Director of Environmental Health and Safety

Florida State University seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the new Director of Environmental Health and Safety. 

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Facilities, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety will share a vision, engage cross-functional leadership and continually innovate to achieve a culture of excellence in campus safety.

The Director of Environmental Health and Safety serves as a member of the Facilities Department's senior management team and is responsible for providing direction and leadership in the administration, personnel, budgetary and legal requirements of the University's Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), including the program areas of Building Code, Risk Management, Insurance, Industrial Hygiene, Biological Safety, Chemical Safety, Laboratory Safety, Radiation Safety, Emergency Management, Environmental Compliance, Building Safety, Fire Safety/Systems, and Training.  Across these functional areas, the Director is responsible for the overall supervision, leadership, direction, and coordination of approximately 35 FTE at full capacity.

The Director performs work with broad managerial and strategic responsibilities of considerable difficulty in planning, organizing, directing, and advancing the culture of safety across the university. They evaluate University health, safety and environmental policies and programs to prevent injuries and accidents and adverse environmental impacts ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. This role serves as the principle EHS technical operations representative with campus departments and local, state and federal officials involved with areas of health, safety and environmental compliance. The Director will ensure University operations are in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental health and safety codes and regulations that apply.

FSU Facilities is developing new Strategic Plans on how to best serve and support the new Transformed Campus that will emerge in the coming years. Creative forward visioning and engagement from the Director will be critical to creating, embracing, and leading these strategic plans. This is particularly important as FSU is committed to growing its $300 million enterprise, including its research centers, programs, and institutes.

 Specific responsibilities include: 

• Lead and Inspire the EH&S Team to develop new creative approaches to become a Leader in Higher Education EH&S
• Directing the development, review and implementation of strategic plans and initiatives for EH&S.
• Directing audit and inspections of University entities to ensure compliance with regulations and policy while continually assessing the potential for quality and customer service improvements.
• Serving as the University liaison with Federal, State and Local authorities in matters related to EH&S programs.
• Reviewing research proposals to ensure that adequate life safety protections are in place and in compliance with Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Participating in the design, development and/or presentation of training programs and courses, and other presentations in support of University and departmental mandates and requirements.
• Provide Creative Leadership as a key member of the FSU Facilities Leadership Team including proposing, researching, and developing creative, resourceful solutions for a forward thinking campus, not only in EH&S but across all Facilities.

 Qualifications

The Director will have compelling leadership, management, and collaboration qualities and preferably experience working with executive management and governance boards. They will have the highest level of integrity and will demonstrate a track record of developing, mentoring, and supporting diverse and high-functioning teams and provide equitable and inclusive working environments to the staff they supervise and the faculty, staff, and students they work with. 

Experience candidates bring to the team:

• Knowledge of local, state, national, environmental hazardous waste, occupational health and safety laws, regulations, and compliance strategies.
• Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes as well as substantive experience with enforcement and compliance auditing processes of regulatory agencies.
• Knowledge of responsibility of the Responsible Official and all aspects of regulatory compliance outlined in the specifications. 
• Knowledge of environmental policy and research services.
• Knowledge of budget, management, formulation and execution; cost benefit analysis and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of environmental science, research techniques, field monitoring protocols, methods and equipment.
• Knowledge of operating a service-orientated organization.
• Knowledge of Florida statutes, University and Board of Governor’s policies and regulations.
• Skill in implementing preventative and remedial strategies for a variety of environmental and occupational health and safety problems.
• Skill in understanding and interpreting complex data, statutes, guidelines, and regulations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in writing technical reports and grants; negotiating and administering contracts with professional consultants and contractors.
• Skill in effectively managing, supervising, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Ability to think critically, problem solve effectively and recommend strategically about health and safety risks and compliance issues.
• Ability to listen carefully, communicate effectively both in writing and verbally, and establish strong and effective working relationships with a broad variety of clients and stakeholders.
• Able to multi-task and work under pressure and in emergencies.
• Able to Envision and Implement Imaginative Creative Strategic Plans not only for EH&S but also for all FSU Facilities
• Able to Effectively Communicate with their EH&S team, the larger Facilities Team, and the greater FSU Campus.

 Demonstrated relevant environmental health and safety experience with large, matrixed, and highly complicated organization(s) is required.  Preference will be given to candidates with at least ten years of experience in the field of environmental health and safety and five years of supervision and management experience.  A bachelor's degree in a related field is required and relevant EHS licensure is preferred. Experience in a college, university or similar educational institution is preferred.

 To Apply

Florida State University has retained Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Katie Dean, Associate Partner; and Chris Stadler, Associate, are leading the search.  Applications and nominations should be sent by email to: chris.stadler@opuspartners.net.  Applications should include a cover letter and resume that should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Florida State University (University) is an equal opportunity employer and educational provider committed to a policy of non-discrimination for any member of the University's community on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veterans' status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other legally protected group status. This policy applies to faculty, staff, students, visitors, applicants, and contractors in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, orders, and University policies, procedures, and processes. FSU’s Equal Opportunity Statement can be viewed by clicking here.

FSU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check. This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.