Senior Safety Engineer, Research and Standards Health Unit

Job Description and Duties

***Please ensure application is complete with detailed job description/tasks performed, employment beginning and ending date information, and hours worked per week.***

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 a part of a team that prides itself in making a difference for Californians.

What will be the difference that you make for California?

Cal/OSHA is seeking a Senior Safety Engineer (Industrial) (SSE) to join the team at the Cal/OSHA Research and Standards Health Unit (R&SHU).  

Under the direction of the Principal Safety Engineer (Industrial), the SSE handles the more varied, complex, and sensitive health and safety issues in the evaluation and development of Title 8 regulations; provision of technical assistance to Cal/OSHA staff and outside labor, management and the general public; and evaluation of requests for a variance from Title 8 regulations. 

***This position is full-time, limited term up to 12 months; and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.***

There is one position that may be filled in either Oakland, Sacramento or Santa Ana. Please see all postings under different job control in CalCareers. If you are interested in the position at more than one location, please submit a new application for each job control.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Senior Safety Engineer 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, please click here to access the exam bulletin:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This job is located at:  DOSH Research and Standards Health Unit 2 MacArthur Place, 7 th FL Suite 700, Santa Ana, CA 92707.

If you are interested in the position at more than one location, please submit a new application for each job control.

The work will primarily occur indoors in a large, pleasant, modern office environment within a high-rise building where access is achieved by elevator. The office environment will consist of cubicles, small offices, and file storage areas. The work will involve use of typical office tools such as computers, telephones, printers, scanners, staplers and filing apparatus. The work will involve exposure to typical office noise, extensive time spent in a stationary position, and repetitive movement involving personal computers, telephones and other equipment. The work will involve frequent interaction with coworkers.

Work will require travel elsewhere in the state to training facilities and other workplaces (e.g. healthcare, manufacturing or construction job sites). Field work could involve significantly different conditions than described above, including exposure to hazards such as outdoor conditions in inclement weather, uneven terrain, heights, moving equipment, and biological, chemical and physical agents.

Required travel would occur via private vehicle, state vehicle, or public transportation (i.e. automobile, airplane, etc.) and could include overnight travel within California.

• Our Santa Ana office is located in a newly remodeled building with state-of-the-art video and telecom systems.  
• It has a gym that is free to tenants.  
• It provides reserved and unreserved parking for a fee. 
• It is less than a mile from John Wayne Airport and has nearby access to freeway 55 and 405. 
• It is within walking distance to public transportation, South Coast Plaza, sandwich shops, and ethnic restaurants including Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Italian that are great for dining with co-workers or friends for lunch

Special Requirements

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: 

• A cover letter which describes how your experience prepares you for the duties described in the duty statement. Specify the number of years of experience you have that prepares you for the different duties. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages long with one-inch margins, 12-point Arial font.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• A commitment to safe workplaces and to public service.
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and/or Certified Safety Professional (CSP). 
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Knowledge of diverse and varied work processes in a variety of industrial sectors. 
• Knowledge of the more complex aspects of identifying, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards.
• Knowledge of industrial advanced safety engineering and accident prevention principles.
• Knowledge of the California Labor Code, Title 8 Code of Regulations, and Cal/OSHA organization. 
• Knowledge of the California Administrative Procedures Act and the OSH Standards Board.
• Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and Teams. 
• Skills to effectively address large groups and conduct effective meetings, presentations and trainings. 
• Skills to effectively research, evaluate and analyze the more difficult safety and health problems and controls. 
• Skills to compose clear and compelling documents on complex health and safety subjects.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions. 
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws, regulations and legal decisions.
• Ability to work with a high degree of initiative and independence. 
• Ability to identify sensitive or confidential information and handle it appropriately. 
• Ability to be flexible and handle unexpected developments, evaluate situations accurately, think creatively, and respond effectively under strict time constraints.
• Ability to manage time, manage multiple projects, prioritize, and complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Ability to tactfully consult with labor, management, and public groups on complex and sensitive safety engineering problems, maintain the confidence and respect of others, and contribute to a collegial work environment.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Health, Dental & Vision Benefits; Paid Sick, Vacation and Holidays; 401(k), 457, and ROTH IRA plans; Retirement (CalPERS); Military Leave; Reimbursement Accounts; Public Transit Subsidy And many more!

Visit for a full list of available benefits.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at Show phone number.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other - Cover Letter: Please see Special requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Cover Letter.