EHS & Workers’ Compensation Specialist

YMCA of San Diego County; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The YMCA of San Diego County is seeking an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) & Workers’ Compensation Specialist to support the association's program and manage the WC lifecycle. You will investigate incidents, monitor claims, and coordinate return-to-work options with carriers, TPAs, and medical providers.

You will administer Origami EHS software, maintain compliant records, and help implement EHS programs and policies across the organization.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management or related field.

Responsibilities

• Supports compliance with Cal/OSHA, EPA, San Diego County Hazmat, and local regulatory agencies, including preparing and maintaining required documentation.
• Conducts incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective actions follow-up to prevent recurrence.
• Administers the workers’ compensation claim lifecycle, ensuring timely injury reporting to carriers, file accuracy, and ongoing claim monitoring.
• Acts as the primary liaison between insurance carriers, TPAs, medical clinics, and supervisors to coordinate employee work status and return-to-work options.
• Serves as administrator for Origami EHS software including user management, forms and dashboards.
• Implements, maintains, and updates EHS programs, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews accident reports, medical documentation, and witness statements to identify injury and loss trends.
• Tracks key injury, illness, and safety performance metrics.
• Supports EHS initiatives, audits, and departmental tasks.
• Knowledge of Cal/OSHA standards, EPA guidelines, and local EHS codes.
• Understanding of California Workers’ Compensation laws and return-to-work protocols.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and evaluation skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication with medical providers, insurers, and staff.
• Adherence to privacy laws regarding medical records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and EHS software.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to identify and respond to critical incidents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Investigative skills

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Education

Associates degree in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management or related field

Associate Safety Professional (ASP)

Cal/OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Card

Fingerprinting requirement compliance

CPR and First Aid certification

Tools

Origami EHS software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

The Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) & Workers Compensation Specialist supports departmental initiatives and administering the Association’s Workers’ Compensation program, including initial injury reporting, ongoing claim monitoring, and return-to-work efforts. This position conducts incident investigations, regulatory compliance tracking, and the implementation of programs to mitigate workplace risks and promote employee safety. Serving as the primary liaison between employees, management, medical providers, and third-party administrators, the Specialist ensures compliant case management, accurate recordkeeping, and effective loss prevention.

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

Responsibilities

• Supports compliance with Cal/OSHA, EPA, San Diego County Hazmat, and local regulatory agencies, including preparing and maintaining required documentation.
• Conducts incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective actions follow-up to prevent recurrence.
• Administers the workers’ compensation claim lifecycle, ensuring timely injury reporting to carriers, file accuracy, and ongoing claim monitoring.
• Acts as the primary liaison between insurance carriers, Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), medical clinics, and supervisors to coordinate employee work status and return-to-work options (full/modified duty).
• Serves as a administrator for the enterprise EHS software (Origami) including adding and removing user access, building custom forms and dashboards, reset passwords, and assist staff with system troubleshooting and technical support.
• Assists in implementing, maintaining, and updating organizational EHS programs, policies, and standard operating procedures within company intranet and EHS software
• Reviews accident reports, medical documentation, and witness statements to compile data and identify injury and loss trends.
• Tracks, maintains, and reports key injury, illness, and safety performance metrics using EHS software and other trackers.
• Supports EHS initiatives, projects, audits, and general departmental tasks as directed by the EHS Executive Director.
• In-depth knowledge of Cal/OSHA standards, EPA guidelines, and local environmental health and safety codes.
• Practical understanding of California Workers’ Compensation laws, claims lifecycle management, and return-to-work protocols.
• Strong investigative, analytical, and evaluation skills to conduct workplace incident investigations, identify root causes and injury trends, and evaluate safety data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact professionally with medical providers, insurance carriers, supervisors, and staff and organizational ability to handle multiple ongoing case files.
• Strict adherence to privacy laws and guidelines regarding employee medical records, workers' compensation files, and sensitive personnel information.
• Proficiency in essential business software including Microsoft Office suite and familiarity with specialized EHS software.
• Ability to manage competing priorities simultaneously, maintain attention to detail, and meet tight reporting deadlines.
• Visual and auditory ability and physical capacity to quickly identify, assess, and respond effectively to critical incidents and emergencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management or related field required
• 3+ years' of environment, health, and safety experience in a general industry setting
• 3+ years' of direct experience administering California workers’ compensation
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP) designation
• Cal/OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Card
• Licensing, state law, and our government funders are required that all staff (hybrid, remote, or onsite) within YMCA San Diego County are fingerprinted prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications.
• CPR and First Aid certification is required within 30 days of hire and must be from one of the following certifying organizations:
  • American Red Cross
  • American Heart Association
  • American Safety & Health Institute

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego CountyOffice of Labor Standards and Enforcement.

Pay Range

USD $34.00 - USD $41.32 /Hr.