VOSH Safety Engineer (Harrisonburg)

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Labor and Industry seeks a VOSH Safety Engineer for the Harrisonburg Regional Office. This full-time role focuses on inspections, hazard identification, and regulatory compliance to protect workers' safety and health.

You will collaborate with program and regional directors, prepare inspection reports, and help implement corrective actions. The position includes a comprehensive state benefits package and holidays, with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience explaining and/or understanding applying federal or state occupational safety and health standards and regulations.
• Knowledge or experience performing inspections to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health regulations.
• Knowledge or experience recommending controls and corrective actions of occupational safety and health hazards.
• Bilingual fluency speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for inspections by reviewing the employer’s history and researching industry practices and safety measures.
• Perform independent walk-around site visits and observations to identify hazards in the workplace.
• Identify and evaluate workplace exposures to health risks such as physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic stress factors.
• Document the effectiveness of occupational health programs, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct interviews with management and employees to determine exposure to hazards.
• Prepare case file documentation to include complete and accurate inspection reports and recommend citations for possible violations.
• Work closely with employers to ensure implementation of corrective measures for identified hazards.
• Evaluate employers’ efforts to reduce and eliminate hazards.
• Investigate occupational safety complaints reported by employees, as well as accidents, fatalities, and serious safety incidents in the workplace.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

PC skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

PPE usage

Job description

Title: VOSH Safety Engineer

State Role Title: Compliance/Safety Officer

Hiring Range: $55,311 – $84,599 Commensurate with Experience + Full State Benefits

Agency: Dept of Labor and Industry

Location: Harrisonburg Regional Office

Agency Website: www.doli.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Join Our Team as a VOSH Safety Engineer

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) is seeking dynamic and experienced professionals to serve as VOSH Safety Engineer. These full-time positions are based in our Northwest Regional Office located in Harrisonburg, VA.

Through your actions as a member of Virginia’s Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) team, you will help save lives and prevent injuries in the workplace. As a key member of the team, you will support the agency’s driving initiatives that promote workplace safety, health, and regulatory compliance. You will collaborate with Program Directors, Regional Directors, and Compliance Officers to support efforts to cultivate a culture of safety and accountability. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to DOLI’s mission of making Virginia a better place to live, work, and do business. Additional information about our agency can be found at www.doli.virginia.gov.

Why the State Government?

Joining state government means becoming part of something bigger than yourself. It’s a chance to make meaningful contributions to your community while enjoying purpose-driven work, and opportunities to grow professionally. Your talents can help Virginia thrive – this isn’t just a job, it’s a legacy.

Total Compensation:

As an Employer of Choice, the Commonwealth of Virginia offers a comprehensive total compensation package based on the entry level as shown in the table below. This includes state-funded retirement contributions under the VRS Hybrid Plan, comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, and 15 paid holidays annually. Additional information relating to the benefits available to eligible state employees can be found online at: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits.

What will you do?

• Prepare for inspections by reviewing the employer’s history and researching industry practices and safety measures.
• Perform independent walk-around site visits and observations to identify hazards in the workplace.
• Identify and evaluate workplace exposures to health risks such as but not limited to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic stress factors.
• Document the effectiveness of occupational health programs, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct interviews with management and employees to determine exposure to hazards.
• Prepare case file documentation to include complete and accurate inspection reports and recommend citations for possible violations.
• Work closely with employers to ensure implementation of corrective measures for identified hazards.
• Evaluate employers’ efforts to reduce and eliminate hazards.
• Investigate occupational safety complaints reported by employees, as well as accidents, fatalities, and serious safety incidents in the workplace.

What will you bring?

• Effective verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated ability to compose meaningful and accurate narrative reports and correspondence.
• Practical knowledge and demonstrated ability to use personal computers and the Microsoft office suite of 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 if required, and to properly use other types of PPE.
• Ability to perform job duties objectively and effectively in scenes where individuals may have sustained serious injuries or death.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge or experience explaining and/or understanding applying federal or state occupational safety and health standards and regulations.
• Knowledge or experience performing inspections to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health regulations.
• Knowledge or experience recommending controls and corrective actions of occupational safety and health hazards.

Additional Considerations

• 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 testifying in court.
• Certification in an occupational safety or health discipline issued by a recognized organization such as the Board of Certified Safety Professionals or the Board for Global EHS Credentialing, including Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH), Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Safety Manager (CSM), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), or similar.
• Familiarity with OSHA sampling techniques, conducting job hazard analyses and occupational safety exposure assessments.
• Bilingual fluency speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish.

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel overnight occasionally.
• Ability to respond to emergency calls after-hours on a rotational schedule or as needed.
• Ability to perform moderate physical activity that includes, but is not limited to, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, walking up and down inclines, occasionally lifting and carrying loads up to 30 pounds, etc.
• The selected candidate must pass a criminal background investigation, and successfully serve a 12-month probationary period effective from the date of employment if beginning employment as an original hire or re-employment.

You must be a citizen or national of the U.S., Lawful Permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.

Virginia Department of Labor and Industry does not provide sponsorship; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., Lawful Permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States.

The Department of Labor and Industry is committed to the goal of equal employment opportunity, with the intention that every employee and applicant for employment shall have an equal opportunity to be judged based on their fitness and merit to participate in the terms, conditions, privileges, and benefits of employment. All candidates are afforded opportunities without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.

The Department of Labor and Industry will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation to provide access to the application and/or interview process. If any assistance is needed when applying online, please contact DOLI [e-mail].

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.