Occupational Safety and Health Specialist 3 - Industrial Hygienist

About WSDOT The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! The Opportunity WSDOT is seeking a senior‑level Occupational Safety and Health Specialist 3 (OSHSPEC3)to support the agency’s Industrial Hygiene (IH) Program by identifying, evaluating, and helping control occupational health hazards across agency facilities, operations, properties, and construction and maintenance worksites statewide. This position will serve as a subject matter expert on industrial hygiene regulations, policies, and best practices, support compliance with applicable state and federal health and safety requirements, and manage assigned sections of the WSDOT Safety Manual to ensure program effectiveness and continuous improvement. In support of WSDOT’s mission and strategic goals, this role will promote safe and healthy workplaces while fostering workforce equity, inclusion, employee well’being, and organizational health. The successful candidate will possess strong technical expertise in industrial hygiene, sound judgment, and the capacity to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders. What to Expect Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the OSHSPEC3 will: Assist in the development and implementation of an effective occupational health program with the goal of eliminating or minimizing occupational illness risks for WSDOT employees. Assist in developing and implementing an exposure evaluation program to identify and control health hazards and maintain compliance with occupational health regulatory requirements. Conduct research on ways to address new occupational health hazards and ensure minimal risk exposures. Provide exposure evaluation for occupational health hazards to effectively identify where exposure may exceed acceptable risk. Provide professionally written reports to notify represented employees and managers of findings, conclusions, and any control recommendations. Conduct compliance assessment and testing in high-risk or unusual hazardous environments, evaluate risk or exposure levels, assess risk in relation to occupational health and safety standards. Coordinate required occupational health medical evaluations, which may include silica, lead, hexavalent chromium, respiratory protection, audiology, and homeless encampment excursions. Assist regional Safety with respirator fit testing. Provide training to staff to recognize and control health hazards to which they may be exposed as part of their duties. Qualifications To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required: Regulatory Knowledge & Application: Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA/WSHA, RCW, WAC, and related compliance regulations with the ability to interpret and apply them to workplace IH programs, inspections, and the development of corrective actions. Safety Program Development & Management: Extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive safety programs, including policy development, recordkeeping, compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and/or safety committee operations. Inspection & Hazard Identification: Advanced skills in conducting work-zone, construction, and facility inspections, identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and recommending corrective actions that ensure employee and public safety. Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis: Proven ability to apply accident investigation techniques, conduct root cause analysis, and prepare reports that identify trends and recommend preventive strategies. Training & Education: Experience in developing and delivering safety training using adult learning principles, adapting materials to diverse audiences and ensuring knowledge retention. Collaboration & Interpersonal Skills: Proven skills maintaining effective working relationships with officials, employees, and the public; working effectively with stakeholders inside and outside the agency; and demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills. Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Applied expertise in analyzing safety and health data, statistics, identifying trends, and recommending program improvements that enhance safety culture and organizational performance. Proven experience with Microsoft Office Products. Decision-Making & Authority: Demonstrated experience in exercising independent judgment, including stop work authority to address unsafe conditions, while maintaining confidentiality and balancing operational needs. Growth Mindset & Service‑Oriented: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. Takes action to meet the needs of others. The following qualifications are also required: A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles. It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate/have: Advanced IH Expertise: Experience applying professional industrial hygiene standards, guidance, and best practices to support workplace health and safety programs, hazard mitigation, and employee protection typically obtained through extensive experience working as an IH and/or formal education. IH Program Application: Demonstrated ability to identify, evaluate, and recommend controls for occupational health hazards through industrial hygiene monitoring, risk assessment, data interpretation, and regulatory compliance activities. IH Certification(s): Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a recognized professional industrial hygiene certification such as Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), Board Certified Environmental Engineer – Industrial Hygiene (BCEE), or equivalent credential. Safety Professional Certification(s): Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, an Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or equivalent occupational safety certification. Important Notes This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options. Regular travel around the state but mostly in the western WSDOT regions will be required to complete essential job functions. In addition to the salary range listed, a general wage increase of 2% will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2026. This position may be eligible for an additional 5% premium for residents of King County. This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs. In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit Why WSDOT Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensuring that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle. As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including telework options for eligible positions. Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year! Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness. Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. How to Apply Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date. An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role. Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity. Equal Opportunity & Accessibility Statement WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter. Contact Us For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at View email address on click.appcast.io. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-04779 in the subject line. #J-18808-Ljbffr