L&I DOSH Agriculture Safety Compliance Investigator (CISHI3) Bilingual Spanish

State of Washington • Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH), is hiring an Agriculture Safety Compliance Industrial Safety & Health Investigator (CISHI3) to help protect workers and prevent workplace injuries and fatalities. The position supports Washington’s OSHA-approved State Plan program by conducting complaint referrals, scheduled inspections, and safety and health investigations, primarily in agriculture. Investigations may involve private- and public-sector workplaces and complex, high-profile events such as fatalities and catastrophes. The role includes structured training, more than 360 hours of classroom instruction, field mentorship, and on-the-job investigations toward conducting independent investigations and inspections.

The investigator completes legally sufficient inspection and investigation reports, classifies violations and penalties, provides technical expertise on challenging cases, and works with DOSH management, Compliance Operations, the Attorney General’s Office, and other regulatory agencies to support consistent policy and enforcement. The position also involves managing workloads, analyzing data trends, and contributing to improvements in worker safety. Driving between worksites is an essential function. The investigator must operate a state-issued, motor pool, or personal vehicle as appropriate; personal vehicle use is reimbursed at the state mileage rate. Work may involve navigating facilities with metal stairs, catwalks, ladders, and uneven terrain, as well as extended outdoor work in varying weather with appropriate protective gear. Required PPE is provided by L&I DOSH. When required to use qualifying PPE at a hazardous worksite, employees receive an additional 10% of basic salary for those hours; employees hired with bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% pay increase after demonstrating fluency in Spanish through an assessment.

The assigned duty station may be any L&I location statewide, with a preference for East Wenatchee, Washington. Flexible schedules, such as 4/10 or 5/8 schedules, may be available after training and management approval. Telework is permitted occasionally, depending on business needs and supervisor approval. The position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). L&I may use the announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Requirements

• Valid and unrestricted driver's license.
• Fluent Spanish; candidates must pass an assessment of Spanish speaking and writing ability. Translating software is not used.
• Ability to take action to learn and grow.
• Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Meet at least one of the following qualification pathways: five years’ experience as a DOSH Compliance Industrial Safety and Health Investigator or equivalent journey-level safety and health specialist or industrial hygienist experience with Federal OSHA or another state plan; Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP); five years of full-time professional experience as an employer’s safety director or manager, industrial hygienist, safety and health specialist, or similar; seven years of full-time journey-level occupational/industrial safety experience in agriculture, government, military, public health, or a related safety and health field; or a bachelor of science degree from a regionally accredited university in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, or a similar field plus five years of occupational/industrial safety professional experience.
• Additional qualifying safety and health experience may substitute year for year for education. Qualifying experience includes conducting independent WISHA or OSHA workplace safety and health inspections or other regulatory workplace inspections; investigating accidents; and writing technical reports as a Safety & Health Officer, Consultant, Inspector, or in WISHA, OSHA, or related regulatory work.
• Ability to navigate varied work environments, including facilities with metal stairways, catwalks, ladders, and uneven terrain, and to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions.
• For travel requiring use of a privately owned vehicle on state business, valid unrestricted driver's license and insurance are required.
• Must possess work authorization that does not require employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated leadership in accident investigations, inspections, and regulatory enforcement.
• Ability to walk and inspect a wide range of work environments, from industrial plants to rugged outdoor job sites.
• Strong communication and conflict-resolution skills when working with employers, unions, and legal teams.
• Background and passion in safety, industrial hygiene, occupational health, or related fields.
• Critical-thinking skills and confidence communicating findings, including the ability to remain professional when conversations are difficult.
• Coachable approach, openness to feedback, interest in growth, and motivation to build skills through training and hands-on investigations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complaint referrals and scheduled inspections, primarily in the agriculture industry.
• Conduct safety and health investigations in private- and public-sector workplaces, including complex, high-profile cases such as fatalities and catastrophes.
• Complete inspection and investigation reports that are legally sufficient and properly classify violations and penalties.
• Work with DOSH management, Compliance Operations, the Attorney General’s Office, and other regulatory agencies to support statewide consistency in policy and enforcement.
• Conduct inspections and provide technical expertise on challenging or unusual cases.
• Manage workloads, analyze data trends, and help shape improvements in worker safety.
• Travel between worksites and operate a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personal vehicle as appropriate.

Benefits

• Retirement package for qualifying state employees.
• Competitive benefits package.
• Flexible scheduling may be available after training and management approval.
• Required personal protective equipment is provided by L&I DOSH.
• Additional 10% of basic salary for each hour qualifying PPE is required at a hazardous worksite.
• 5% pay increase for employees hired with bilingual responsibilities after passing the fluency assessment.
• Mileage reimbursement at the current state rate when a personal vehicle is used for work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level