Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established February 22, 1995

Scope

This series specification describes four levels of professional classes used by the State Compensation Insurance Fund (SCIF) that specialize in ergonomic and human factors activities in the field of occupational health. Positions in these classes provide consultation and direction to field Loss Control Representatives of the SCIF on ergonomic and human factor problems, integrate ergonomic concepts into standard safety programs for the State Fund's clients, and perform specialized ergonomic investigations.

Definition of Series

Classes in this series are involved in organizing and conducting ergonomic studies of the State Fund's insured operations, evaluating the results of those studies, and providing possible solutions for the control of cumulative trauma disorders. Incumbents develop internal ergonomic and human factors standards, programs, procedures, and policies; review existing policies, recommending revisions where appropriate; and provide training and assistance to the safety personnel of the State Fund.

Individuals in this series are occupational health professionals who possess and utilize expertise and specialization in the area of human factors engineering including, but not limited to: specialized evaluation equipment, software programs, modeling, etc.; specialized application of tool, system, machine, and task design; expertise in human anatomy and physiology including anthropometics, physical capabilities, and biomechanics; and engineering and mechanical industrial processes necessary to conduct on-site job analyses 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 Fund's program, and the degree of supervision exercised and received, serve as differentiating factors between levels.

Entry Level

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

Definition of Levels

Junior Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This is the trainee level. Under close supervision of other professional staff, performs the less complex ergonomic field work; assists higher level professional staff in conducting preliminary surveys of insured's work environments, and in studies of potential hazards of specific industries or processes; prepares reports of findings and makes recommendations for the control of hazardous conditions for review by other ergonomic consulting personnel; assists in the construction and use of special field apparatus for monitoring or collecting data; researches and collects statistics and data from ergonomic studies; assists with maintenance of ergonomic equipment; prepares correspondence; and performs other related work under supervision.

Assistant Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This is the first working professional level. Under direction, performs ergonomic field work of average difficulty; conducts preliminary ergonomic evaluations of insured's specific operations, evaluates and interprets results and offers possible solutions; contributes to the development of internal ergonomic guidelines, standards, procedures, and policies; consults with field personnel on typical ergonomic questions; assists in the development of ergonomic training programs for field personnel and employers, serving as an instructor in such programs; facilitates in the design, construction and use of special field apparatuses; collects statistics and information from job site analyses and studies, prepares reports, and dictates correspondence; and performs other related work under general supervision.

Associate Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This is the full journeyperson professional level. Under general direction, performs difficult ergonomic studies of policyholders' operations and evaluates the results; assists in the development of internal ergonomics guidelines and standards, procedures, and policies; reviews existing policies and recommends revisions where appropriate; consults with field loss control personnel on difficult ergonomic questions; identifies the training and education needs of key loss control personnel; develops specialized educational programs and coordinates and administers instruction; applies basic ergonomic and physical principles to solve problems of measurements and evaluation; utilizes mechanical and electrical procedures to suggest control measure alternatives for situations presenting hazards to health in industry; identifies risk factors, analyzes energy expenditure and musculo-skeletal tasks through software programs, illumination, vibration, repetitive motion and other physical and psycho-social factors in industrial situations; designs and executes field studies to evaluate the total working environment in a given industry; may act as lead analyst for one or more Assistant Ergonomic Specialists in connection with studies or special projects; prepares reports and dictates correspondence; and performs other related work.

Senior Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This is the supervisory level of the series. Under general direction, is responsible for work requiring the highest level of technical and professional expertise; plans, organizes and directs the State Fund ergonomic consultation work; determines priorities and assigns and evaluates the work of three or more lower-level ergonomic specialists; develops and evaluates ergonomic policies; conducts and participates in meetings with Department staff and others concerning occupational health and safety matters; prepares and reviews correspondence and reports; establishes and monitors annual operating plans and budgets for the ergonomics program; maintains liaison and represents the State Fund with other governmental agencies, labor, management, State Fund policyholders, and the public and as assigned, represents the State Fund occupational safety and health program on departmental, agency or interagency committees or task forces; and performs other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

Junior Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or equivalent degree (certificate or diploma) as approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310, with specialization in ergonomics or human factors or a closely related field, including anatomy, biomechanics, industrial engineering, kinesiology, medicine, occupational health, physical anthropology, physical education, physiology, psychology or systems engineering.

Assistant Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Experience: Either

1. One year of experience performing the duties of a Junior Ergonomic Specialist, SCIF. or

2. Two years of increasingly responsible experience as an industrial safety or hygiene specialist, industrial ergonomist or performing human factors work demonstrating professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating and controlling ergonomic hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating and implementing occupational ergonomic programs. This experience shall include at least one year in a position comparable in level, scope, responsibility and duties to that of a Junior Ergonomic Specialist, SCIF, in California state service. (A Master's Degree in Ergonomics or a closely related field may be substituted for the two years of the required experience.) and Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or equivalent degree (certificate or diploma) as approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310, with specialization in ergonomics or human factors or a closely related field, including anatomy, biomechanics, industrial engineering, kinesiology, medicine, occupational health, physical anthropology, physical education, physiology, psychology or systems engineering.

Associate Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Experience: Either

1. One year of experience performing the duties of an Assistant Ergonomic Specialist, SCIF. or

2. Three years of increasingly responsible experience as an industrial safety or hygiene specialist, industrial ergonomist, or performing human factors work demonstrating professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating and controlling ergonomic hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating and implementing occupational ergonomic programs. This experience shall include at least two years in a position comparable in level, scope, responsibility and duties to that of an Assistant Ergonomic Specialist, SCIF, in California state service. (A Master's Degree in Ergonomics or a closely related field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.) and Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or equivalent degree (certificate or diploma) as approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310, with specialization in ergonomics or human factors or a closely related field, including anatomy, biomechanics, industrial engineering, kinesiology, medicine, occupational health, physical anthropology, physical education, physiology, psychology or systems engineering.

Senior Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

This position will require certification by a nationally recognized ergonomics, human factors, or occupational safety and health board. (Applicants who�are not certified will be admitted to the examination if they can demonstrate that they have been accepted by an appropriate board for candidacy for certification. Applicants must secure the certification before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and Experience: Either

1. One year of experience performing the duties of an Associate Ergonomic Specialist, SCIF. or

2. Five years of increasingly responsible experience as an industrial safety or hygiene specialist, industrial ergonomist or human factors work demonstrating professional or technical experience in identifying, evaluating and controlling ergonomic hazards in work places, and developing, evaluating and implementing occupational ergonomic programs. This experience shall include at least three years in a position comparable in level, scope, responsibility and duties to that of an Assistant Ergonomic Specialist, SCIF, in California state service. (A Master's Degree in Ergonomics or a closely related field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.) and Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or equivalent degree (certificate or diploma) as approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310, with specialization in ergonomics or human factors or a closely related field, including anatomy, biomechanics, industrial engineering, kinesiology, medicine, occupational health, physical anthropology, physical education, physiology, psychology or systems engineering.

Knowledge and Abilities

Junior Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Knowledge of: Basic ergonomic principles and methods; State and Federal laws, rules and regulations on the health of industrial workers.

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

Assistant Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Knowledge of: All of the above, and ergonomic health and safety practices; workers' compensation laws.

Ability to: All of the above, and analyze, design and evaluate products, systems and environments for human use in the occupational arena.

Associate Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Knowledge of: All of the above, and methods and practices used in the determination and elimination of industrial hazards; basic principles of training.

Ability to: All of the above, and independently conduct the most difficult field studies and investigations; identify organizational needs in occupational health service programs; develop, conduct and coordinate educational programs and ergonomic issues; train other technical personnel.

Senior Ergonomic Specialist, State Compensation Insurance Fund

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and practices of the effective training and supervision of a technical staff; the State Fund's Affirmative Action Program objectives and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above and propose and evaluate internal ergonomic standards and policies; plan, organize and direct the work of a professional staff; establish and maintain liaison with insured clients of the State Fund and with Federal, State and local agencies; effectively represent the occupational health program on departmental, agency, or interagency committee work; effectively contribute to the State Fund's affirmative action objectives.

Class History