JOB SUMMARY
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Safety, the Director provides strategic leadership and is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of comprehensive environmental health and safety programs and policies for the University of Connecticut’s Storrs, regional campuses, and Law School. The Director leads the Department supported by a staff of about 25 to advance the health and safety of the University Community and promote University-wide compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and nationally recognized standards.
The Director works with University leadership to identify and assess environmental health and safety risks and assure they are appropriately addressed and monitored to mitigate such risks and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. The Director promotes strong working relationships, communicates effectively, and maintains the credibility of the organization with key stakeholders and all members of the University community. Furthermore, the Director has an institute-wide impact through the participation on various committees including: Environmental Health and Safety (EHSC), Institutional Biosafety (IBC), Radiation Safety, Laser Safety, Chemical Hygiene (CHC), and University Compliance. The Director serves as University liaison with more than 10 cognizant regulatory agencies and interacts with national, state, and local organizations and the media regarding environmental health and safety issues. This position provides oversight and control of the EHS annual budget of over $4 million including: operations expenditures, staff salaries, staff development, service and maintenance contracts, equipment and material purchases, and EHS facilities maintenance. The Director fosters professional advancement and enhanced engagement opportunities for the EHS staff to support staff expertise, resourcefulness, teamwork, respect, and diversity.
UConn is one of the top public universities in the nation and has stood as the top public university in New England for 19 consecutive years. UConn is comprised of the main campus located in Storrs with regional campuses and a Law School in Greater Hartford, Waterbury, Avery Point, and Stamford. The University spans over 4,000 acres at its main and regional campuses. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive program that combines training, consultation, control, and inspection to protect the health and safety of all personnel in the course of University sanctioned activities and ensure environmental compliance. EHS staff provides professional services to measure and evaluate hazards to which the University community may be exposed and ensure compliance with regulations and University policies.
The mission of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety is to support and promote a culture of safety, environmental protection, and compliance at the University by providing leadership in the identification and management of safety, health, and environmental risks. EHS administers comprehensive programs and services that ensure the welfare of our faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the environment, supporting the University’s mission of research, teaching, service, and outreach. The Department is comprised of 6 key program areas:
Biological Health and Safety manages activities related to Biosafety, Animal Handler, and Public Health programs. The Biosafety programs involve program development and implementation, laboratory/facility registration/audit, risk assessment, training, and biosecurity. The Animal Handler Program is responsible for the safety and health of personnel working with animals. The Public Health programs involve the administration of the state public health code regarding food safety, drinking and recreational water quality, and public health issues related to University housing.
Chemical Health and Safety provides services designed to limit the risks of exposure during the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and regulated materials in research and teaching laboratories. They manage regulated waste that is generated by research labs and University support services and maintain a regulated waste storage facility. Their major chemical safety responsibilities include laboratory safety inspections, training, chemical inventory management, oversight of the use of controlled substances, and chemical fume hood evaluations.
Environmental Programs fosters environmental stewardship through consultation and collaboration with stakeholders and regulators. They help ensure compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations for the University’s programs, projects, policies, and daily activities. They promote "green" campus initiatives, energy and water conservation, and environmental literacy.
Radiation Safety manages the radiation license for the University with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Through training and inspections of laboratories, they maintain controls on the use of radioactive materials, the disposal of radioactive waste, and the use of X-ray and laser equipment. They monitor radiation contamination of facilities and human exposure to radiation.
Occupational Health and Safety administers most other employee health and safety issues regulated by OSHA, EPA, and CT DPH. They develop policies and programs, conduct training, and perform inspections covering a broad range of safety topics including: Asbestos, Confined Space Entry, Electrical Safety, Ergonomics, Hazard Communication, Indoor Air Quality, Machine and Vehicle Safety, Lead, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout, Noise, Trenching/Excavation & Fall Protection. Occupational areas covered include the maintenance, custodial, and construction trades; technical fields; shops and art studios; dining, farm, animal care, and protective services; and office and administrative areas.
EHS Operations provides cross-disciplinary and operational program support for the Department and University community. This unit comprises the Training Development, Outreach, and Injury and Illness Prevention programs as well as research and general EHS program support services.
For additional information about the University of Connecticut or the Department of Environmental Health and Safety visit: www.uconn.edu or www.ehs.uconn.edu
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in environmental health and safety, occupational health and safety, environmental science, public health, or another closely related discipline.
- Ten years of professional experience in one of the above listed disciplines, including five years in a leadership position directing or managing a multi-faceted environmental health and safety program in an academic research setting or comparable organization.
- Professional certification in one or more of the environmental health and safety disciplines, i.e., Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP), Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
- Thorough knowledge of governmental regulations, applicable laws, and nationally recognized standards and guidelines related to environmental health and safety.
- Substantive expertise and experience in the evaluation and control of hazards commonly found in a large campus or multi-facility environment.
- Substantive experience developing environmental health and safety programs.
- Effective written and oral communication skills, including proficiency in risk communication and media relations.
- Interpersonal skills that promote building strong working relationships.
- Ability to interact with colleagues in a positive and constructive manner.
- Proven take-charge leadership style which encourages and supports the development and implementation of staff initiatives to enhance the profile of the department.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with administrators, faculty members, and staff.
- Abilities in sound fiscal, operational, and personnel management.
- Ability to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours, as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctoral degree or equivalent in appropriate environmental health and safety discipline.
- Managerial degree, executive management certificate, or other leadership development experience, preferably EHS program management or a related field.
- Demonstrated capabilities in strategic planning, program design and development, team building, and training.
- Experience working in a unionized environment.
- Experience working in a university setting in a position related to environmental health & safety.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, 12-month permanent position with a comprehensive fringe benefits package. The final salary will be commensurate with experience.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff positions, Search #497201. For full consideration, candidates must submit a cover letter that describes how you meet or possess the minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications, resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 1, 2023.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.
The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.