County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to develop and implement programs and activities designed to improve the health and safety of County employees and/or the general public and/or the environment; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Industrial Hygiene Engineer works closely with other technical personnel to anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control potential hazards to humans (County employees and/or the general public) and/or the environment. Such hazards may be chemical, physical, and/or biological. The Industrial Hygiene Engineer is responsible for the overall management of a County-wide Industrial Hygiene Program. The Industrial Hygiene Engineer is responsible for department-specific health and safety issues and/or supervise other personnel that address such issues.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Performs industrial hygiene, safety, environmental and engineering work in connection with health hazards in industrial environments and processes.

2. Surveys and inspects occupational and nonoccupational environments and reports findings.

3. Identifies training needs and designs and implements effective training programs.

4. Collects information and makes recommendations concerning the implementation of engineering controls.

5. Investigates possible exposure or illnesses identified through worker’s compensation claims.

6. Investigates procurement, production, use, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials which endanger or may endanger public health, and recommends remedial measures.

7. Cooperates with other health and safety professionals to reduce hazards, remove undesirable conditions and improve industrial methods or waste disposal procedures.

8. Investigates complaints of unhealthy conditions and makes recommendations to reduce exposures to hazards or potential hazards causing such conditions.

9. Performs studies in areas such as industrial hygiene, hazardous materials, water quality, air quality and community noise.

10. Reviews literature published in health safety and environmental fields to keep abreast of changes and collects statistics on the health safety of humans and the environment.

11. Interprets laws, regulations and data.

12. Designs and carries out engineering research projects, or participates in such projects planned jointly by health departments in municipalities, states and the Federal government.

13. Assists in drafting, interpreting, and enforcing regulations, laws, and/or ordinances promulgated or enacted to protect the health and safety of humans.

14. Selects, procures, operates, and maintains instrumentation and equipment needed to evaluate chemical, physical, and/or biological hazards.

15. Collects physical and/or biological samples and measures the effects of hazards or potential hazards to humans and the environment.

16. Monitors hazardous or potentially hazardous operations to ensure that health and safety risks are minimized.

17. Interprets scientific data and/or measurements of hazards or potential hazards with respect to standards published in regulations, professional guidelines, and his/her professional judgment.

18. Reports accurate and unbiased information to management, employees, and the general public. Uses knowledge, skills, and data from field measurements and studies to make recommendations to reduce human risks of exposure to hazards as a first priority.

19. Observes and complies with all aspects of the Code of Ethics jointly published by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the American Board of Industrial Hygienists (ABIH), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and the American Academy of Industrial Hygienists (AAIH).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a bachelor's degree in physical sciences such as Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Physics or a curriculum recognized by the American Board of Industrial Hygienists (ABIH) as being qualified toward certification of Comprehensive Practice of Industrial Hygiene,

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time, increasingly responsible professional or technical experience in industrial hygiene including identification, evaluation, and control of health hazards in industry and the community. Possession of a master's degree in public health or other physical sciences may be substituted for one year of work experience,

AND

Certificate:

Certification in comprehensive practice or associated specialties as an Industrial Hygienist or Industrial Hygienist in Training by the American Board of Industrial Hygienists (ABIH) or possession of a valid certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of industrial hygiene, public health engineering and environmental health.
• Industrial waste disposal systems.
• Atmospheric pollution and environmental sanitation in industry and the community.
• Industrial hygiene equipment and test instruments.
• Risk assessment, public health principles, practices, rules and regulations, and administrative procedures.

Ability to:

• Review, check and interpret designs and plans of projects to mitigate hazards and specifications.
• Interpret laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to industrial hygiene, hazardous materials and environmental health.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work.
• Speak and write about technical issues effectively to technical and nontechnical audiences.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Old document: DW:lm h-12/82
DF:lm-Revised: 5/96
msw:0311h.doc
New document: Jobspecs/2080
ys/1/01

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.