Caitlin “Caity” Noe, a Health and Safety Instructor at Chesterfield County’s Learning and Performance Center, has built her career on service and education. Her professional journey began at age 20 when she joined the U.S. Air Force, working in bioenvironmental engineering with a focus on industrial hygiene and occupational health.
After four years in the military, Noe moved to the private sector as an Environmental Health and Safety engineer at Howmet Aerospace. There, she managed industrial hygiene programs, occupational health protocols, and served on the emergency response team while also attending school full-time through the G.I. Bill. The demanding schedule led her to seek new opportunities, eventually bringing her to Chesterfield County.
Now completing her second year as a Health and Safety Instructor, Noe provides a range of safety classes tailored to various departments’ needs. Her instruction covers topics such as OSHA training, CPR/AED use, trenching, confined space entry, and golf cart safety. She offers both classroom-based and hands-on sessions.
Noe also conducts targeted training after workplace incidents to help departments improve their processes and prevent future issues. Her work serves state employees as well as county and school staff.
Reflecting on her impact in the community, Noe said: “I guess the thing with safety is that a lot of times it’s already implemented. It’s difficult to see it in the community, but I 100% see it with my workers.” She added that many of those she trains directly serve the public: “When I go into new shops, I see the way that they may approach things differently after getting more training or education. They may approach our processes in a safer way or implement stop culture.”
On how her job benefits Chesterfield County, Noe explained: “I’d saying by keeping Chesterfield compliant with OSHA standards. If we’re not compliant, we can get OSHA fines or OSHA can come visit us.” She emphasized that educating employees is essential for workplace safety: “If they don’t know the hazards, or they don’t know the personal protection equipment they’re supposed to be wearing, and they’re not educated in it, then they’re probably not going to protect themselves.”
Noe described her favorite part about working for Chesterfield County: “Honestly, I love my team. The people that are here have just been incredible and kind. They’re always welcoming, they’re always funny, and they’re so respectful — I just work with such good people all the time.” She also praised county leadership: “I just feel like Chesterfield County actually really, really cares about their employees.”
Discussing what she enjoys most about her role, Noe said: “My favorite part is meeting new people and making new connections with people, and kind of building that trust… To be able to cultivate a better safety culture where people just want to chit chat with safety…that’s one of the best parts.”
Noe credited her experience at Chesterfield County for teaching her about trust: “Being here at Chesterfield County has really opened my eyes that there are such good people here that want me to succeed; they push me to be better.”
Outside of work, Noe pursues creative hobbies including painting, drawing, sculpting, knitting, crocheting—and is training as a bodybuilder. She also spends time with Brutus, her Great Dane-boxer mix.
For more information about Chesterfield’s Learning and Performance Center visit their website.
