Job Posting: Senior Safety Engineer, Research and Standards Health Unit

Department of Industrial Relations

JC-497213
-
Senior Safety Engineer, Research and Standards Health Unit
SENIOR SAFETY ENGINEER (INDUSTRIAL)

$11,427.00 - $14,298.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/19/2025

Job Description and Duties

**Please ensure application is complete with detailed job descriptions/tasks performed, employment beginning and ending date information, and hours worked per week.**

 

Working at the Cal/OSHA means much more than showing up for a job. You will be able to work on programs that are vital to the health and safety of our community, work force, and the state. We recognize the strength in teamwork. We know that by encouraging collaboration and diversity, educating employers in best practices, and protecting the health and safety of employees through enforcement of regulations will benefit our economy as a whole. Be part of a team that prides itself in making a difference for Californians. 

 

What will be the difference that you make for California?

 

Cal/OSHA is seeking a Senior Safety Engineer (Industrial) (SSE) to join the team at the Cal/OSHA Research and Standards Health Unit (R&SHU).  

 

Under the direction of the Principal Safety Engineer (Industrial), the SSE handles the more varied, complex, and sensitive health and safety issues in the evaluation and development of Title 8 regulations; provision of technical assistance to Cal/OSHA staff and outside labor, management and the general public; and evaluation of requests for a variance from Title 8 regulations. 

 

There is one position that may be filled in either Oakland, Sacramento or Santa Ana. Please see all postings under different job controls in CalCareers. If you are interested in the position at more than one location, please submit a new application for each job control. 

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:  

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2588

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This job is located at:
DOSH Research and Standards Health Unit
2 MacArthur Place 7th FL Suite 700, Santa Ana, CA 92707.

 

If you are interested in the position at more than one location, please submit a new application for each job control.

 

The work will primarily occur indoors in a large, pleasant, modern office environment within a high-rise building where access is achieved by elevator. The office environment will consist of cubicles, small offices, and file storage areas. The work will involve use of typical office tools such as computers, telephones, printers, scanners, staplers and filing apparatus. The work will involve exposure to typical office noise, extensive time spent in a stationary position, and repetitive movement involving personal computers, telephones and other equipment. The work will involve frequent interaction with coworkers. 

 

Work will require travel elsewhere in the state to training facilities and other workplaces (e.g. healthcare, manufacturing or construction job sites). Field work could involve significantly different conditions than described above, including exposure to hazards such as outdoor conditions in inclement weather, uneven terrain, heights, moving equipment, and biological, chemical and physical agents.  

 

Required travel would occur via private vehicle, state vehicle, or public transportation (i.e. automobile, airplane, etc.) and could include overnight travel within California.

  • Our Santa Ana office is located in a newly remodeled building with state-of-the-art video and telecom systems.  
  • It has a gym that is free to tenants.  
  • It provides reserved and unreserved parking for a fee. 
  • It is less than a mile from John Wayne Airport and has nearby access to freeway 55 and 405. 
  • It is within walking distance to public transportation, South Coast Plaza, sandwich shops, and ethnic restaurants including Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Italian that are great for dining with co-workers or friends for lunch

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-497213
Position #(s):
400-432-3909-XXX
Working Title:
Senior Safety Engineer, Research and Standards Health Unit
Classification:
SENIOR SAFETY ENGINEER (INDUSTRIAL)
$11,427.00 - $14,298.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Orange County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers.

Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.

Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions” section below and ensure the following:

Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

  • Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
  • Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.
  • Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.
Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: 

A cover letter which describes how your experience prepares you for the duties described in the duty statement. Specify the number of years of experience you have that prepares you for the different duties. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages long with one-inch margins, 12-point Arial font. 

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 11/19/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Mailing Address Sacramento
Attn: Personnel Recruitment & Hiring Unit
2180 Harvard Street Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95815

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento
Personnel Recruitment & Hiring Unit
2180 Harvard Street Suite 160
Sacramento, CA 95815
08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Other - Cover Letter
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

  • A commitment to safe workplaces and to public service; 
  • Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and/or Certified Safety Professional (CSP); 
  • Possession of a valid California driver’s license; 
  • Knowledge of diverse and varied work processes in a variety of industrial sectors; 
  • Knowledge of the more complex aspects of identifying, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards; 
  • Knowledge of industrial advanced safety engineering and accident prevention principles; 
  • Knowledge of the California Labor Code, Title 8 Code of Regulations, and Cal/OSHA organization; 
  • Knowledge of the California Administrative Procedures Act and the OSH Standards Board; 
  • Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and Teams; 
  • Skills to effectively address large groups and conduct effective meetings, presentations and trainings; 
  • Skills to effectively research, evaluate and analyze the more difficult safety and health problems and controls; 
  • Skills to compose clear and compelling documents on complex health and safety subjects; 
  • Ability to follow oral and written directions;  
  • Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws, regulations and legal decisions; 
  • Ability to work with a high degree of initiative and independence; 
  • Ability to identify sensitive or confidential information and handle it appropriately; 
  • Ability to be flexible and handle unexpected developments, evaluate situations accurately, think creatively, and respond effectively under strict time constraints; 
  • Ability to manage time, manage multiple projects, prioritize, and complete assignments in a timely manner; 
  • Ability to tactfully consult with labor, management, and public groups on complex and sensitive safety engineering problems, maintain the confidence and respect of others, and contribute to a collegial work environment.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
  • Health, Dental & Vision Benefits
  • Paid Sick, Vacation and Holidays
  • 401(k), 457, and ROTH IRA plans
  • Retirement (CalPERS)
  • Military Leave
  • Reimbursement Accounts
  • Public Transit Subsidy And many more!
  • Visit www.calhr.ca.gov for a full list of available benefits

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Certification Unit
(800) 564-0771
cert@dir.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Diversity and Inclusion Office
(916) 559-6999
DIO@dir.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

DIR Mission and Core Values

Our mission is to protect and improve the welfare and working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR is also committed to ensuring that all employers comply with labor laws in California to support a fair and thriving business environment.

Integrity - We fulfill the promise of our mission through fair, honest and ethical behavior.

Service - We are committed to responsibly serving the public and value their trust.

Respect - We treat others with dignity, courtesy and consideration.

Quality - We take pride in providing the public with accurate and timely services.

Transparency - We conduct ourselves with openness and accountability in all aspects of our work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job