Industrial Hygienist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established July 25, 1979

Scope

This series specification describes five levels of professional classes which specialize in industrial hygiene activities in the State, such as investigating and recommending corrections for industrial hygiene problems through recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental hazards which adversely affect the health of workers.

Definition of Series

Classes in this series are involved in conducting inspections and investigations in work places throughout the State; providing consultation and assistance to other agencies, interested groups, and industry in the enforcement of industrial hygiene and occupational health standards; developing and evaluating proposed standards; and providing training in methods and techniques in meeting and enforcing standards. Individuals in this series are occupational health professionals who have expertise and strong specialization in one or more phases of biological, chemical, or toxicological factors, effects, and control measures or in the area of engineering and mechanical control operations and industrial processes encountered in work places.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

The scope and level of responsibilities assigned, complexity of work, independence and consequence of action, impact of decision making on the State program, and the degree of supervision exercised and received serve as the differentiating factors between individual levels.

Entry Levels

Typical entry into this series by inexperienced personnel is through the Junior level, the trainee class for the series. Entry from outside State service, or from other series in State service, may be at any level.

Definition of Levels

Junior Industrial Hygienist

This is the trainee level. Under close supervision of other professional staff, performs the less complex industrial hygiene field work; assists higher level professional staff in conducting preliminary surveys and inspections of occupational environments, and in studies of potential health hazards of specific substances or in specific industries or processes; prepares reports of findings and makes recommendations for the control of hazardous conditions for review by other industrial hygiene personnel; assists in the construction and use of special field apparatus for monitoring or collecting samples; collects morbidity statistics from industrial establishments; prepares correspondence; and does other related work.

Assistant Industrial Hygienist

This is the first working professional level. Under direction, performs industrial hygiene work of average difficulty; makes preliminary surveys and inspections of occupational environments; conducts studies of potential health hazards of specific substances or in specific industries or processes; prepares reports of findings and makes recommendations for the elimination or control of hazardous conditions; assists in the design, construction, and use of special field apparatus; collects statistics and information from industrial establishments; gives information on the control of industrial health hazards; interprets standards; dictates correspondence and prepares reports; and does other related work.

Associate Industrial Hygienist

This is the full professional journey level. Under general direction, performs difficult industrial hygiene work in connection with health hazards in places of employment; does research on problems of occupational hazards; develops special sampling and measuring apparatus and techniques; investigates complaints of unhealthful working conditions and recommends corrective action; represents the department at meetings of professional and community groups; works with and advises local health departments, industry and employee groups, and State and other governmental agencies in the field of industrial hygiene; assists in collecting and interpreting statistical data; prepares articles for publication; assists in training, directing, and reviewing the work of other personnel; prepares reports and correspondence; may act as leaderperson over subordinate staff members in connection with studies or special projects; and does other related work.

Senior Industrial Hygienist

This is the first supervisory level. Under general direction, is responsible for an industrial hygiene program in an assigned geographic area or subject-matter function; performs the more complex industrial hygiene works; plans, assigns, and supervises the work of one or more industrial hygiene staff members in an assigned geographic area, or works independently in a staff capacity on complex industrial hygiene problems, or in coordinating or conducting major studies and investigations; conducts site inspections; consults with management, professional, and technical personnel, and makes and secures recommendations for the prevention, elimination, or control of hazards; identifies training needs and assists in the development of training plans; reviews proposed health standards, evaluates them, and makes recommendations for their acceptance or modification; represents the department in contacts with the community, industries, and other agencies; participates in and conducts meetings with department staff and others concerning occupational health and safety matters; collects, records, and analyzes statistical data; determines priorities, assigns work, and evaluates performance of staff; prepares and reviews correspondence and reports; and does other related work.

Supervising Industrial Hygienist

This is the second supervisory level. Under general direction, is responsible for work of the highest level of technical and professional expertise; plans, organizes, and directs the industrial hygiene work in a major geographic area or supervises the work of a major section activity; proposes and evaluates health standards; conducts and participates in meetings with department staff and others concerning occupational health and safety matters; determines priorities, assigns work, and evaluates staff performance; prepares and reviews correspondence and reports; maintains liaison and represents the department with other governmental agencies, labor, management, and the public, and as assigned, represents the occupational health and safety program on departmental, agency, or interagency committees or task forces; and does other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

Junior Industrial Hygienist

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in industrial hygiene, environmental health, engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, public health, or in a field directly related to occupational health and safety. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Assistant Industrial Hygienist

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Junior Industrial Hygienist.

Or II

Experience: Two years of professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating, and implementing occupational health standards. This experience shall include at least one year in a position comparable in level, responsibility, and duties to that of a Junior Industrial Hygienist in the California state service. (A Master's Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, or a closely related curriculum may be substituted for one year of the required general experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in industrial hygiene, environmental health, engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, public health, or in a field directly related to occupational health and safety. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) A Master's Degree in Industrial Hygiene or Occupational Health, acquired in a two-year master's degree program including planned work experiences, may be substituted for the two years of required general experience.

Associate Industrial Hygienist

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Assistant Industrial Hygienist.

Or II

Experience: Three years of increasingly responsible professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating, and implementing occupational health standards. This experience shall include at least two years in a position comparable in level, responsibility, and duties to that of an Assistant Industrial Hygienist in the California state service. (A Master's Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, or a closely related curriculum may be substituted for one year of the required general experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in industrial hygiene, environmental health, engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, public health, or in a field directly related to occupational health and safety. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) A Master's Degree in Industrial Hygiene or Occupational Health, acquired in a two-year master's degree program including planned work experiences, may be substituted for the two years of required general experience.

Senior Industrial Hygienist

Possession of a Certificate in the Comprehensive Practice of Industrial Hygiene issued by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, or a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. (Applicants who do not have either certificate will be admitted to the examination if they can demonstrate that they have been accepted by the appropriate board for candidacy for the certification, but they must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Industrial Hygienist.

Or II

Experience: Five years of increasingly responsible professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating, and implementing occupational health standards. This experience shall include at least two years in an industrial hygiene position comparable in level, responsibility, and duties to that of an Associate Industrial Hygienist in the California state service. (A Master's Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, or a closely related curriculum may be substituted for one year of the required general experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in industrial hygiene, environmental health, engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, public health, or in a field directly related to occupational health and safety. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) A Master's Degree in Industrial Hygiene or Occupational Health, acquired in a two-year master's degree program including planned work experiences, may be substituted for the two years of required general experience.

Supervising Industrial Hygienist

Possession of a Certificate in the Comprehensive Practice of Industrial Hygiene issued by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, or a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. (Applicants who do not have either certificate will be admitted to the examination if they can demonstrate that they have been accepted by the appropriate board for candidacy for the certification, but they must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Senior Industrial Hygienist.

Or II

Experience: Five years of broad and extensive professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating, and controlling health hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating, and implementing occupational health standards. This experience shall include at least two years in an industrial hygiene position comparable in level, responsibility, and duties to that of a Senior Industrial Hygienist in the California state service. (A Master's Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, or a closely related curriculum may be substituted for one year of the required general experience.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in industrial hygiene, environmental health, engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, public health, or in a field directly related to occupational health and safety. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) A Master's Degree in Industrial Hygiene or Occupational Health, acquired in a two-year master's degree program including planned work experiences, may be substituted for the two years of required general experience.

Knowledge and Abilities

Junior Industrial Hygienist

Knowledge of: Basic principles of industrial hygiene, environmental health, and State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations on the health of industrial workers; basic concepts of apparatus used to monitor and/or collect samples of substances for analysis.

Ability to: Analyze situations accurately, derive recommendations, and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of the work; communicate effectively; prepare clear and concise reports.

Assistant Industrial Hygienist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and public health and industrial hygiene principles and practices; one or more phases of biological, chemical, engineering, or toxicological factors, effects, and control measures; apparatus used to monitor and/or collect samples for analysis; methods, techniques, and practices used in determining and eliminating health hazards in industry.

Ability to: All of the above, and collect and evaluate plant findings and make recommendations for the elimination or control of hazardous conditions; function as a specialist in one or more phases of biological, chemical, engineering, or toxicological factor, and effects and control measures; interpret and apply industrial hygiene standards.

Associate Industrial Hygienist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and control of industrial health hazards; special sampling techniques and related apparatus; basic principles of supervision and training.

Ability to: All of the above, and independently conduct the most difficult field studies and investigations; represent the department in meetings with other governmental jurisdictions, industry, and community groups; train, lead, and review the work of other technical personnel.

Senior Industrial Hygienist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and practices of effective supervision and management of a technical staff; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and evaluate proposed health standards and make recommendations for their modification or acceptance; plan, organize, and direct the work of a professional staff; establish and maintain liaison with Federal, State, and local agencies, and with labor, management, and public interest groups; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Supervising Industrial Hygienist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and practices of personnel management and training; a manager's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and assign, direct, and evaluate comprehensive industrial hygiene studies and investigations; propose and evaluate health standards; effectively represent the occupational health and safety program on departmental, agency, or interagency committee work; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Class History

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* This was approved as an SPB staff calendar item.