Definition

Administers an agency's comprehensive employee occupational safety and health programs to comply with state, and the Department of Labors’ Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Washington Industrial Safety and Health act (WISHA) rules, including developing and implementing any agency or geographic unique safety and health programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics

In the agency central headquarters office, functions as the only principle assistant to the agency’s Safety and Health Program Manager.

Typical Work

Administers a major program area for a large state agency consisting of comprehensive occupational safety and health services;

Exercises independent judgment under a broad policy charter to set agency safety and health program goals, objectives, policies and procedures; sets long-range strategies to comply with governmental policies and procedures;

Manages a staff of safety and health professionals representing different sub- technological specializations, including staff development, computer technology, fire technology, industrial hygiene, industrial engineering, management effectiveness measurement, qualitative analysis and motor vehicle operations;

Represents the agency regarding facility compliance issues before the Department of Labor and Industries Compliance Appeals Hearing Officer and the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals;

Creates new and varying loss control programs designed to minimize accidents/ injuries and related costs for employees, clients and public visitors;

Evaluates field safety programs, coordinates with other safety officers, manages and assists agencies to ascertain problem areas and ensure that department employees' work activities, facilities and equipment meet with established Federal, State, and local safety guidelines;

Manages the department's safety training program;

Monitors employee reports of safety hazards and safety committee operations;

Develops and manages a complete agency safety management audit system which interfaces with the agency safety awards program;

Manages the department's statewide safety and health technical consultation, inspection and accident investigation sub-programs;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: principles and practices of employee and public safety and health administration including safety and health education and training, accident investigation, self inspection, record keeping, publicity, safety committee operation and other services common to employee and public safety; principles and practices of organization and management.

Ability to: interpret safety rules and policies; establish and maintain a safe and healthful working environment within the assigned institution; maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees and the public; analyze and resolve a variety of safety and health problems; speak and write clearly.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Desirable Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied fields.

AND

Three years of professional experience in the administration of occupational safety and health programs.

Additional qualifying experience, as listed above, will substitute, year for year, for education.

Possession of a license as a Certified Safety Professional will substitute for education.

Class Specification History

New class: 4-15-88
Revised definition, add distinguishing characteristics and title change (formerly Safety Program Manager): 12-12-97, effective 7 1 98 as part of the 6767 legislation
New class code: (formerly 43950) effective July 1, 2007