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

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Extra Salary Information: The target pay range typically considered 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.

Help Protect Washington Workers and Communities from Catastrophic Hazards

Are you an experienced workplace safety and compliance leader ready to make a statewide impact?

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is seeking a Process Safety Management (PSM) Statewide Compliance Manager to lead highly specialized occupational safety and health enforcement efforts focused on some of the most complex and high-risk industries in the state.

This is not a routine management role. This position leads critical statewide compliance operations involving facilities that handle highly hazardous chemicals, including petroleum refineries and other major industrial operations where the stakes are exceptionally high. Your leadership will directly influence worker safety, public protection, regulatory excellence, and the prevention of catastrophic incidents such as fires, explosions, and chemical releases.

If you thrive in high-profile environments, excel at leading technical teams, and are passionate about protecting workers while shaping the future of safety enforcement, this is an opportunity to lead meaningful work that truly matters.

For this position, teleworking is permitted dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. You can expect to be in-office at least one day per week. The assigned office location can be any one of the following: Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Everett, Bellevue, Tukwila, Seattle Silverdale, Tacoma, or Tumwater, WA.

Learn more about DOSH here: 50 Years of DOSH

Why This Role Matters

The work performed by this program has a direct impact on preventing serious injuries, illnesses, fires, explosions, and large-scale chemical incidents across Washington State.

Successful leadership in this position helps:

• Protect thousands of workers in high-risk industries
• Reduce catastrophic process safety incidents
• Improve statewide workplace safety outcomes
• Strengthen public confidence in regulatory enforcement
• Advance safety innovation and operational consistency across Washington

What Youll Do

As the PSM Statewide Compliance Manager, you will provide statewide leadership for Washingtons Process Safety Management enforcement program under WAC 296-67 and High Hazard Facilities requirements under WAC 296-71 . You will oversee a specialized team of technical safety professionals responsible for inspections, audits, investigations, and enforcement activities involving highly hazardous chemical processes.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and develop a team of highly skilled safety investigators and technical specialists
• Direct statewide compliance operations involving high-hazard industries and chemical process facilities
• Oversee fatality investigations, catastrophic incident response, and complex enforcement actions
• 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
• Provide strategic oversight for inspections, audits, compliance initiatives, and Local Emphasis Programs
• Build strong partnerships with employers, workers, industry groups, and community stakeholders
• Serve as a trusted subject matter expert in process safety and occupational safety enforcement
• And other impactful work that supports our mission

This position also plays a key role in ensuring Washingtons five crude oil refineries and other covered facilities operate in compliance with state safety regulations designed to protect workers and surrounding communities.

Driving is an essential function of this position. The incumbent is required to travel between worksites to perform assigned duties and must operate a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personally owned vehicle (POV), as appropriate. Use of a POV will be reimbursed at the current state mileage reimbursement rate.

Must be able to safely navigate a variety of work environments, including large manufacturing facilities with metal stairways, catwalks, ladders, and uneven terrain. Must also be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, using appropriate protective gear.

Working Conditions

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

REQUIRED:

• 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.

And one of the following:

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Safety, Chemistry, Physics, or related field AND Five years of experience in a compliance regulatory environment in a supervisory or management role

OR

• Ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing complex regulatory enforcement programs

In addition, ideal candidates will bring:

• Extensive experience with Process Safety Management (PSM)
• Experience leading investigations involving fires, explosions, or catastrophic chemical releases
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Expert knowledge of occupational safety and health regulations and enforcement practices
• Strong judgment and decision-making abilities in high-profile or complex situations
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working in politically sensitive or highly visible environments

DESIRED:

Highly competitive candidates may also possess:

• 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

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.

Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employees 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:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. 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 by the ­Washington 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&Is ... .

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 agencys greatest resource 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 .... 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 ... .