Industrial Hygienist -Underfill

Job Summary

The Department of Business & Industry is recruiting to underfill multiple Industrial Hygienist 3 positions within the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NVOSHA) Enforcement Section of the Division of Industrial Relations. Based temporarily in the Carson City OSHA office (with plans to move to the Reno location), the incumbents report to the Industrial Hygiene Supervisor and will receive training in performing safety and health inspections at workplaces throughout Northern Nevada.

Once trained, the incumbents will promote safety and health practices, perform inspections independently, and enforce State and Federal safety laws and regulations (e.g., NRS 618, NAC 618, 29 CFR 1910, 29 CFR 1926). They will be trained to identify safety and health hazards and violations and recommend reasonable and feasible means of abatement; research specific technology and industry applications using technical references and applicable codes and standards;

quantify employees' exposure to contaminants and physical hazards by selecting appropriate sampling methodologies, using properly calibrated and maintained equipment, and preparing samples for laboratory analysis; compare exposure levels to established threshold values; prepare written reports; and investigate industrial accidents resulting in serious injuries, illnesses, or fatalities as well as investigate complaints. Incumbents will be required to use a State vehicle to conduct State business.

They may also be required to work shifts outside of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm including nights, weekends, and holidays. Persons interested in this position should have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; possess exceptional organizational and analytical skills; and provide quality, professional customer service.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, chemistry, physics, biology, toxicology, environmental engineering, or closely related field; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of professional experience with the principal duty of safety officer in an industrial or construction setting which included conducting inspections or investigations for the purpose of evaluating workplace health and safety;

OR an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Conduct surveys, inspections, and/or investigations of worksites to evaluate work practices, engineering and administrative controls in relation to health hazards. (Depending on the unit to which an Industrial Hygienist is assigned, these reviews may include safety as well as health factors).

Evaluate workplace environment for presence of biological, ergonomic, physical energy, and chemical hazards. Evaluate employer compliance with federal and State health and safety laws and regulations. Quantify employees' exposure to contaminants and physical hazards by selecting appropriate sampling methodology, using properly calibrated and maintained equipment, and preparing samples for laboratory analysis; compare exposure levels to established threshold values.

Determine need for hazard control measures; evaluate economic and technical feasibility; recommend abatements for hazards and violations of health or safety regulations; and suggest enhancements to optimize workplace environmental conditions.

Research businesses, industries, work processes, operations, and published codes and standards relevant to workplaces to be surveyed or inspected. Anticipate typical hazards and recognized control and abatement procedures for similar operations. Ensure that appropriate technical and personal protective equipment is available as needed.

Conduct opening and closing conferences with employers to explain purpose of the survey or inspection, and to discuss findings. Industrial Hygienists in the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NVOSHA) classify hazards according to regulatory guidelines, set time periods for abatement, and take necessary steps to ensure that employees are removed from observed situations of imminent danger. Industrial Hygienists also issue notices of violation and recommend citations.

Perform literature searches on specific diseases, toxins, environmental exposures, or infectious agents for use in determining causal factors, informing client employers, and/or defending findings against medical or legal challenge.

When investigating an employee complaint, workers' compensation claim, or workplace accident, determine cause and contributing factors of reported illnesses, injuries, or fatalities. Evaluate environmental contaminants, physical agents, engineering failures, and human error factors. Interview witnesses and others with relevant information; review medical records.

Document findings from inspections, surveys, and investigations in comprehensive reports and case files for use by company management, and/or State enforcement, claims…