OSHA Safety Officer I

Job Code: 32001002
Salary Grade: NC16
Revision Date: 10/2023

Class Concept

Positions enforce compliance and/or provide education and training for the extensive Federal Code and supplemental State standards for the full range of occupational areas covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and its subsequent amendments and they can provide consultative safety and health program assistance to private employers, state, and local governments subject to the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973, and its subsequent amendments.

Positions enforcing compliance generally work in a geographic territory. Responsibilities involve documentation supporting alleged violations of standards and cooperative work with employers where possible in corrective measures. Positions evaluate employer effectiveness in implementing management control systems for protection of employee safety and health, training and safety committees as required by statute. Positions may render advice and assistance in unconventional situations involving safety hazards where severity must be weighed against operational priorities. Positions appear as State's witness in quasi-judicial and civil proceedings arising from enforcement appeals.

Positions providing education and training have the primary responsibility for developing, coordinating, and conducting safety and health training programs for internal personnel and external audiences. In addition, this position will assist the internal and external training efforts in responding to public demand for programs in the specific area of competence. Work includes direct participation or assistance in internal or external seminars, workshops, safety schools, speaker's bureaus, and any other outreach activities.

Positions providing consultative safety and health program assistance offer occupational safety services to employers, upon request, on matters related to occupational health primarily through the conduct of onsite hazard surveys, written and telephone communication and oral presentations and training. These positions must identify existing and potential occupational safety or health hazards, relate same to applicable state safety standards provide sound recommendations to eliminate or control these hazards and analyze and provide recommendations on the overall effectiveness of the employer's health and safety programs.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Intermediate knowledge of the Interpretive application of Federal and State occupational safety and health standards and regulation promulgated under the Occupations Safety and Health Act of 1970
• Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and standards to recommended engineering controls to achieve desired level of safety
• Basic knowledge of the operational procedures of the occupational areas
• Ability to apply inspection and enforcement procedures with confidence, consistency, courtesy, and tact, and to work with all levels of management
• Ability to prepare standard Occupational Safety and Health Act reports and concise, supportive narratives interpreting and explaining actions resulting from inspections
• Ability to provide consultative services on occupational safety and health to all planes of management, including collective organizations, with confidence, consistency, and tact
• Ability to maintain an overview of standards application on a state-wide basis in researching proposed variances, to develop well-founded recommendations in support or denial of such requests, and to prepare concise written documentation of field research and conclusion
• Ability to evaluate unconventional problems not covered by standards

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree preferably with a major in occupational safety, industrial management or technology, industrial engineering, industrial arts, engineering operations, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in occupational safety and health inspections; or Associate degree in industrial safety and health technology, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in occupational safety and health inspections; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.