What are the responsibilities and job description for the L&I DOSH Crane Safety Compliance Investigator (CISHI3) position at State of Washington?
Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability
*We are hiring for multiple positions in this recruitment with a desired start date of mid to late July, 2026*
The assigned duty stations available can beone of the following locations: Bellevue, Seattle, Tukwila, Everett, Tacoma, or Silverdale, WA.
Because this is a specialized position, it has been our practice to hire in at least the mid-high range of the salary range for this job class.
**In addition to the base salary above**
A 2% cost of living pay increase will occur on July 1, 2026
ALSO
Industrial Hygienists and Safety & Health Investigators 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.
PLUS
King County Premium Pay - If assigned to a permanent duty station in King County, employees will receive 5% Premium Pay calculated from their base salary.
AND
All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for this position will be provided by L&I DOSH as specified in WAC 296-800-16020.
Help Keep Washington Safe - From the Ground Up
Are you an experienced crane professional ready to take your expertise beyond the jobsite and make a statewide impact?
The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is seeking a Compliance Safety & Health Investigator 3 (CISHI 3) – Crane Safety to help protect workers across Washington through high-level safety inspections, accident investigations, and regulatory enforcement.
In this dynamic and highly specialized role, you’ll work at the forefront of workplace safety investigating serious incidents, inspecting complex crane operations, and helping ensure employers comply with Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) standards. From major construction projects to manufacturing facilities, your crane knowledge and field experience will directly contribute to preventing injuries and saving lives.
This is more than an inspection role. You’ll serve as a trusted technical expert, conducting complex investigations, collaborating with engineers and legal teams, mentoring newer investigators, and helping shape safer workplaces throughout the crane industry in Washington state. Every day brings new challenges, new environments, and meaningful work that supports L&I’s mission to “Keep Washington Safe and Working.”
If you thrive in the field, enjoy problem-solving, and want to use your crane expertise in a career with purpose, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on worker safety across Washington.
L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) administers the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) law Chapter 49.17 RCW by developing and enforcing rules that protect workers from hazardous job conditions. Our inspectors visit workplaces each year and cite businesses that violate health and safety rules.
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, 9/80’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.
Learn more about DOSH here: 50 Years of DOSH
Some of what you’ll do:
- Independently conduct thorough investigations of accidents resulting in hospitalizations, amputations, or loss of an eye, as well as fatalities to determine root cause and other contributing factors where cranes are present and/or involved.
- Perform safety inspections including investigations of crane accidents, to include those related to falling objects and/or rigging.
- Conduct pre-investigation research including any necessary review of electronic files and relevant references that may require hours of sitting or standing.
- Enter physical worksites unannounced to conduct compliance investigations.
- Assist CISHI-6 engineers on more complex investigations, such as catastrophic events where multiple fatalities and/or hospitalizations have occurred.
- Investigate complaints and referrals to determine if the alleged hazards exist and employees are exposed to them.
- Document findings, prepare a detailed report, and respond to the complainant per established policy.
- Investigate worksites to identify safety hazards while taking field notes, photos, videos, or other appropriate documentation methods.
- Determine employer compliance or non-compliance with WISHA Safety and Health Standards and write reports documenting employee exposure along with proposed citations and monetary penalties as appropriate.
- Determine if accredited crane certifiers within the state of Washington are complying with crane certification requirements within WAC safety standards and applicable ASME B30 series inspection requirements.
- Ensure abatement of hazards identified during inspection.
- Work with the Attorney General’s office and local prosecutors on highly complex and difficult cases.
- Testify on behalf of the Department as primary witness for all inspections conducted, and testify as witness to any other inspections participated in.
- Review and process tower crane permit documentation and applications.
- Perform evidence handling of highly complex cases.
- 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.
What we are looking for:
- A solid desire to ensure worker safety with a thorough understanding of safety and health rules and regulations and ability to identify safety related hazards in a variety of workplaces.
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills with ability to write comprehensive and concise reports detailing identified hazards.
- Willing and able to work with hostile clients or customers (both internal and external).
- Knowledge of Safety and Health Rules and Regulations, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) and the federal government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The ability to explain to customers what their businesses must do to comply with these regulations.
- Enforcing of governmental laws, rules and regulations, and initiates enforcement actions in such a way that the public perceives as fair, objective, and reasonable.
- Perform duties safely by modeling the behavior we expect to see.
REQUIRED:
- A valid and unrestricted driver license: While driving a state vehicle or personally owned vehicle (POV) for state business an employee must have a valid unrestricted driver license and may not have convictions for driving under the influence or driving offense that endangered or harmed others within the past 7 years. Individuals driving POVs for state business must receive permission in advance to use their POV, and possess and show proof of personal liability insurance.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
And any ONE of the following:
- A certified crane operator with 7 years’ experience of operating cranes.
OR
- A certified crane inspector with 7 years’ experience who is accredited from one of the following : Crane Certification Association of America, North American Crane Bureau (NACB), Cal-OSHA, National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCO), Washington State.
OR
- A qualified crane mechanic or crane technician with 7 years of experience working with and inspecting cranes.
**Additionally, all applicants selected to move forward in the interview process will also be required to complete an assessment of their technical crane knowledge.
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:
- A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
- A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
- 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 by the Washington 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’s Jobs@lni.wa.gov.
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 contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource 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 lori.hensin@lni.wa.gov.
See all of our current L&I DOSH position openings here: Current L&I DOSH open positions
Salary : $80,820 - $108,780