Ergonomist The Ergonomist is responsible for evaluating work environments, job tasks, equipment, and processes to reduce musculoskeletal risk, improve employee safety, and support efficient, sustainable performance. This role applies principles of ergonomics, biomechanics, human factors, rehabilitation, occupational health, and safety to design practical interventions that help employees work comfortably and effectively across clinical, office, industrial, field, or hybrid settings.
Schedule: PRN/As-Needed
Compensation: $40.00 - $41.50/hrKey Responsibilities:
Conduct ergonomic evaluations of workstations, job tasks, tools, equipment, workflows, and employee work practices. Identify ergonomic risk factors such as awkward posture, forceful exertion, repetition, vibration, contact stress, manual handling, and prolonged static positioning. Develop evidence-based recommendations to reduce injury risk and improve comfort, safety, accessibility, and productivity. Partner with leaders, employees, safety teams, occupational health, rehabilitation professionals, facilities, engineering, and operations to implement ergonomic improvements. Recommend appropriate equipment, workstation modifications, assistive devices, tools, and process changes based on employee and organizational needs. Provide individual and group education on safe body mechanics, workstation setup, manual handling, early symptom reporting, and ergonomic best practices. Support injury prevention, return-to-work, stay-at-work, and accommodation processes within the scope of the role and in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders. Document assessments, findings, recommendations, implementation status, and follow-up outcomes in a clear and timely manner. Track ergonomic trends, injury data, discomfort reports, and program metrics to identify opportunities for improvement. Stay current with applicable ergonomic standards, occupational health and safety practices, human factors research, and relevant regulatory requirements.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in ergonomics, occupational safety, kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, industrial engineering, human factors, biomechanics, or a related field.
Experience conducting ergonomic assessments in workplace, clinical, industrial, office, or operational settings.
Working knowledge of musculoskeletal injury prevention, human anatomy, biomechanics, task analysis, and workstation design.
Ability to assess work environments, identify practical solutions, and communicate recommendations to employees and leaders.
Strong written documentation, presentation, training, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple evaluations, projects, and follow-up activities while maintaining accurate records.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to use assessment tools, checklists, and data tracking systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree or advanced clinical degree in a related discipline.
Certification or eligibility for certification in ergonomics, human factors, occupational safety, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or a related professional area.
Experience using ergonomic assessment methods such as RULA, REBA, NIOSH lifting equation, push/pull analysis, discomfort surveys, or job demand analysis.
Experience supporting multi-site ergonomic programs, healthcare operations, rehabilitation services, manufacturing, logistics, or office-based work environments.
Knowledge of ADA accommodation processes, workers' compensation concepts, return-to-work principles, and injury prevention programming.
Experience developing training materials, dashboards, standard work, policies, or program metrics.
Core Competencies:
Clinical and technical judgment: Applies ergonomic, biomechanical, and human factors principles to real-world work environments.
Problem solving: Identifies root causes and develops practical, cost-conscious recommendations.
Collaboration: Builds effective partnerships with employees, leaders, safety teams, facilities, and clinical stakeholders.
Communication: Explains findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Program management: Organizes assessments, implementation plans, follow-up activities, and outcome tracking.
Continuous improvement: Uses data and feedback to improve ergonomic processes, training, and prevention strategies.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements:
This role may require travel between work sites and the ability to observe employees performing job tasks in office, clinical, industrial, warehouse, field, or other operational environments. The Ergonomist may occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, reach, bend, kneel, or demonstrate safe work techniques as part of assessments and training. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of the role.
Success Measures:
Timely completion of ergonomic assessments and follow-up recommendations.
Improved employee comfort, safety awareness, and safe work practices.
Reduction in ergonomic risk factors, discomfort reports, or preventable musculoskeletal injuries.
Successful implementation of practical engineering, administrative, and equipment-based controls.
High-quality documentation and clear communication with employees, leaders, and cross-functional partners.
Demonstrated contribution to a proactive culture of safety, prevention, and continuous improvement.
