Position/Application Information
Facilities and Plant Operations is accepting applications for an Environmental Health/Safety Officer. This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified position. The appointment is available to begin immediately.
At McNeese State University, our mission is to deliver a life-changing higher education experience by fostering a dynamic teaching and learning community committed to excellence with a personal touch. For over eight decades, the institution has been recognized as one of the finest regional universities in the South. McNeese is a dynamic, student-centric university comprised of students from throughout Louisiana, the United States, and over 50 countries.
McNeese offers excellent benefits to include retirement with LASERS, comprehensive insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, accrual of sick and vacation leave, 14 paid holidays per year, tuition reduction program for employees and qualified dependents, and many other supplemental benefit programs.
Facilities and Plant Operations supports the university’s mission by managing environmental health, safety, and hazardous waste programs committed to professional processes maintaining safe, functional, and attractive facilities and grounds while also providing quality support services to the campus community.
Position Number: U99188
Salary:$62,000
Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled.
Application Process and Materials: Applicants MUST complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Three Professional References (Include: name, phone number, and email address)
- Unofficial Transcripts
*Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed.
ALL JOB OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND RECEIPT OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) IF APPLICABLE.
TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY, click on the “APPLY” button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. *Required application materials WILL NOT be accepted after the deadline, if applicable. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIR:
Sawyer Stiller at sstiller@mcneese.edu
Kim Dronett, HR Analyst/Recruitment, kdronett@mcneese.edu or (337) 475-5413
Position Duties/Responsibilities
Job Summary:
The Environmental Health/Safety Officer reports to the Director of Facilities and Plant Operations and is responsible for managing the university’s environmental health, safety, and hazardous waste programs. This position ensures compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations, focusing on mitigating health and environmental risks. Key areas of responsibility include overseeing fire safety systems, fire extinguishers, asbestos management, and hazardous waste. The Officer works with various departments across campus to promote safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
Key responsibilities
Environmental Health and Safety Program Management
- Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) programs to ensure a safe, compliant, and environmentally responsible campus.
- Conduct risk assessments, safety audits, and regular campus inspections to identify potential safety hazards, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Establish and enforce emergency response protocols and safety procedures to support a safe campus environment.
Fire Alarm Panel and Fire Extinguisher Oversight
- Monitor and maintain all fire alarm systems and panels across campus, coordinating with fire safety vendors for inspections, testing, and repairs.
- Develop a fire safety inspection program that includes routine checks on all fire alarm panels to ensure system functionality and compliance.
- Manage the inspection, testing, and maintenance schedule for campus fire extinguishers, ensuring compliance with NFPA 10 standards.
- Coordinate training for faculty, staff, and students on the proper use of fire extinguishers and fire safety protocols.
Hazardous Waste Management
- Oversee the management, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste in compliance with EPA, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and OSHA regulations.
- Develop and enforce procedures for the safe handling, storage, and transportation of hazardous materials.
- Coordinate with approved disposal vendors for hazardous waste removal, maintaining records and documentation of all waste disposal activities.
Asbestos Management
- Serve as the campus Asbestos Manager, responsible for implementing and enforcing the university’s asbestos management plan.
- Conduct asbestos inspections, sampling, and risk assessments in university facilities, ensuring adherence to EPA, OSHA, and DEQ regulations.
- Coordinate asbestos abatement projects, working with certified contractors and monitoring removal and disposal procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and develop and update asbestos management documentation.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, DEQ, and other federal, state, and local regulations related to workplace safety, hazardous waste, fire safety, and asbestos management.
- Prepare, submit, and maintain records for regulatory reports, including fire safety documentation, asbestos compliance records, Tier II reporting, and others as required.
- Keep up-to-date on changes in relevant regulations, ensuring campus policies remain current and compliant.
Campus Training and Education
- Develop and conduct safety training programs on chemical safety, hazardous materials handling, asbestos awareness, and emergency fire response.
- Provide fire safety and asbestos awareness training for faculty, staff, and students, focusing on protocols and preventive measures.
- Create and distribute educational resources to foster a culture of safety and compliance across the campus community.
Incident Response and Investigation
- Act as the lead responder for environmental, health, and safety-related incidents, including hazardous spills, fire safety alarms, and asbestos concerns.
- Investigate incidents, accidents, and near-misses, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence and enhance campus safety.
- Coordinate with emergency responders and relevant university departments for crisis response and incident management.
Environmental Sustainability Initiatives
- Support sustainability initiatives across campus, including waste reduction, energy conservation, and environmental compliance.
- Collaborate with departments to develop programs that reduce environmental impact, in line with local, state, and federal sustainability goals.
Risk Management Liaison
- Collaborate and coordinate with departments that are involved with the Annual Risk Management Audit, ensuring that all departments involved are maintaining the required record keeping needed to successfully pass the audit.
Required/Preferred Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 10 years of experience can be substituted in lieu of degree.
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in environmental health and safety, hazardous waste, and asbestos management, preferably in an academic or institutional setting.
- Certifications: Relevant certifications, such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Asbestos Management Planner, Fire Safety Manager, or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), are strongly preferred.
Skills and Competencies
- Technical Expertise: Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DEQ, NFPA, and other environmental, safety, and fire safety regulations.
- Fire and Safety Systems Management: Proficiency in fire alarm systems, fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance, and fire safety protocols.
- Asbestos Management: Experience managing asbestos-containing materials, with a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements for inspection, documentation, and abatement.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with diverse campus stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical skills to assess risks and implement practical safety solutions.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to perform inspections and assessments in diverse campus facilities, including outdoor and confined spaces.
- Availability for on-call support during emergencies and flexible scheduling for incident management.
