Director Environmental Health & Safety - UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY : Job Details

Director Environmental Health & Safety

About University at Albany:Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of more than 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses.

Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

Job Description:Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and a member of the Facilities Management leadership team at the University at Albany, the Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) serves a critical role supporting scientific instruction, research, and safety through its environmental health and safety functions. The Director of EHS is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive environmental health and safety programs that ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as university policies creating a safe and healthy environment for the University community.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage all external regulatory oversight of campus operations, inspections, and building relationships with the New York State Department of Labor (DOL), the New York State Department of Health (DOH), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (EnCon), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Manage and oversee the remediation of violations assessed against the University at Albany. Ensures all reports are filed timely and in accordance with SUNY policies and procedures. Maintain accurate records related to Environmental Health & Safety. Prepare and submit required reports to regulatory agencies. Involved in public speaking and public education programs.
• Supervises a Radiation Safety Officer, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Chemical Waste / Chemical Hygiene Officer, Staff Assistant, and Biosafety Officer overseeing NYS Department of Health radiation licenses, sit on Radiation Safety Committee, manage oversight for chemical fume hood inventory, ensures compliance with all NYS Department of Labor Public Employee Safety & Health, maintains an air monitoring program, manages and administers a respirator program, and oversees hazardous and bio waste handling, disposal, and recordkeeping.
• Collaborate with research and department heads to ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices. Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive EHS training programs for staff, faculty, and students to minimize risks and promote a safe and healthy campus environment. Conduct regular safety inspections, risk assessments, and audits to identify and address potential hazards. Investigate and report on accidents, incidents, and recommend corrective actions. Investigate and report on accidents, incidents, and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop, update, and communicate EHS policies and procedures to all university stakeholders. Ensure policies align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Collaborate with various university departments, including facilities management, University Police Department (UPD), academic units, campus events, athletics, and student affairs to ensure there is a coordinated and clear approach to code administration and EHS. Communicate regularly with university leadership, providing updates on compliance status, emerging issues, and recommended actions.
• Develop and manage the budget for code administration and EH&S, including allocating resources for training, equipment, and other necessary initiatives.
• Oversee public health and safety initiatives including but not limited to the NYS Public Access to Defibrillators (PAD) Program, Stop the Bleed Program, Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Board of Directors representation, and Advisory Committee on Campus Security representation.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• Reports to AVP Facilities Management
• Supervises the following:
• Radiation Safety Officer
• Occupational Health and Safety Officer
• Chemical Waste / Chemical Hygiene Officer
• Staff Assistant
• Biosafety Officer

Job Requirements:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong communication skills

Requirements:Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, industrial hygiene, safety management, engineering, physical or life sciences, or related field with at least ten (10) years of professional experience in Environmental Health & Safety or related field.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or equivalent professional certification.
• Minimum three years supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to environmental health and safety.
• Demonstrated experience with policy and procedural development and implementation of those policies.
• Demonstrated training experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in environmental science, industrial hygiene, safety management, engineering, physical or life sciences, or related field.
• PhD degree in relevant field with at least five (5) years of post-PhD experience in Environmental Health and Safety.
• Ten (10) years of progressive experience in Environmental Health & Safety, including supervisory or leadership roles.
• Experience in a Higher Education setting.
• Experience working in a State or Government Agency.
• Additional certification beyond one minimum qualification of; Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
• Member in professional organizations such as ABSA International or similar.

Working Environment:

• Typical Office Environment

Additional Information:Professional Rank and Salary Grade: Environmental Health and Safety Office, SL-5, $110,000-$120,000

Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) ###-#### or via email at [email protected].

THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY IS AN EO/AA/IRCA/ADA EMPLOYER

Please apply online via

Application Instructions:Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating all the required minimum qualifications and any of the applicable preferred qualifications
• List of 3 professional references with e-mail addresses and telephone numbers

Note: After submitting your resume, the subsequent pages give you instructions for uploading additional documents (i.e. cover letter etc.).

A review of applications will start on March 10, 2025 and the search will remain open until the position is filled.