Positions in this job family are involved in professional level work involving the performance of comprehensive industrial, workplace or job site inspections to identify actual and potential health hazards and other dangers.This includes consulting with employers regarding statutory regulations, effective safety programs, practices and hazards remediation.These inspections are focused toward the provision of environmental/industrial health protection and are performed in either public or private sector workplaces.
TYPICAL FUNCTIONS
The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
Tours facilities; conducts inspections of job sites where hazardous materials such as asbestos are being removed; explains inspection procedures to site managers; establishes and maintains understanding and rapport with inspection site personnel; projects potential workforce injuries and/or illnesses; performs respective computations; prepares consultation reports.
Develops and administers U.S. Department of Labor approved respiratory protection programs for workers involved in asbestos abatement; trains and tests employees in the use of safety equipment.
Conducts comprehensive examinations of workplace premises; records any health or other hazards noticed; observes normal work routine and activity to detect any hazards in their performance.
Conducts workplace environment analyses with the use of calibrated equipment; collects data by recognized sampling techniques; prepares and sends filter samples for laboratory analysis.
Reviews laboratory results; summarizes the details of each consultation and inspection; prepares narrative reports; researches related federal regulations and other applicable codes.
Investigates complaints made against employers; investigates workplace fatalities and other accidents.
Maintains public visibility by continually conducting visits to industries and business; attends pertinent training courses, seminars and workshops as required; makes related public presentations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Level I: Knowledge of occupational health and safety standards; of federal and state laws, regulations and policies governing agency operations; of health consultation methods; of occupational health monitoring techniques and equipment; of organic and inorganic chemistry, industrial hygiene chemistry, physics, mathematics and biological sciences; and of public relations. Ability is required to review and analyze technical information; to interpret scientific data; to apply scientific principles to the evaluation of potential health hazards; to read and comprehend policies and procedures manuals, rules and regulations; to follow oral and written directions; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Level II: Those identified in Level I plus the ability to work independently.
Level III: Those identified in Level II plus the ability to administer a large health program.
Level IV: Those identified in Level III plus knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision and training methods and techniques as related to OSHA procedures; and of safety and/or health consultation methods. Ability is required to write reports; and to supervise and direct the work of others.
LEVEL DESCRIPTORS
The Industrial Hygienist Job Family consists of four levels which are distinguished by the complexity of assignments, the level of expertise required to perform the assigned tasks, and the responsibility assigned for providing leadership to others.
Level I: This is the basic level of the job family where employees are primarily responsible for performing routine entry level work in a training status to build their skills in performing workplace or job site inspections related to occupational safety and health for public or private sector employers according to the unit to which the position is assigned. In this role they will perform tasks focused toward the identification of physical, chemical and biological hazards which would impair workers’ health.
Level II: This is the career level of the job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities at the full-performance level and perform a variety of tasks involving the inspection of industrial sites and/or workplaces to identify actual health hazards and other dangers and consulting with employers regarding federal regulations, hazards remediation and effective safety programs and practices. Inspections are focused toward the provision of environmental/industrial health inspections. Tasks are performed independently according to prescribed methods and procedures and are concerned with the identification of physical, chemical and biological hazards which would impair workers’ health. At this level, limited guidance and training may be provided to entry level employees performing hygiene inspection duties.
Level III: This is the specialist level where employees are assigned responsibilities for directing, coordinating or evaluating an occupational health program, which is large in size and scope. This may include programs in large agencies, programs involving statewide functions or positions or other similar programs. It may also involve direction or oversight of facility or institutional programs, risk management analysis, analytical testing, and planning similar activities.
Level IV: This is the leadership level where employees are assigned responsibility for planning, assigning and supervising the work activities of an environmental/industrial hygiene unit on a regular and consistent basis. This includes providing guidance, direction and technical training to other Industrial Hygienists in the operation of sophisticated detection equipment and in the identification of actual and potential hazards and dangers as well as performing related administrative functions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level I: Education and experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental or chemical engineering, industrial hygiene or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Work experience must be related to industrial hygiene or occupational safety in a professional capacity.
Level II: Education and experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I and two years of experience in work place environmental/industrial inspections or consultations; or a master’s degree in industrial hygiene; or completion of the following OSHA Institute courses for the required two years of experience: Initial Compliance Course for Consultation Programs (#100a) and Introduction to Health Standards for Industrial Hygienists (#125). Verification of completion of OSHA Institute courses must be submitted with application.
Level III: Education and experience requirements at this level include those identified in level II plus two additional years of qualifying experience. Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification may be substituted for the two years of experience.
Level IV: Education and experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus two additional years of qualifying experience in workplace environmental/industrial inspections or consultations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Requires possession of a valid Oklahoma Driver’s license in order to operate state owned vehicles.
Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position; be willing to work hours other than on regular shifts during emergency or high volume situations.
While performing the duties of this job, the employees are frequently required to stand, walk and reach; and talk and hear. Routinely, employees are required to sit; to manipulate or feel objects, tools or controls; climb (for extended distances) and/or balance; ascend/descend ladders and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Job performance may result in minimal noise exposure, the minimal possibility of chemical exposure and exposure to work environments where chemicals are present.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision with the ability to see defects during an inspection, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to differentiate between colors.
Position requires the employee to be able to wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment related to inspection type, work outdoors, to deal with all weather extremes, carry tool bags containing tools, handle all tools required to facilitate inspection and, for some specific jobs, be able to carry 25 pounds up to 400 feet and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
CLASS: J15A; EST: 8/21/2007; REV: 4/22/2015;
CLASS: J15B; EST: 8/21/2007; REV: 7/2/2012 7:45:00 AM;
CLASS: J15C; EST: 8/21/2007; REV: 7/2/2012 7:45:00 AM;
CLASS: J15D; EST: 8/21/2007; REV: 7/2/2012 7:45:00 AM;
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