Senior Occupational Safety & Health Specialist

Formerly Puget Sound Blood Center and Lane Blood Center, Bloodworks is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska – partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.


POSITION PURPOSE: As a member of the Occupational Safety & Health, Facilities & Engineering, and Workforce Resources leadership team provide oversight to the day-to-day activities of the department or group that support achievement of departmental and organizational goals.
The Senior Occupational Safety & Health Specialist provides leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of workplace health and safety programs that is central to building a resilient organization that prioritizes employee well-being, regulatory excellence, and sustainability. This role advances organizational safety strategy by ensuring regulatory compliance, driving risk prevention initiatives, and mentoring staff. The Senior Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, delivering expert guidance, training, and oversight to foster a culture of safety and sustainability across the organization.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES as SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH SPECIALIST:
• Lead and oversee workplace inspections and hazard assessments, ensuring systemic risk identification and the implementation of sustainable mitigation strategies.
• Design, deliver, and continuously improve organization-wide safety training programs and materials; mentor other staff in training development and delivery.
• Direct investigations of workplace incidents, near misses, and injuries, providing executive-level analysis of root causes and ensuring long-term corrective measures are embedded in practice.
• Guide the development, implementation, and periodic review of organizational safety policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and strategic goals.
• Partner with Facilities & Engineering, Human Resources, and organizational leadership to influence and enforce corrective and preventive measures across all levels of the organization.
• Oversee ergonomic assessment programs, ensuring timely solutions for repetitive stress and workforce hazards; advise facilities leadership on systemwide ergonomic standards and procurement practices.
• Provide senior oversight and coaching to Safety Committees, ensuring representation, accountability, and that meetings and outcomes meet organizational and regulatory expectations.
• Lead and support workers’ compensation management activities, including:
◦ Advising HR and supervisors on complex return-to-work cases, accommodations, and reintegration strategies.
◦ Managing and evaluating third-party vendors supporting post-injury workers’ compensation administration.
◦ Overseeing responses to Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) requests, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Champion a high-functioning safety culture through visible leadership, such as facilitating quarterly executive safety walkthroughs and promoting safety priorities in leadership and employee forums.
• Establish systems to track and ensure closure of corrective actions, providing reports and accountability updates to senior leadership.
• Ensure organizational compliance with OSHA, WISHA, Oregon OSHA, and other relevant regulations, serving as the senior subject matter expert.
• Evaluate and enhance the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), identifying trends and implementing improvements to meet evolving workplace risks.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organization’s Emergency Housing practices, establishing policies, partnerships, and long-term strategies that ensure organizational readiness, regulatory alignment, and sustained support for employees supporting Bloodworks operations in times of inclement weather and other emergencies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to employees, managers, and executives on safety-related questions, concerns, and long-term strategies.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Health and Safety or a related field; Master’s Degree or professional certification (e.g., CSP, CIH, CHMM) strongly preferred, or an equivalent