Senior Occupational Safety Investigator (Field)

State of Washington; Everett (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WFSE represented

Job summary

State of Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) seeks a Compliance Industrial Safety & Health Investigator 3 (CISHI3) in Everett. You will conduct safety and health investigations across private and public sectors, undertake inspections, and prepare reports to support enforcement under WISHA.

The position offers extensive training, field mentorship, and opportunities to grow within a respected state program.

Qualifications

• BS in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, or similar with professional safety experience.
• Five years of occupational safety/professional experience or equivalent (DOSH/OSHA/regulatory).
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct safety and health investigations across private and public sectors, including high-profile cases.
• Complete inspections and investigation reports with proper classification of violations and penalties.
• Support statewide policy consistency by coordinating with DOSH Management, AG’s Office, and other agencies.
• Inspect sites and provide technical expertise on challenging cases.
• Manage workloads and analyze data trends to improve worker safety.
• Undertake field investigations in diverse environments and report findings.

Skills

Investigations

Regulatory enforcement

Communication

Field work

Safety culture

Education

BS in occupational safety/industrial hygiene

Job description

Our Mission:Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Protect Workers. Prevent Tragedies. Make a Real Impact in Washington State.

At the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), our mission is simple but powerful: Keep Washington Safe and Working. The Division of Occupational Safety (DOSH) Compliance Safety & Health Investigators are at the heart of that mission stepping into a wide range of workplaces, uncovering hazards, preventing injuries and fatalities, and helping employers and employees build safer work cultures across the state.

We’re looking for driven, detail-oriented professionals to join us as a Compliance Industrial Safety & Health Investigator 3 (CISHI3). Whether you come to us with early-career expertise or years of experience, we’ll invest in you with a structured in-training plan, 360+ hours of classroom instruction, field mentorship, and on-the-job investigations that build your skills toward conducting independent investigations and inspections.

This is more than a job, it’s a chance to serve your community, grow your career, and make safety a legacy you leave across Washington.

**In addition to the base salary**

Industrial Hygienists and Safety & Health Professionals will be compensated basic salary plus 10%for each hour they are required to use personal protective equipment (excluding hard hats, boots, hearing and eye protection) to enter a hazardous worksite to consult, inspect or investigate where serious hazards are present.

AND IF BILINGUAL

If hired as bilingual (not required), after passing an assessment of your ability to write and speak fluently. We do not use translating software. Employees with bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% increase in pay.

AND

All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for this position will be provided by L&I DOSH as specified in WAC 296-800-16020.

At the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), our Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is on a mission to keep Washington's workers safe and healthy. We administer the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) Chapter 49.17 RCW, by developing and enforcing workplace safety and health standards that protect workers from hazardous job conditions.

We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules.This position can be offered with a flexible schedule (4/10’s, 5/8’s etc.) once fully trained and approved by management.

For this position, teleworking is permitted on occasion dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. The assigned duty station isEverett, WA.

Learn more about DOSH here:50 Years of DOSH

Some of what you will do:This role is pivotal in maintaining Washington’s status as an OSHA-approved State Plan program, one that is"at least as effective"as the federal standard.

• Conduct safety and health investigations across both private and public sectors, including complex, high-profile cases (e.g., fatalities and catastrophes).
• Complete inspections and investigation reports ensuring legal sufficiency and proper classification of violations and penalties.
• Support statewide consistency in policy and enforcement by working closely with DOSH Management, Compliance Operations, the Attorney General’s Office, and other regulatory agencies.
• Conduct inspections and provide technical expertise on challenging or unusual cases.
• Drive improvement by managing workloads, analyzing data trends, and help shape the future of worker safety in Washington.
• And much more!

Driving is an essential function of this position. The incumbent is required to travel between worksites to perform assigned duties and must operate a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personally owned vehicle (POV), as appropriate. Use of a POV will be reimbursed at the current state mileage reimbursement rate.

Must be able to safely navigate a variety of work environments, including large manufacturing facilities with metal stairways, catwalks, ladders, and uneven terrain. Must also be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, using appropriate protective gear.

Who We’re Looking For:

Experienced safety pros - people with backgrounds in and a passion for safety, industrial hygiene, occupational health, or related fields
Sharp critical thinkers who can untangle complex situations and communicate findings with confidence
Strong, steady communicators who can stay calm, professional, and effective even when conversations get tough especially with frustrated or angry employers
Coachable go-getters who want feedback, seek growth, and are excited to level up their skills
Field-ready teammates who thrive in dynamic environments and are motivated by meaningful public service
Driven learners eager to dive into extensive training, hands-on investigations, and continual skill-building

REQUIRED:

• A valid and unrestricted driver's license
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

And one of the following:

• Five years’ experience as a DOSH Compliance Industrial Safety and Health Investigator (CISHI) or equivalent experience as a Federal OSHA or other state plan journey-level safety and health specialist or industrial hygienist.

OR

• Five years of full-time professional experience as an employer’s safety director or manager, industrial hygienist, safety and health specialist, etc.

OR

• A Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited university in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene or similar AND five years of occupational/industrial safety professional experience.

OR

• Seven years of full-time journey level occupational/industrial safety experience in one or more of the following industries: Government, military, public health or related safety and health field.

DESIRED:

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• 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

See all of our current L&I DOSH position openings here: Current L&I DOSH open positions

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Acover letterdescribing specific qualifications.
2. A currentresumedetailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Background Check Notice:

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented bytheWashington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’[e-mail].

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest source of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service.We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the recruiter,Lori Hensin (she/her/hers) at [e-mail].