L&I DOSH Occupational Safety Compliance Investigator 3 (CISHI3) Reg 5

State of Washington • Multiple Locations - Eastern Washington, WA

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH), is hiring a Compliance Industrial Safety & Health Investigator 3 (CISHI3) to help protect workers by identifying workplace hazards, preventing injuries and fatalities, and promoting safer work cultures. The role supports Washington’s OSHA-approved State Plan program and administration of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).

The investigator conducts safety and health investigations and inspections in private- and public-sector workplaces, including complex cases such as fatalities and catastrophes. The position includes a structured in-training plan, more than 360 hours of classroom instruction, field mentorship, and on-the-job investigations to develop skills toward independent investigations and inspections. Investigators prepare legally sufficient reports, classify violations and penalties, provide technical expertise, and coordinate with DOSH management, Compliance Operations, the Attorney General’s Office, and other regulatory agencies.

The assigned duty station may be Union Gap, East Wenatchee, or Moses Lake, Washington. Flexible schedules, such as four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days, may be available after training and management approval. Telework is permitted occasionally, depending on business needs and supervisor approval. Driving between worksites is an essential function; the employee may use a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personal vehicle, with personal-vehicle mileage reimbursed at the state rate. L&I provides required personal protective equipment. Industrial hygienists and safety and health professionals receive base salary plus 10% for each hour required to use specified PPE to enter a hazardous worksite. Employees hired for bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% pay increase after passing a fluency assessment.

Requirements

• A valid and unrestricted driver's license.
• 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 as a DOSH Compliance Industrial Safety and Health Investigator or equivalent journey-level experience as a Federal OSHA or other state-plan safety and health specialist or industrial hygienist; 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 government, military, public health, or a related safety and health field; or a Bachelor of Science degree 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 independent WISHA or OSHA workplace inspections; regulatory-related workplace inspections in construction, manufacturing, or other industries; accident investigations; and technical report writing.
• Must be able to travel between worksites and safely navigate a range of work environments, including industrial facilities and rugged outdoor job sites.
• Must have insurance when using a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Must have 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.
• Bilingual ability; applicants of all languages are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Conduct safety and health investigations in private- and public-sector workplaces, including complex, high-profile cases such as fatalities and catastrophes.
• Complete workplace inspections and prepare investigation reports that are legally sufficient and properly classify violations and penalties.
• Conduct inspections and provide technical expertise on challenging or unusual cases.
• Coordinate with DOSH management, Compliance Operations, the Attorney General’s Office, and other regulatory agencies to support statewide consistency in policy and enforcement.
• Manage workloads, analyze data trends, and contribute to improvements in worker safety in Washington.
• Travel between worksites and operate a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personal vehicle as appropriate.
• Navigate varied work environments, including industrial facilities, outdoor job sites, stairways, catwalks, ladders, and uneven terrain.

Benefits

• Eligible state employees may qualify for a retirement package at the end of their careers.
• Competitive benefits package.
• Required personal protective equipment is provided by L&I DOSH.
• Mileage reimbursement at the current state rate when a personal vehicle is used for work travel.
• A 5% pay increase for employees hired with bilingual responsibilities, after passing a fluency assessment.
• An additional 10% of base salary for each hour specified professionals are required to use qualifying PPE at hazardous worksites.

What This Job Offers

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