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Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Life, Physical, and Social Science (19-5011)
Bright Outlook

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

At a Glance

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists earns a median of $83,910/yr with +12.5% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Getting Information, Microsoft Outlook, SAP software.

Median Annual Wage

$83,910/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+12.5%

Annual Openings

15

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (13)

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.0
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

4.0
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.0
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

3.8
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.8
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.8
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.8
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.8
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.6
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.4
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.3

Knowledge (11)

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.0
Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

3.9
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.8
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

3.8
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.7
Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

3.6
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

3.6
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

3.5
Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

3.5
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.4
Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

3.3

Abilities (13)

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.0
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

4.0
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

4.0
Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

3.9
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.9
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.9
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.8
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3

Technology (11)

Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (30)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.6
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.5
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.4
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.4
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.3
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.3
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.3
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.2
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.2
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

4.2
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

4.1
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.1
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.1
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.0
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.0
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.9
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.7
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.7
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.7
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.7
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.6
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.6
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.6
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.5
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.5
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

3.5
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.4
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.4

Work Styles (1)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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