Ergonomist (Safety and Health Professional - Certified)

Full Job Description

The Central Employee Services Division(CESD) within King County's Department of Human Resources (DHR) seeks a dynamic, knowledgeable, and customer service focused Ergonomist (Safety and Health Professional – Certified) 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.

Requirements

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

• Develop, implement and manage an ergonomic assessment program to address hazards within variable work environments.
• Partner with the Disability Services Team and County departments to provide ergonomic recommendations, education, and accommodation support for the County workforce.
• Consult with and advise County management and departmental safety staff on regulatory compliance, training, ergonomics, auditing, and safety/health best practices; oversee programs to ensure alignment with County and HR strategic goals.
• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local legislation and codes; assess impacts and ensure policies and programs remain compliant.
• Plan, organize, and implement ergonomics and safety programs for multiple departments; deliver specific training to employees.
• Design and conduct inspections, audits, and evaluations.
• Utilize advanced instrumentation; interpret findings and present technical reports with actionable recommendations.
• Provide loss control recommendations based on hazard analysis and/or results of safety and ergonomics surveys or studies.
• Emergency response to investigate serious injuries at County facilities and remote work sites.
• Emergency response to facilitate Labor and Industries DOSH Safety Compliance Inspectors' unscheduled safety audits at County facilities and remote work sites.
• Function as expert witness on behalf of King County providing testimony on ergonomics and safety reports and workers compensation claims. Act as liaison and arbitrator in cases involving the Department of Labor and Industries.
• Review and monitor construction and remodel plans to ensure compliance with safety and ergonomic standards; collaborate with architects, project managers, and designers.
• Monitor construction projects and evaluate systems design to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Participate in contract negotiations and manage external vendors and interlocal agreements.
• Develop and manage project budgets, resources, timelines, and performance metrics.
• Provide backup oversight for pre-employment physical process administration.
• Stay current on emerging best practices and regulatory changes in ergonomics and safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of experience in an ergonomics, human factors, safety, or occupational health related field; AND
• Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE®) or Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP®) certification

Necessary Licensing/Certification Requirements:

• A valid driver's license or the ability to travel to remote County worksites and safety and health emergencies throughout King County in a timely manner. Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license to operate a Non-Revenue County vehicle.

Additional Qualifications

• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, roles, and organizational levels—including leadership, internal teams, and external partners—while fostering collaboration and mutual success.
• Advanced technical knowledge and skill in specialty areas such as ergonomics, human factors, safety, engineering and systems safety.
• Advanced knowledge of federal, state, and local safety and health regulations.
• Advanced knowledge and skill in the use of specialized instruments used in ergonomic evaluations and assessments.
• Skill in analyzing emergency conditions and directing appropriate resources.
• 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.
• Skill in working effectively and cooperatively to independently analyze, problem solve, resolve conflicts, and collaborate with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds to find creative solutions.
• 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.
• Experience conducting technical training and presentations.
• Proficiency in 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).

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 Safety and Health Professional – Certified; class code: 2334600.

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.

Additional Information

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 jen.montoya@kingcounty.gov.