See Occupational Safety and Health Specialist 1.

This is the senior and/or lead level of the series. Positions at this level advise other health and safety staff and agency/higher educational institutional departments, administrators, and personnel. Positions apply advanced knowledge and technical expertise in administering safety, health, and industrial hygiene policies, programs, regulations, systems, training, and/or procedures to meet agency/higher education institutional needs.

As a senior-level specialist, develops and administers occupational safety, health, and industrial hygiene programs Integrates regulations with the needs of the entire agency/higher education institution. Exercises decision-making authority and advises other health and safety professionals and agency/higher education institution departments, administrators, and personnel in highly complex matters related to specialty area(s). Directs other Occupational Safety and Health Specialist positions in large-scale or highly complex inspections and investigations.

As a lead, regularly assigns, instructs, plans and checks the work of OSHS staff and evaluates the performance of employees on an ongoing basis.

Provides leadership functions such as assisting others with highly complex problem resolution, recommending courses of action, and training other agency/higher education institution health and safety professionals.

Develops and administers safety programs, policies and procedures; reviews and assess needs and makes policy change recommendations;

Performs research and analysis of safety policies, programs, rules, procedures and legislation; analyzes proposed legislation and recommends agency’s/higher education institution’s position;

Provides leadership, advice and technical expertise to other health and safety professionals responsible for analyzing organizational problems and developing strategies for successful resolution;

Serves on committees and task teams; represents the agency/higher education institution before external committees, boards and agencies on matters pertaining to specialty area; consults on agency goals, regulatory compliance and integration of new regulations, safety and health protocols, and industry best practices;

Assists other health and safety professionals with difficult cases, problems, and/or analysis; recommends strategies for addressing particularly complex or sensitive problems;

Directs lower level positions in the series or other safety and health staff in conducting large-scale complex, or highly specialized inspections/investigations; in working out solutions to particularly difficult problems of hazard mitigation;

Develops and coordinates implementation of program methods designed to minimize levels of occupational health hazards and pollutants;

Participates in the planning and conducting of industrial hygiene research projects; participates in medical surveillance monitoring activities;

Analyzes and evaluates findings and/or laboratory data concerning occupational health hazards and determines root cause and effect resulting in incidents and develops and recommends mitigation strategies;


Fulfills safety and emergency response duties through incident response during emergency operations activation;

Plans and coordinates projects of major significance to agency/higher education institution’s health and safety function;

Consults with experts in fields related to area(s) of specialization such as risk management, expert legal counsel and representatives of state and federal agencies;

Develops safety, health, and industrial hygiene training courses and curriculum;

Represents the agency/higher education institution to Department of Labor and Industries, other outside agencies, community members, and contractors such as pollution control agencies, pesticide contractors, disposal contractors concerning hazardous wastes, and public or employee work exposures;

Interprets findings and recommendations of industrial hygiene testing, analysis and/or investigations; consults with management to implement recommendations;
Gathers samples of air, dusts, liquids and industrial materials; uses direct reading instruments for measurement of noise, non-ionizing radiation, vibration, temperatures and chemical contamination; analyzes and reports on survey results and laboratory data;

Presents reports of investigations or consultation results to management, covering the investigation conducted, the findings and the minimum standards which must be met; follows up to check progress and effectiveness of changes instituted;

Identifies trends in reporting data and develops mitigation strategies;

Initiates stop-work-authority when a perceived or known unsafe working condition, practice, or behavior exists;

Perform related duties as required.

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; sampling and direct measuring techniques for chemical and physical hazards, noise and non-ionizing radiation; industrial processes and occupational hazards; common industrial chemicals, chemical by-products and their air contamination potential; hazard potential of dusts, gases, vapors, noise and non-ionizing radiation; routine analytical procedures.

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; explain technical procedures and findings; use industrial hygiene sampling equipment such as gas and vapor detectors, noise dosimeters and direct reading instruments; speak effectively; write clear, concise reports.

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.

Some positions may require certification as a Certified Safety Professional granted by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and/or Certified Industrial Hygienist granted by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

New class adopted June 1, 2002.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revised job title, definition, distinguishing characteristics typical work, legal requirements and desirable qualifications; added class series concept and knowledge and abilities; base range increase from 55 to 61; adopted June 23, 2025; effective July 1, 2025.