Shipwright Health & Safety - Washington State Ferries

Posting number: 26DOT-WSF-G0090

Department: Dept. of Transportation

Division: Washington State Ferries

Job classification: MARINE-FERRY SYSTEM

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Transportation, Safety

Summary

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

Washington State Ferries (WSF) is an essential part of Washington's transportation network. Every year, we carry nearly 20 million passengers across Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on more than 400 sailings a day. Our dedicated teams with over 2,100 people work together to serve our communities and shape the future of ferry travel. 

The Opportunity

WSF, a division of WSDOT, is currently seeking a Health and Safety Specialist to help foster a safe, healthy, and compliant work environment at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. This position serves as a trusted safety partner by promoting proactive risk prevention, strengthening regulatory compliance, and supporting continuous improvement of health and safety programs that keep our workforce and facilities operating safely. Through collaboration with employees and leadership, this role advances a strong culture of safety while helping ensure the reliable maintenance of Washington State Ferries' vessels and terminals. By protecting the well-being of employees and supporting safe, dependable ferry operations, this position plays a vital role in delivering reliable transportation and exceptional public service to the people of Washington.

As we navigate a once-in-a-generation transformation to decarbonize our system — guided by our core values Serve, Respect, Trust, Grow Navigate, and bold strategic priorities Service Excellence, Improved Communication and Empowered People — there’s never been a more meaningful time to come aboard at Washington State Ferries.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you/the Health and Safety Specialist will:

• Conduct safety and health inspections, evaluations, and hazard assessments at the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility (EHMF) and aboard vessels to identify risks, recommend corrective actions, and ensure compliance with applicable safety regulations, policies, and standards.
• Serve as a trusted health and safety advisor by providing guidance to employees and management, promoting safe work practices, supporting occupational safety programs, and fostering a proactive safety culture.
• Administer and support assigned safety programs, including respiratory protection, hearing conservation, Shipyard Competent Person (SCP), and fall protection programs, ensuring regulatory compliance and program effectiveness.
• Monitor, evaluate, and improve EHMF safety policies, procedures, and processes through audits, risk assessments, trend analysis, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate the EHMF Health and Safety Committee, coordinate with regulatory agencies and leadership, develop safety reports and recommendations, and support agency-wide safety initiatives.
• Respond to safety incidents, emergencies, and Incident Command System (ICS) activations by providing technical safety expertise, conducting incident evaluations, and supporting emergency response operations.
• Uphold WSF’s strategic priorities (Service Excellence, Improved Communication, and Empowered People) and values (Serve, Grow, Trust, Respect, and Navigate), ensuring they are embedded in WSF’s culture through leadership actions

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Safety Awareness – Demonstrates the ability to observe, recognize, and respond to safety hazards and unsafe work practices while promoting a safe and healthy work environment.
• Safety Compliance – Demonstrates the ability to effectively learn, apply, and properly use assigned safety equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and fall protection equipment in accordance with established safety requirements.
• Mobility and Physical Capability – Demonstrates the ability to safely navigate a vari