DSHS WSH Safety Officer Assistant

DSHS WSH Safety Officer Assistant

Join our team at Western State Hospital (WSH) as a Safety Officer Assistant and play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and health of one of Washington's largest psychiatric hospitals. Located in Lakewood, WA, WSH is home to the Civil Center of Excellence, where you will work alongside a dedicated safety team to ensure compliance with important safety standards. In this role, you’ll support various safety initiatives, including fire drills, accident investigations, and safety trainings, while helping the hospital meet regulatory requirements from OSHA, WISHA, CMS, and The Joint Commission.

Your work will directly impact the safety of both staff and patients in a challenging yet rewarding environment. By ensuring that safety protocols are met and supporting the well-being of all, you will be a key player in making WSH a safer place for everyone. If you're passionate about public health, safety, and working in an environment where your efforts truly make a difference, this is the role for you!

Join us today—apply your skills and help us partner with people to provide support, care, and resources, empowering individuals to shape their own lives. 

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide administrative support for occupational safety & health programs, and initiatives by preparing documents, reports, and tracking safety concerns.
• Review and follow up on work-related accidents or near-misses, and help identify ways to improve workplace safety.
• Monitor safety email inboxes, mail, and follow-up on concerns.
• Conduct fire and evacuation drills across three shifts, environmental safety rounds on wards, and ensure safety standards are met in all areas of the hospital.
• Deliver safety-related training for new employees and ongoing staff education, and help manage safety committee meetings and action plans.
• Help manage ergonomic requests, coordinate assessments, and order equipment to support staff well-being.
• Maintain safety records, including fire safety documentation and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and submit work requests for safety-related issues.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with a Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, safety studies, natural science, business or public administration, health sciences, or a related field, AND one year of professional experience in occupational safety or workplace safety programs.
  OR
• Equivalent education and experience (experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis).
• A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) license can substitute for the educational requirements.

What we're looking for:

• Understanding of safety and health practices, including accident investigation, safety training, self-inspections, record-keeping, and running safety committees.
• Ability to handle challenging situations in a psychiatric hospital setting, including exposure to risks such as abusive, harassing, or threatening language, and aggressive behavior from patients.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficiency in computer programs like Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and remote meeting platforms like Zoom and MS Teams.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Joint Commission standards for hospitals, as well as WISHA/OSHA regulations.

• Opportunities performed on-site at this location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay on top of the advertised salary.
• Pierce County employees receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Interested?  

Along with your application, please submit:

• A resume
• Three professional references

Questions? 

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 00433.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs, or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.  

 
 
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Salary : $3,811 - $5,117