Occupational Safety & Health Specialist 2

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist 2 for its Enterprise Risk Management Division in Olympia, Washington. This full-time permanent position plays a crucial role in coordinating and developing statewide components of the WSDA Agriculture's comprehensive emergency preparedness program, focusing on employee security, safety, and health. The role ensures compliance with federal and state laws, including OSHA and WISHA regulations, and involves developing and implementing emergency preparedness plans, hazard mitigation, and response strategies. The position also coordinates with various state, federal, and local agencies, manages the department's emergency preparedness across seven divisions and the director's office in 39 counties, and ensures adherence to all applicable environmental, safety, and health regulations. This is a non-represented position with a typical starting salary range of $67,704 to $88,788 annually.

Requirements

• Must hold and maintain a valid WA State driver’s license.
• A bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied field.
• Three years of professional experience in occupational safety and health programs.
• Equivalent education/experience.

Nice To Haves

• A master's degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied field may be substituted for two of the three years of the above professional work experience requirement.
• Two (2) years' experience overseeing a workplace respirator program
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certified Instructor

Responsibilities

• Oversees, administers, develops, and coordinates components of the department-wide emergency preparedness program.
• Oversee, implement, and sustain an internal emergency preparedness program by preparing for and mitigating, responding to and recovering from disasters through direction, consultation, and technical expertise for the agency.
• Develop and administer critical emergency preparedness functions by reviewing the department's policies and the divisions/program emergency procedures.
• Oversee and sustain a functional Emergency preparedness program.
• Coordinate and direct the agency ID card program.
• Provide quality emergency preparedness updates.
• Implement active communication; provide educational materials.
• Ensure a safe workplace exists; and conduct site visits throughout various workplace environments.
• Provide expert advice for personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Maintain department-wide emergency preparedness plans, evacuations, standard operating procedures and manuals.
• Anticipate, plan, coordinate, and send out inclement weather and natural disaster notifications to the leadership team and the department, as needed.
• Research state and federal rules and regulations.
• Provide technical assistance, and direction in support of state and local emergency management/preparedness programs.
• Oversee and coordinate the Washington State Department of Agriculture Emergency Operations Center (EOC), when requested by the department.
• Serve on campus committees and task teams.
• Attend and represent the department with external committees, boards, and other federal and State agencies on matters pertaining to emergency management or preparedness operations/events.
• Advise and work with other state agency emergency management/preparedness professionals to continuously develop plans and prepare for any emergency.
• Drive agency vehicle throughout the state to perform emergency preparedness operations.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with the department's respirator and fit-testing program.
• Oversee, facilitate, ensure all employees requiring fit-testing certification and recertification's are conducted to ensure compliance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-842-11005, federal/local laws and regulations, department policy and procedures, and 3M licensed health care provider.
• Coordinate core program requirements: administration, policy, written program, medical evaluations, employee training, recordkeeping.
• Oversee and execute fit-testing specifics: initial and subsequent testing; method Operations; prerequisites, and re-testing.
• Oversee, coordinate, and implement agency-wide training for Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Wilderness Remote First Aid and Evacuation/Concealment Room trainings and certifications.
• Schedule, coordinate, and execute statewide First Aid/CPR/AED and Wilderness Remote First Aid trainings through the following practices: oversee administration and policy (program scope, procedure, and SOP); provide training, content, and delivery (emergency response principles, CPR, First Aid, AED instruction, and hands-on practice); maintain equipment and supplies (first aid kits, AED deployment and sustainment, PPE, and necessary training equipment); provide maintenance and evaluation (skills testing, recertification schedule, program review, data tracking, and transparent reporting.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate emergency preparedness training and educational activities.
• Coordinate, sustain, and train all Washington State Department of Agriculture's evacuation plans, routes, and teams [red hats]. while maintaining plans and overseeing communication (radios).
• Coordinate and oversee the department's participation in Everbridge WA State Alerts and other emergency notification systems such as: 800MHZ and Motorola radios; department satellite phones; and WSDA EOC employee emergency notification system.
• Perform operational tests and maintain various telephonies, radio frequency, and internet-based communication and information technology systems.

Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Recognition Leave
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

What This Job Offers

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