Principal Safety Engineer

California Department of Industrial Relations; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Industrial Relations (Cal/OSHA) seeks a Principal Safety Engineer (Elevators) to lead the Elevator Unit, shaping safety engineering practices, inspections, and certifications of conveyances across California.

The role involves supervising staff, setting priorities, and ensuring unit operations align with DIR-DOSH directives, with statewide travel to support districts and respond to safety challenges.

Qualifications

• The Principal Safety Engineer leads safety engineering policy development and applies inspection and permitting processes for elevators and conveyances.
• They oversee certification of conveyance companies, mechanics, and inspectors.
• Role includes supervision, training, and discipline management of staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff and evaluate performance across Elevator Unit District Offices.
• Plan, schedule, direct, and review work to ensure policy implementation and safety compliance.
• Travel within the state to support division missions and district offices.

Job description

Working at the Cal/OSHA means much more than showing up for a job. You will be able to work on programs that are vital to the health and safety of our community, work force, and the state. We recognize the strength in teamwork. We know that by encouraging collaboration and diversity, educating employers in best practices, and protecting the health and safety of employees through enforcement of the California Labor Code and regulations will benefit our economy as a whole. Be part of a team that prides itself in making a difference for Californians.

What will be the difference that you make for California?

Under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Consultation Services, Process Safety Management and Engineering Services within the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH or Cal/OSHA), the Principal Safety Engineer (Elevators) has full supervisory and oversight responsibility of the Cal/OSHA Elevator Unit and local Elevator Unit District Offices. The Principal Safety Engineer implements and participates in the development of the overall Division policies relating to matters involving safety engineering, inspection, and permitting of elevators and other conveyances, along with the certification of conveyance companies, conveyance mechanics, and conveyance inspectors. The Principal Safety Engineer supervises, plans, schedules, directs, assigns, evaluates, and reviews the work of staff members (Office Support [e.g., Office Assistant, and/or Office Technician], Management Services Technicians, Analyst I, Associate Safety Engineers (Elevators)) through subordinate supervisors, Senior Safety Engineers (Elevators), engaged in the administration and implementation of the Cal/OSHA Elevator Unit's work. The Principal Safety Engineer is responsible for the training, upward mobility, and maintaining discipline of employees under their supervision. The Principal Safety Engineer ensures that the Elevator Unit District Offices function and operate in accordance with DIR-DOSH directives, rules, policies, and procedures and that staff promotes the DIR-DOSH Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals. The Principal Safety Engineer sets priorities, evaluates performance of staff, and travels throughout the State.

There is only one (1) position that may be filled in either Arcadia, Oakland, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, or Santa Ana. Please see other postings under a different job control in CalCareers for the other locations. If you are interested in more than one location, please submit an application to each job control.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR

• 249.3

To be considered for the Principal Safety Engineer (Elevators) job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Division of Occupational Safety and Health - Elevator District Office - Oakland

1515 Clay Street, Suite 407B, Oakland CA 94612

Primarily working in an office that requires remaining in a prolonged stationary position using a personal computer and cell phone and frequently responding to telephone and email inquiries. Traveling via private, state vehicle, or public transportation (e.g., automobile, airplane, etc.) including occasional overnight travel. The position requires the ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time; enter/exit vehicles, may also conduct field work that consists of ascending/descending elevator hoist ways; accessing elevator car tops, machine rooms, elevator pits, and machinery spaces around elevators, escalators, and other conveyances; and transporting up to 25 lbs. of work equipment or materials.