Public Safety Inspector

Position Overview

Essential Functions

• Travels to a wide variety of state, county, and municipal workplaces to conduct inspections while using personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, and protective clothing.


• Investigates incidents, accidents, and fatalities in public workplaces which require sensitive technical inspection.


• Prepares detailed inspection reports documenting findings and detailing violations of health and safety regulations and standards.


• Receives training to improve inspection skills and knowledge.


• Develops a variety of training material concerning occupational safety and health standards.


• Performs other duties as assigned, which are reasonable within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of two (2) years of college including courses in engineering, technology, physical or life sciences, industrial hygiene, or related fields.


• Requires either:

         A) Successful completion of the State of Illinois Public Safety Inspector Trainee program;

         OR

        B) One year of scientific, technical, or other work experience that demonstrates understanding of occupational safety and health principles and practices and successful completion of the applicable OSHA sanctioned training course(s) prior to expiration of probationary period of employment.

      Related work experience in the areas of work safety inspection and consultation, promotion or training may be accepted as meeting the requirements of this class on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience working with state and federal Occupational Safety and Health Act standards, laws, rules, and regulations.


• Two (2) years of working knowledge of effective methods of inspection and enforcement.


• Two (2) years of experience preparing clear and concise reports of inspections.


• One (1) year of working knowledge of the fundamental principles of sound safety and health practices and methods.


• Two (2) years of experience developing and presenting training to various groups.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to wear a negative pressure respirator (NPR) and walk for extended periods of time while carrying equipment weighing 15-30 pounds. A powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) may be substituted for an NPR as determined by a physician or licensed health care professional.


• Requires the ability to walk extensively, to climb ladders, and to use personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses and protective clothing.


• Must pass a pre-employment screening.


• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.


• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.


• This position is considered heavy work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(d)). Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.


• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.


• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.


• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.


• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. 

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is one of Illinois' most important and dynamic Agencies. With an annual budget of $22.6 million, and an authorized staff of nearly 143 full-time employees, IDOL has the capacity and capability to provide administration and enforcement of over 25 labor and safety Laws. At IDOL, we take pride in our Agency's mission: to promote and protect the rights, wages, welfare, working conditions, safety, and health of Illinois workers through enforcement of state labor laws, and to safeguard the public through regulation of amusement rides and to ensure compliance with all other labor standards.