Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | RESEARCH SCIENTIST II (PHYSICAL/ENGINEERING SCIENCES)

The Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS) is a statewide program to identify, evaluate, and provide “early warning” and up-to-date, practical information on toxic chemicals and other workplace hazards. This information and the toxicological, technical, and medical expertise that HESIS provides enable employers, workers, health and safety professionals, and others to take action to make workplaces safer.

HESIS is located in the Occupational Health Branch (OHB) of the California Department of Public Health. OHB devoted to improving worker health and safety through prevention activities. OHB works to prevent injuries and illnesses on the job before they happen. A multidisciplinary team including physicians, industrial hygienists, epidemiologists, and health communication specialists collaborates to identify and evaluate workplace hazards, track patterns of work-related injury and illness, develop training and informational materials, provide technical assistance to others to prevent work-related injury and illness, work with partners to develop safer ways to work, and recommend protective occupational health standards.

Under the general direction of the HESIS Chief, this position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by providing statewide expertise regarding the identification and control of workplace hazards and the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses.

With support from the Research Scientist Supervisor II (Supervisor), Public Health Medical Officer III, Staff Toxicologist (Specialist), and Research Scientist III (Physical/Engineering Sciences), the Research Scientist II (Physical/Engineering Sciences) (RS II) provides input into decisions regarding scientific studies, procedures, methods to be utilized, and activities to be implemented.

The RS II provides expertise on industrial hygiene, providing knowledge of hazard recognition, assessment, and control strategies including engineering controls, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and substitution of safer alternative chemicals and work practices. With general supervision, the incumbent will:

• design, carry out, and provide industrial hygiene expertise for HESIS and OHB public health investigations and research projects of moderate scientific scope and complexity
• serve as a team member on more complex projects
• research, review, and analyze the scientific literature pertaining to physical, chemical, and biological hazards in the workplace.
• collaborate with health education staff to develop educational materials, including hazard alerts and fact sheets on hazards that pose acute and chronic health risks to California workers.
• participate in the HESIS Workplace Hazard Helpline and provides technical assistance for employees, employers, health care providers, health and safety personnel, advisory groups, and other stakeholders.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST II (PHYSICAL/ENGINEERING SCIENCES)
• RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (PHYSICAL/ENGINEERING SCIENCES)

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Commitment to advancing the health of workers
• Knowledge of industrial hygiene principles, sampling design and applied relevant experience in occupational health or environmental health.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team, while performing a wide array of complex work independently
• Ability to develop and manage professional relationships.
• Ability to prioritize and meet multiple competing deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• A professional, courteous, and positive demeanor
• Experience disseminating and interpretating data findings for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience effectively interacting and achieving results with internal and external partners
• Ability to use office systems and computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams
• Industrial hygiene field experience a plus

About California Department of Public Health

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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