Occupational Summary
The Director, Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for identifying common safety and health hazards and establishing guidelines for protecting students and College personnel against such hazards. This position will maintain safety records, perform safety checks/inspections, develop and administer the College hazardous communication program, the occupational health, safety and hygiene programs, as well as, develop and coordinate health and safety education and training programs. The Director, Environmental Health and Safety will serve as the Co-Chair of the Crisis Response Team and also as the back-up for the college’s emergency management program.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Identifies and anticipates environmental health and safety concerns by inspecting environmental, operational, and occupational conditions, investigates violations, and develops and recommends safety policies and programs
- Enforces college-wide safety policies in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, including the preparation and submission of required OSHA and other federal and state reporting requirements as needed
- Maintains and updates various College safety and emergency plans, including building evacuation, exposure control, chemical hygiene, and hazard communication
- Directs and supervises multi-campus hazardous and infectious waste disposition in accordance with local, state and federal regulations, including spill remediation
- Collects and investigates information pertaining to on-the-job injuries and accidents, including working closely with Human Resources and insurance company representatives on workers compensation claim related issues
- Maintains and enforces the data compliance for hazardous materials, blood-borne pathogens and Chemical Hygiene, including SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for all chemicals stored on the College’s campuses
- Assists and directs various curriculum departments during the accreditation process on a regular basis as it relates to safety procedure requirements and protocol compliance
- Serves as the primary liaison for the College in facilitating the annual safety inspections with Blue Ridge Environmental Health and Safety Institute (EHSI), including follow up and corrective action of inspection findings as it relates to fume hood and eye wash station testing, and proper storage of chemicals
- Serves as the primary liaison in facilitating the college-wide annual building inspections with the NC Department of Public Instruction
- Serves as the primary liaison in facilitating the monthly inspections of campus fire extinguishers
- Builds relationships and serves as the primary liaison with federal, state and local authorities in matters related to environmental health and safety
- Inspects and performs the monthly testing on college-wide exterior lighting, emergency lighting, signage, and other active and passive life safety systems
- Assists Campus Security with maintenance of campus AED (Automated External Defibrillator) units
- Coordinates and conducts emergency evacuation drills for College facilities as assigned
- Develops and facilitates ongoing personal health and wellness initiatives that create awareness, motivation, and resources for employees to help them adapt and maintain well rounded healthy lifestyles
- Studies and attends OSHA training classes as needed in order to ensure compliance with federal, state and local safety regulations
- Manages the campus Safety Committee; holds monthly committee meetings; works with the committee to maintain established safety policies and procedures and updates as required
- Ensures first-aid kits/bags are kept in designated locations and that the supplies remain current
- Coordinates safety trainings to include but not limited to: lock-out tag-out training, Accident and Illness Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hazardous Communications, Uncontrolled Hazardous Energy, Golf Cart Safety, AED/CPR, Fire Extinguisher, Forklift Safety, Ladder Safety, Hearing Conservation, Exposure Control, and Respiratory Protection
- Conducts Job Hazard Analysis and reports findings
- Coordinates the Contractor Safety Program
- Completes injury/incident reports as required; investigate incidents, analyze findings, and determines what corrective and preventative actions can be taken to prevent further injuries/illnesses
- Maintains chemical inventory for compliance purposes
- Serves as the Co-Chair of the Crisis Response Team and provides backup to the Director of Security and Emergency Management in emergency management related situations
- Participates in appropriate committees and task forces as assigned
- Performs other job-related duties and projects as assigned in support of the College’s mission, core values and goals
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
Three (3) years' experience working in environmental health and safety or a closely related field.
Valid NC driver's license.
Candidate must possess or have the ability to obtain necessary certifications as required by federal, state and local laws including OSHA 30 Hour General Industry certification.
Must possess or be willing to acquire and maintain valid CPR, first aid and AED certification.
Preferred:
Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in Environmental Health and Safety or closely related field.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge
- Local, state and federal regulations and guidelines pertaining to environmental health and safety
- Current trends in the field of environmental safety
- Methods and procedures of report preparation and record keeping
- Knowledge of training techniques pertaining to environmental health and safety
- Knowledge of basic principles of industrial hygiene, chemical hazards and reactions, electrical and industrial maintenance processes, and fire prevention
- Extensive knowledge of hazard/risk analysis to apply EPA, OSHA, and NFPA regulations to address moderate to highly complex health/safety issues
- Local, state and federal regulations and guidelines pertaining to emergency and disaster planning, preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation
Skills- Excellent planning, organization, communication, presentation, negotiation, training, and interpersonal skills
- Evaluating levels of hazard or risk
- Conflict management and resolution skills
- Word processing software including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Complex problem solving skills to identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
- Excellent public speaking skills
- Effective critical thinking, judgement and decision making skills
Abilities- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
- Maintain poise and make prompt and sound decisions in crisis situations
- Handle confidential information with absolute discretion
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; demonstrated ability to work effectively with a culturally diverse workforce and student body, including those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities, and socioeconomic levels
