+ precinct-wide policies,
- Improved emergency fleet response times by over 50%.
- Served as Infrastructure Liaison Officer and CRASE instructor; led policy review, vehicle/equipment safety, and all post-incident reviews.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance community engagement and service delivery.
- Developed and implemented operational policies to streamline departmental processes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align projects with organizational goals.
- Set and oversaw division budgets in excess of $950K per year
- Evaluated program effectiveness, recommending improvements based on stakeholder feedback.
- Mentored and trained staff, fostering professional development and team cohesion.
- Presented reports to senior management, highlighting project progress and challenges encountered.
- Developed strong team dynamics through regular communication, collaboration, and goal-setting initiatives.
- Reduced costs by identifying inefficiencies and implementing cost-saving measures across the division.
- Supervised daily planning, coordination and administration for division operations.
- Enhanced employee performance with comprehensive training programs and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Built strong relationships with key stakeholders to enhance collaboration efforts both internally and externally.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying up-to-date on industry standards, guidelines, and policies, conducting internal audits as necessary.
- Boosted customer satisfaction rates by addressing concerns promptly and effectively resolving issues.
- Enhanced team performance by establishing clear goals and providing regular feedback and coaching.
- Coordinated cross-departmental efforts to streamline operations, significantly enhancing efficiency and productivity.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and adopting best practices across division.
3 Years 5 Months
01.2019 - 06.2022
3 Years 5 Months
Health, Safety & Environmental Manager
C-Automation Inc./Services LLC | Houston, TX
01.2019 - 06.2022
- Led HSE programs for industrial operations, ensuring OSHA/industry compliance and managing safety recordkeeping/statistics.
- Conducted hundreds of safety audits and developed robust site-specific HSE plans and procedures.
- Overhauled and rewrote company EHS manuals, code of conduct, and business ethics statements.
- Served as DER for DISA, managing drug testing, pre-qualification systems (ISN.net, TAPPISAFE), and fleet safety (MVRs/COIs).
- Delivered effective onboarding, background checks, and workforce training to improve safety culture and compliance.
- Conducted environmental, health and safety impact assessments to identify potential risks and mitigation strategies.
- Served as a liaison between internal teams and regulatory agencies during inspections or investigations related to safety matters.
- Improved environmental, health, and safety compliance by conducting regular audits and implementing corrective actions.
- Conducted regular reviews of environmental, health, and safety policies and procedures, updating to reflect changes in industry best practices or regulatory requirements.
- Developed and implemented environmental management systems ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate sustainability practices within organizational operations.
- Established partnerships with regulatory agencies to ensure alignment with evolving safety standards.
- Performed site assessments prior to property acquisitions or expansions, examining potential contamination issues that could impact future operations or liabilities associated with historical activities at the site.
- Managed hazardous materials inventory, ensuring proper storage, handling, and disposal procedures were followed consistently.
- Assisted with development of health and safety plans for hazardous materials.
- Investigated accidents and analyzed root causes to develop corrective action plans.
7 Years 11 Months
09.2011 - 08.2019
7 Years 11 Months
Internal Control & Operations Manager
Montex Properties / Lantern Village Apartments | Houston, TX
09.2011 - 08.2019
- Managed security, safety, investigations, and operations for a 1,800-unit residential property (4,000+ residents).
- Supervised 26 security officers and 4 off-duty HPD officers.
- Oversaw OSHA compliance, equipment procurement, and $750K+ departmental budget.
- Conducted incident investigations, policy updates, and safety training for all employees.
- Streamlined property management processes to enhance operational efficiency and tenant satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented staff training programs to improve team performance and service delivery.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing community engagement initiatives, fostering resident relationships.
- Established vendor partnerships to enhance service quality while managing operating costs effectively.
- Supervised operations staff and kept employees compliant with company policies and procedures.
- Empowered employees to take ownership of their responsibilities, leading to increased accountability and improved performance outcomes.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill business requirements.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external vendors and suppliers.
- Analyzed and reported on key performance metrics to senior management.
- Established positive and effective communication among unit staff and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications and missed deadlines.
- Directed initiatives to improve work environment, company culture or overall business strategy.
- Championed safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment, reducing workplace accidents significantly.
- Led successful change initiatives, ensuring seamless transitions during organizational restructuring efforts.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by establishing clear communication channels and addressing concerns promptly.
- Facilitated smooth collaboration between departments through clear communication channels.
- Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe, or ineffective practices.
- Achieved higher employee retention rates by fostering a positive work environment and providing opportunities for professional growth.
1 Year
02.2008 - 02.2009
1 Year
Security Specialist
Point 2 Point Security Consultants | Houston, TX
02.2008 - 02.2009
5 Years
02.2003 - 02.2008
5 Years
Senior Officer/Field Training Officer
University of Texas Police Department | Houston, TX
02.2003 - 02.2008
- Responded promptly to emergency calls, providing critical support during high-pressure situations.
- Conducted routine patrols to ensure safety and security of campus community.
- Assisted in investigations by collecting evidence and documenting incidents accurately.
- Trained new officers on departmental protocols, promoting adherence to best practices in policing.
- Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop their skills and advance in their careers.
- Improved department efficiency by streamlining and implementing policies and processes.
- Coordinated operations with other emergency service groups.
- Led critical missions to ensure public safety, achieving significant reductions in crime rates.
- Conducted thorough investigations into complex cases, leading to successful resolution of numerous incidents.
2 Years
01.2001 - 01.2003
2 Years
Environmental Technician
Entech Engineering Inc. | Houston, TX
01.2001 - 01.2003
3 Years 1 Month
01.1996 - 02.1999
3 Years 1 Month
Police Officer
University of Houston Police Department | Houston, TX
01.1996 - 02.1999
- Responded to calls for service, ensuring community safety and security on campus.
- Conducted regular patrols, monitoring university grounds for suspicious activity and potential hazards.
- Assisted in investigations by gathering evidence and documenting incidents according to departmental procedures.
- Collaborated with campus organizations to promote crime prevention and safety awareness initiatives.
- Trained new officers on departmental protocols, enhancing team performance and operational readiness.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices, maintaining a high level of expertise within the field of law enforcement.
- Displayed sound judgment under pressure when making critical decisions that impact public safety during emergency situations.
- Answered emergency calls for help from citizens and business owners.
- Enhanced public safety by conducting routine patrols and responding to emergency calls promptly.
- Utilized excellent communication skills when interacting with diverse populations, fostering trust between law enforcement and the community members they serve.
- Secured crime scenes, gathered evidence, and questioned witnesses.
- Patrolled assigned areas to check homes, businesses, and public roads for signs of disturbance.
- Handled domestic disputes tactfully, de-escalating tensions while providing appropriate support to affected individuals.
- Effectively diffused potentially dangerous situations through verbal negotiation techniques before escalating force was necessary.
- Reduced criminal activity in assigned areas through proactive policing and community engagement.
- Investigated and reported crimes, accidents, offenses, and damage to property.
- Testified effectively in court, contributing to successful prosecutions of offenders.
- Conducted thorough investigations for various cases, leading to timely resolutions and justice served.
- Conducted witness interviews and gathered details regarding incidents to determine best course of action.
- Enforced traffic laws diligently, promoting road safety and reducing accident rates.
- Responded immediately to reports of automobile accidents and criminal activity, calling for additional support as necessary.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation, ensuring proper evidence handling and information sharing among relevant parties.
- Conducted preliminary investigations at scenes of major crimes.
- Managed crowd control during events, ensuring public safety while minimizing disruptions to attendees or surrounding communities.
- Patrolled assigned areas to prevent and detect roadway crimes.
- Apprehended offenders and conducted interviews and interrogations.
- Mentored junior officers on the importance of ethical behavior, accountability, and professionalism in their role as public servants.
- Responded to emergency calls to provide assistance to citizens in need.
1 Year
01.1995 - 01.1996
1 Year
Narcotics Investigator
Bellville Police Department | Bellville, TX
01.1995 - 01.1996
Skills
Risk & Resilience Leadership
Organizational Resilience & Business Continuity
Crisis & Disaster Response
Emergency Preparedness & Incident Command
OSHA
ISO 45001
ISO 14001 & ISO 31000 Compliance
Regulatory Compliance & Auditing
Certification
- Certified Safety Manager (NASP), #666578, 05/01/26, 05/01/29
- Certified EHS Manager (Velocity 360), 02/01/27
- ISO 45001:2018 Lead Auditor
- ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor
- ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management
- FMEA Certification
- OSHA 511 (TEEX), 04/01/23
- OSHA 30-HR (Construction)
- NCCER Field Safety, Safety Technology, CSST 100, CSSS, CSSO
- HAZWOPER 40-Hour
- First Aid/CPR/AED, Blood Borne Pathogen, 05/01/27
- Direct Action Response Training/Bleeding Control, 06/01/27
- CRASE Instructor
- Infrastructure Liaison Officer
- Active Attack Event Response Leadership
Honors And Awards
- Circle of Excellence Award, Harris County Precinct 2
- Leadership Recognition, Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
- Recognition for Support of Spring ISD Police Standard Response Protocol
- Employee of the Month, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Additional Professional Education
- Basic Peace Officer's License, University of Houston: Criminal Justice Center
- Security Officer Training I, II & III, TX Dept. of Public Safety
- EMT Courses, San Jacinto College
Timeline
Division Manager, Risk/Emergency Management & Organizational Resilience
Harris County Precinct 2 - Commissioner's Office
09.2022 - 07.2026Read more
Health, Safety & Environmental Manager
C-Automation Inc./Services LLC
01.2019 - 06.2022Read more
Internal Control & Operations Manager
Montex Properties / Lantern Village Apartments
09.2011 - 08.2019Read more
Security Specialist
Point 2 Point Security Consultants
02.2008 - 02.2009Read more
Senior Officer/Field Training Officer
University of Texas Police Department
02.2003 - 02.2008Read more
Environmental Technician
Entech Engineering Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2003Read more
Police Officer
University of Houston Police Department
01.1996 - 02.1999Read more
Narcotics Investigator
Bellville Police Department
01.1995 - 01.1996Read more