Co-Op/Intern- Department of Workplace Standards – Occupational Safety and Health

Job Description

Co-Op/Intern- Department of Workplace Standards | Commonwealth of Kentucky

The Tone:
This is a Co-Op/Intern position with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, specifically within the Education and Labor Cabinet’s Department of Workplace Standards, located in Frankfort, KY. The Cabinet is dedicated to educating, preparing, training, and ensuring the safety of Kentucky’s workforce, aiming to continuously improve the state’s education and workforce system. This role is crucial for students seeking meaningful employment in state government, providing an opportunity to develop practical workplace skills and explore career options in public service within the field of workplace safety and standards enforcement. The Department of Workplace Standards enforces statutes related to wages, hours, and occupational safety and health.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Interim, Less than 9 months, 37.5 hours/week
• Location: In-person, Frankfort, KY
• Pay: $11.67–$19.09 Hourly
• Team: Education & Labor Cabinet | Department of Workplace Standards
• Mission: To provide students with practical experience in enforcing and promoting workplace safety and health standards across the Commonwealth.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Observation: Observe and participate in safety and health surveys to identify violations of OSH standards, rules, and regulations for public and private employees.
• Reporting: Assist in the preparation of detailed, comprehensive technical reports related to workplace standards.
• Research & Travel: Research technical OSHA regulations and travel throughout the state with consultants.
• Training Development: Learn to develop training programs aimed at enhancing safety within the workplace.
• Inspections: Conduct safety inspections under close supervision towards the end of the training period.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Career level: Entry-Level. Must be a full-time student, either a high school junior or senior, or enrolled at an accredited Kentucky post-secondary school or other educational institution approved by the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. Applicants must furnish proof of enrollment.
• Experience: None explicitly required, as this position is designed to provide students with initial employment and skill development in state government.
• Skills: None explicitly listed as prerequisites; the role focuses on developing practical workplace skills through observation, research, reporting, and learning operational procedures for technical instruments.