Central Safety Ergonomist (Project/Program Manager III)

The Central Employee Services Division (CESD) within King County's Department of Human Resources (DHR)seeks a dynamic, knowledgeable, and customer service focused Ergonomist (Project/Program Manager III) to join the Safety unit where the number one priority is ensuring the health and safety of King County employees. 

Our team of safety professionals work with departments, divisions, and leaders to provide a safe environment to all King County citizens, whether employees or members of the public doing business with King County. Our team promotes safe workplace practices, ensures safety is effectively addressed in King County contracts, conducts hazard assessments, and partners with County colleagues to develop and implement safety programs.

We are seeking a candidate with the knowledge, skills, and professional experience to develop and implement ergonomic assessment programs across office and industrial work environments. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong commitment to customer service, the ability to work effectively within an established team, and skill in building productive relationships with business partners. This role requires a proven record of supporting employee safety and well-being, mitigating risk, and ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. 

Who We Are
The Department of Human Resources’ mission is to provide strategic human resources leadership, modernized systems, customer-focused services, and tools designed to support the management, growth, and development of the King County workforce. The Central Employee Services Division is a division within DHR that provides integrated services in the areas of Safety and Claims (Workers’ Compensation), Disability and Leaves, Balanced You (Well-being) and Employee Giving, Employee Assistance Program, Benefits Strategy, as well as Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Operations. As a self-insured entity in Washington State, the County self-administers its Workers’ Compensation program.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles (ESJ) that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As an Ergonomist, you will:    

• Develop and implement ergonomic assessment programs for variable work environments across office and industrial work environments; deliver specific training to employees.
• Partner with the Disability Services Team and County departments to provide ergonomic recommendations, education, and accommodation support for the County workforce.
• Collect data through direct observation of work activities or computer workstations.
• Inspect work sites to identify physical ergonomic hazards.
• Recommend workplace changes to improve health and safety, using knowledge of potentially harmful factors, such as heavy loads or repetitive motions.
• Provide technical support to clients through activities, such as rearranging workplace fixtures to reduce physical hazards or discomfort or modifying task sequences to reduce cycle time.
• Train users in task techniques and office ergonomic principles.
• Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, managers, or customers.
• Perform functional, task, or anthropometric analysis, using tools, such as checklists, surveys, videotaping, or force measurement.
• Assess the user-interface or usability characteristics of computer workstations and industrial environments.
• Review health, safety, accident, or worker compensation records to evaluate safety program effectiveness or to identify jobs with high incidence of injury.
• Other duties as assigned. 

 Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree, in ergonomics, occupational safety, environmental health, industrial hygiene, engineering, public health or related field OR any combination of experience and education which provides the skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the key roles and responsibilities of the position.
• Experience as an ergonomics professional with experience in occupational/industrial safety. 
• A proven history of providing services that ensure employee safety and well-being, mitigation of loss and risk to County resources, and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes and regulations.
• Meticulous organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize workloads within tight timelines, navigate shifting priorities, and manage ambiguous information effectively.
• Experience with database management and creating reports; coordinating, monitoring, and tracking analytical and statistical information.
• Proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and/or other instructional platforms to facilitate onsite and virtual instructor-led trainings.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and OneNote).
• Clear and effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to deliver outstanding customer service to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work with diverse groups, develop and maintain relationships with coworkers and work effectively as a team member.
• Ability to demonstrate a track record of exceptional customer service, the ability to function within an established team, and the ability to develop productive relationships with business partners. 

Desired Qualifications:
Certifications from the Board of Certifications in Professional Ergonomics:

• Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE®) 
• Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP®)
• Certified User Experience Professional (CUXP®)
• Associate Ergonomics Professional (AEP®) with 3+ years of experience performing ergonomic assessments.
• Associate Human Factors Professional (AHFP®) with 3+ years of experience performing ergonomic assessments.
• Associate User Experience Professional (AUXP®) with 3+ years of experience performing ergonomic assessments.

Work Conditions and/or Environment

This position will be required to travel to multiple County facilities and to safety and health emergencies throughout King County. Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license to operate a Non-Revenue County Vehicle.  

Work Schedule
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not overtime-eligible. Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule, every other Thursday, comprising a 40-hour workweek, normally 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117 Professional and Technical and is classified as a Project/Program Manager III; classification code: 2441300.
 
Teleworking Requirement
This position works a hybrid schedule of remote and onsite work, requiring work in the office at least three days a week. Hybrid work schedules are subject to change based upon operational necessity. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. 

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to King County employees and the general public to fill one career service position.

Selection Process
Forms and Materials Required

• An online employment application including supplemental questions completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs. The employment history should go back at least 7 years if you have 7 years of employment, or more to include all relevant experience. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. All relevant experience must be included in the application.
• A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing how you meet the required experience, qualifications, knowledge, and job skills listed above. In addition, please share why you are interested in this position. This is a required application material. If a cover letter is not received, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.

Applicants will be screened for competitiveness, completeness, and written communication skills. Initial screening will be based on a review of application materials. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in a series of one or more interviews.  

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact Jen Montoya, Senior HR Analyst at [email protected].