What are the responsibilities and job description for the Occupational Safety & Health Specialist 2 position at State of Washington Dept. of Agriculture?
Description
AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy
Apply early! First review of applications is scheduled for September 29th! To be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 28th, 2026.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Opportunity
Within the Administrative Services division of WSDA, Enterprise Risk Management Services programs, and under the general supervision and direction of the Safety Program Assistant Manager, this position coordinates and develops several major statewide components of WSDA Agriculture's comprehensive emergency preparedness program, which includes employee security, safety and health. Complies with federal and state laws, the Department of Labor and Industries Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Washington State Industrial Safety Act (WISHA) rules, regulations and codes including emergency preparedness, evacuation plans, policies, hazard mitigation, respirator fit-testing, response and recovery. Coordinates and facilitates program components, projects, and/or functions with other state and federal agencies, and when necessary local jurisdictions, tribal governments, the private sector, and/or other states. Manages, administers, coordinates, and guarantees statewide emergency preparedness is provided throughout the seven divisions and directors office within 39 counties.
This position ensures the department complies with all applicable emergencies, environmental, safety and health regulations and codes; including developing and implementing emergency preparedness in response to emerging disasters and new regulations.
Important Notes
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Occupational Safety and Health Specialist 2 position within the Enterprise Risk Management Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington. This is a non-represented position.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: Range 58 $67,704 Step A - $88,788 Step L annually.
Duties
What to Expect
Some of the various responsibilities within this role:
Oversees, administers, develops, and coordinates components of the department-wide emergency preparedness program.
- Oversee, implement, and sustain an internal emergency preparedness program by preparing for and mitigating, responding to and recovering from disasters through direction, consultation, and technical expertise for the agency.
- Develop and administer critical emergency preparedness functions by reviewing the department's policies and the divisions/program emergency procedures.
- Oversee and sustain a functional Emergency preparedness program.
- Coordinate and direct the agency ID card program.
- Provide quality emergency preparedness updates.
- Implement active communication; provide educational materials.
- Ensure a safe workplace exists; and conduct site visits throughout various workplace environments.
- Provide expert advice for personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Maintain department-wide emergency preparedness plans, evacuations, standard operating procedures and manuals.
- Anticipate, plan, coordinate, and send out inclement weather and natural disaster notifications to the leadership team and the
department, as needed. - Research state and federal rules and regulations.
- Provide technical assistance, and direction in support of state and local emergency management/preparedness programs.
- Oversee and coordinate the Washington State Department of Agriculture Emergency Operations Center (EOC), when requested by the department.
- Serve on campus committees and task teams.
- Attend and represent the department with external committees, boards, and other federal and State agencies on matters pertaining to emergency management or preparedness operations/events.
- Advise and work with other state agency emergency management/preparedness professionals to continuously develop plans and prepare for any emergency.
- Drive agency vehicle throughout the state to perform emergency preparedness operations.
- Oversee, facilitate, ensure all employees requiring fit-testing certification and recertification's are conducted to ensure compliance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296-842-11005, federal/local laws and regulations, department policy and procedures, and 3M licensed health care provider.
- Coordinate core program requirements: administration, policy, written program, medical evaluations, employee training, recordkeeping.
- Oversee and execute fit-testing specifics: initial and subsequent testing; method Operations; prerequisites, and re-testing.
- Schedule, coordinate, and execute statewide First Aid/CPR/AED and Wilderness Remote First Aid trainings through the following practices: oversee administration and policy (program scope, procedure, and SOP); provide training, content, and delivery (emergency response principles, CPR, First Aid, AED instruction, and hands-on practice); maintain equipment and supplies (first aid kits, AED deployment and sustainment, PPE, and necessary training equipment); provide maintenance and evaluation (skills testing, recertification schedule, program review, data tracking, and transparent reporting.
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate emergency preparedness training and educational activities.
- Coordinate, sustain, and train all Washington State Department of Agriculture's evacuation plans, routes, and teams [red hats]. while maintaining plans and overseeing communication (radios).
- Coordinate and oversee the department's participation in Everbridge WA State Alerts and other emergency notification systems such as: 800MHZ and Motorola radios; department satellite phones; and WSDA EOC employee emergency notification system.
- Perform operational tests and maintain various telephonies, radio frequency, and internet-based communication and information technology systems.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
- Must hold and maintain a valid WA State driver’s license.
AND
- A bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied field.
AND
- Three years of professional experience in occupational safety and health programs.
OR
- A master's degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, education or allied field may be substituted for two of the three years of the above professional work experience requirement.
OR
- Equivalent education/experience.
- Two (2) years' experience overseeing a workplace respirator program
- First Aid/CPR/AED Certified Instructor
Supplemental Information
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
How to apply
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
- A resume detailing experience and education
- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
- Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
WSDA uses a I-9 form(Download PDF reader) to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
Equity at WSDA
The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.
We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
Benefits:
Health Insurance, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Retirement PlanSalary : $67,704 - $91,104