VOSH Industrial Hygienist (Norfolk)

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Norfolk, VA

26d•$55,311 - $84,599•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry is hiring full-time VOSH Industrial Hygienists for its Tidewater Regional Office in Norfolk, Virginia. As part of Virginia’s Occupational Safety and Health team, the role supports workplace safety, health, and regulatory compliance, helping prevent workplace injuries and save lives. The position collaborates with Program Directors, Regional Directors, and Compliance Officers to promote a culture of safety and accountability. The Industrial Hygienist prepares for and conducts workplace inspections, evaluates occupational health hazards and exposure risks, documents occupational health programs, interviews employers and employees, and prepares inspection reports with recommendations for possible citations. The role also works with employers on corrective measures, evaluates their efforts to reduce hazards, and investigates safety complaints, accidents, fatalities, and serious incidents. The position requires occasional overnight travel and availability to respond to after-hours emergency calls on a rotational schedule or as needed. It includes moderate physical activity, such as climbing stairs and ladders, bending, walking on inclines, and occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds. The selected candidate must pass a criminal background investigation and, for an original hire or re-employment, complete a 12-month probationary period.

Requirements

Knowledge or experience interpreting, explaining, and/or applying federal or state occupational safety and health standards and regulations.
Knowledge or experience conducting worksite safety and health inspections to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health regulations.
Knowledge or experience recommending controls and corrective actions for occupational safety and health hazards.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare accurate narrative reports and correspondence.
Practical knowledge and demonstrated ability to use personal computers and Microsoft Office applications.
Effective time-management and organizational skills.
Ability to establish and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships.
Ability to interact positively with customers in an inimical environment.
Ability to properly wear a respirator when required and use other types of personal protective equipment.
Ability to perform duties objectively and effectively at scenes where individuals may have sustained serious injuries or death.
Ability to travel overnight occasionally.
Ability to respond to after-hours emergency calls on a rotational schedule or as needed.
Ability to perform moderate physical activity, including climbing stairs and ladders, bending, walking up and down inclines, and occasionally lifting and carrying loads up to 30 pounds.
Must pass a criminal background investigation.
Must successfully serve a 12-month probationary period if beginning employment as an original hire or through re-employment.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience as an occupational safety and health professional in a private- or public-sector environment.
Experience conducting accident investigations and/or participating in legal proceedings, such as depositions and court testimony.
Experience performing asbestos inspections and/or project monitoring at asbestos abatement worksites.
Familiarity with OSHA sampling techniques, job hazard analyses, and occupational safety exposure assessments.
Fundamental knowledge of industrial hygiene sampling methods, control measures, equipment, and calculations, or experience in a science-related field.
Certification in an occupational safety or health discipline from a recognized organization, such as CIH, CAIH, GSP, CSP, CSM, OHST, CHST, or a similar credential.
Bilingual fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish.

Responsibilities

Prepare for inspections by reviewing employer histories and researching industry practices and safety measures.
Conduct independent walk-around site visits and observations to identify workplace hazards.
Identify and evaluate workplace exposures to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic health risks.
Document the effectiveness of occupational health programs, policies, and procedures.
Interview management and employees to determine exposure to hazards.
Prepare complete and accurate inspection reports and case-file documentation, and recommend citations for possible violations.
Work with employers to implement corrective measures for identified hazards.
Evaluate employers’ efforts to reduce and eliminate hazards.
Investigate employee-reported occupational safety complaints, accidents, fatalities, and serious workplace safety incidents.

Benefits

Health benefits, including comprehensive health insurance.
Paid leave, including vacation and other leave.
12 paid holidays (the posting also separately states 15 paid holidays annually).
Sickness and Disability Program.
Deferred Compensation with Cash Match.
Group, Optional Life, and Long-term Care Insurance.
Employee Assistance Program.
Wellness Program.
Retirement plans, including state-funded retirement contributions under the VRS Hybrid Plan.
State Employee Resources.
Flexible work schedules.