Job Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!

Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

• In addition to the base salary above**

Ergonomists will be compensated with basic salary plus 10% for each hour they are required to use personal protective equipment (excluding hard hats, boots, hearing and eye protection) to enter a hazardous worksite to consult, inspect or investigate where serious hazards are present.

ALSO

King County Premium Pay- If assigned to a permanent duty station in King County, employees will receive 5% Premium Pay calculated from their base salary.

AND IF BILINGUAL

If hired as bilingual (not required), after passing an assessment of your ability to write and speak fluently. We do not use translating software. Employees with bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% increase in pay.

AND

All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for this position will be provided by L&I DOSH as specified in WAC 296-800-16020 .

Do work that prevents injuries before they happen.

At L&I , ergonomics is hands-on, data-driven, and directly tied to keeping Washington’s workforce safe. As an Ergonomist 3 , you’ll work statewide with employers across industries, applying technical expertise and analytical tools to identify risk factors and implement real solutions that reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).

Working within L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Consultation offers a unique opportunity to focus on prevention through partnership rather than enforcement. DOSH is a state plan of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

In this role, you will help employers proactively address risks before injuries occur, contributing to safer workplaces across Washington State. The work is both technically rigorous and highly practical, requiring you to apply your expertise in real-world settings where your analysis directly informs action. Your contributions will extend beyond individual consultations, influencing worker safety resulting in measurable, meaningful impact.

We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. This position can be offered with a flexible schedule (4/10’s, 9/80’s, 5/8’s etc.) once fully trained and approved by management.

For this position, teleworking is permitted on occasion dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. The assigned duty station can be assigned to any of our locations along the I-5 corridor .

Learn more about DOSH here: 50 Years of DOSH

Duties

What You’ll Be Doing

This is a highly applied role blending fieldwork, technical analysis, and consultation:

• Partner with Safety & Health Consultants and Risk Managers on onsite evaluations of industrial and field-based work environments
• Conduct in-depth ergonomic assessments using objective analysis tools (force measurement, task analysis, posture evaluation, etc.)
• Review injury data and trends to identify patterns and root causes of WMSDs
• Observe work in real time capturing video, photos, and measurements to assess risk factors
• Translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations employers can realistically implement
• Develop detailed consultation reports outlining hazards and feasible solutions
• Provide direct consultation services to employers, evaluating jobs or entire worksites
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify industry-wide risks and prevention strategies
• Contribute to training, workshops, and educational materials that influence broader safety practices
• And much more!

You will rely on direct observation, objective data, and specialized tools to assess risk and inform your decisions. The recommendations are designed to be implemented in active workplaces, allowing you to see the tangible impact of your work. In addition to supporting individual employers, your contributions will help shape broader industry practices and advance ergonomic solutions across Washington State.

Driving is required as part of this job. When a position has a driving requirement, the incumbent must drive in order to perform the duties of their position. In fact, driving is a duty mentioned in their position description, such as an L&I inspector who drives throughout the workday to get from one location to another. Therefore, they must use a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personally owned vehicle (POV) in order to perform the duties and responsibilities of their position. Use of a POV will be reimbursed with the current mileage reimbursement rate.

You’ll work in a mix of settings; sometimes in an L&I office, sometimes from home, and sometimes while traveling (like from a hotel). This role includes regular travel to visit worksites and attend meetings from Bellingham, WA down to Vancouver, WA, so you’ll be driving as part of the job. When you’re onsite, you’ll be in active work environments, which can include noise, machinery, forklift traffic, and typical hazards like slips, trips, and uneven surfaces.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who can move beyond theory and confidently apply ergonomics in complex, dynamic environments.

Highly Desired

• Experience in industrial ergonomics (manufacturing, construction, warehousing, healthcare, or similar)
• Strong technical expertise in ergonomic assessment and risk evaluation
• Hands-on experience with analysis tools and applications used to assess job demands and risk factors
• Ability to analyze data and translate it into practical, feasible recommendations
• Experience working on projects involving ergonomic evaluation, intervention, and follow-through
• Comfort working in active worksites with exposure to equipment, noise, and operational hazards

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• Master's Degree in Ergonomics or related field

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least two years of related work experience.

AND

• A valid and unrestricted driver's license
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Basic knowledge and experience in the comprehensive practice of ergonomics.
• Knowledge and ability to evaluate ergonomics programs.
• Ability to identify hazards for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and recommend solutions.
• With assistance from experienced ergonomists, able to organize projects involving stakeholders from employer and employee groups, healthcare, and other L&I staff.

Other skills ideal to possess in this position we are looking for:

• Judgment and Problem Solving - Makes timely decisions based on the best information available. Can identify and describe the factors that were considered in making a decision based on limited information. Solves problems effectively.
• Analysis - Use data and information to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form conclusions, and make a plan of action!
• Research and Gather Information - Effectively teaches staff to identify, collect, organize and document data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessments, analysis, abatement and investigation.
• Risk Management /Classification - Basic knowledge of principles and techniques of risk management and risk classification.
• Verbal and Written Communication - Expresses ideas and information through the verbal and written word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience; speaks English clearly.
• Using PC programs - Competent in the use of personal computers, including software such as word processing, PowerPoint, Excel and other programs, to produce timely and accurate work products that fully satisfy the demands of the assignment.
• Positive and Responsive Customer Service.
• Knowledge of Fundamentals of Ergonomics - and how to apply those to the workplace in relation to hazards and solving those hazards.

See all of our current L&I DOSH position openings here: Current L&I DOSH open positions

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please Include The Following Documents With Your Application

• A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
• A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
• A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other Information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented bythe­Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s ***email_hidden*** .

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest source of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the recruiter, Lori Hensin (she/her/hers) at lori.hensin@lni.wa.gov .

Job Tags

Similar Jobs