L&I DOSH Process Safety Management (PSM) Statewide Compliance Manager

About the role

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) seeks a Process Safety Management (PSM) Statewide Compliance Manager to lead enforcement efforts in high-risk industries. This role involves overseeing inspections, audits, investigations, and enforcement activities related to highly hazardous chemical processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a specialized team of technical safety professionals responsible for inspections, audits, investigations, and enforcement activities involving high-hazard industries and chemical process facilities.
• Direct statewide compliance operations involving high-hazard industries and chemical process facilities.
• Ensure consistent, legally sound, and technically accurate enforcement decisions.
• Collaborate with agency leadership, legal teams, industry stakeholders, labor organizations, and policymakers.
• Help shape statewide safety policy, enforcement strategies, and emerging hazard response initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement, operational excellence, and professional development within the program.
• Build strong partnerships with employers, workers, industry groups, and community stakeholders.
• Provide strategic oversight for inspections, audits, compliance initiatives, and Local Emphasis Programs.
• Lead and develop a team of highly skilled safety investigators and technical specialists.
• Provide strategic oversight for inspections, audits, compliance initiatives, and Local Emphasis Programs.
• Drive continuous improvement, operational excellence, and professional development within the program.
• Build strong partnerships with employers, workers, industry groups, and community stakeholders.
• Provide strategic oversight for inspections, audits, compliance initiatives, and Local Emphasis Programs.

Requirements

Six or more years of experience leading, managing and/or supervising staff in ensuring compliance with WAC 296-67, Safety Standards for Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Materials, or equivalent laws established by OSHA or other State Plan states. This type of experience would include extensive experience in Process Hazard Analysis, PreStartup Safety Reviews, Mechanical Integrity, Hot Work Permit processes, Management of Change, Incident Investigation, Emergency Planning and response. It would also include a clear understanding of contractor requirements when performing maintenance and repair, turnaround, major renovation, or specialty work on or adjacent to PSM covered processes. Industry or regulatory experience in Process Safety Management with specific experience leading complex investigations involving fires, explosions or catastrophic chemical releases in covered facilities. The ability to lead process safety inspections and investigations in the capacity of a Journey level Investigator. Strong management and leadership skills. Expert knowledge of federal and state occupational safety and health programs, policies and regulations. Demonstrates ability to exercise good judgment in high profile cases or complex issues. Knowledge of government and public policy processes. Expert knowledge of public sector management and leadership principles. Advanced knowledge of computerized data and information systems. Demonstrates ability to think and plan strategically, develop and implement performance measurement systems, and achieve measurable results that are critical to the agency’s mission. Skills to manage perceptions in a highly political environment; build partnerships; and address multiple issues, competing priorities, and diverse interests of internal and external parties. Demonstrated skill in developing effective partnerships with stakeholder groups (including any interaction with business and/or labor and individuals). Demonstrates success relating to recognized collective bargaining organizations and ability to maintain excellent labor relations. Effective public speaking, interpersonal and written communication skills. Ability to make effective use of quality tools and principles. Ability to lead problem-solving activities to improve program performance. Knowledge and skills to manage human resources, including significant knowledge of federal and state employment laws and labor contracts, recruitment and fair hiring practices, performance appraisal, coaching and mentoring, corrective and disciplinary action, motivating and empowering staff, promoting a diverse workforce, balancing management and employee rights and responsibilities, and providing a safe and healthful workplace. Demonstrates ability to provide direction and guidance to line staff and others not under direct supervisory control. Demonstrates commitment to and understanding of worker health and safety. Demonstrates L&I Core Competencies and Leadership Competencies.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE), CSP, CIH, or Marine Chemist credentials.
• Advanced engineering or technical degrees.
• Experience in petroleum refining, petrochemical manufacturing, or chemical processing industries.
• Knowledge of RAGAGEP standards including API, ASME, IIAR, and Chlorine Institute guidance.
• Experience planning and leading large-scale process safety audits and investigations.

Skills

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Expert knowledge of federal and state occupational safety and health programs, policies and regulations.
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop and implement performance measurement systems.
• Effective public speaking, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage perceptions in a highly political environment; build partnerships; and address multiple issues, competing priorities, and diverse interests of internal and external parties.
• Demonstrated success relating to recognized collective bargaining organizations and ability to maintain excellent labor relations.
• Commitment to and understanding of worker health and safety.

Benefits

The target pay range for this position is $93,408 - $130,320 annually. The full pay range for this WMS Band is $71,004 - $130,320 annually. Compensation decisions are determined using factors such as job-related skills, experience, and education or training. We will consider your individual qualifications, should we make you an offer of employment.

Pay

The target pay range for this position is $93,408 - $130,320 annually. The full pay range for this WMS Band is $71,004 - $130,320 annually. Compensation decisions are determined using factors such as job-related skills, experience, and education or training.

Schedule

This role includes frequent statewide travel, including remote locations and overnight stays. Emergency response responsibilities on a rotating 24/7 on-call basis. Work in industrial environments requiring personal protective equipment (PPE). Occasional work outside normal business hours, including weekends and holidays.