Director of Environmental Health & Safety

State University of New York at Oswego

Director of Environmental Health & Safety

The Facilities Services Department at the State University of New York at Oswego invites applications to fill a full time Director of Environmental Health and Safety.

Posting Date: May 2, 2023

Review Date: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Bargaining Unit: United University Professions (UUP)

Salary Grade: SL-5

Compensation: $60,000 - $110,000; commensurate with experience plus full New York State benefits package.

Benefit Information: The State University of New York provides an excellent benefit package. For more information, visit: https://www.suny.edu/benefits/benefit-summaries/

Date of Appointment: As soon as possible (or for Faculty will be date of obligation)

Description of Responsibilities:

• The Environmental Health and Safety Officer will supervise and identify the need for monitoring, on a continued basis, for hazards associate with toxic atmospheres, chemicals, flammable liquids, radiation, etc.;
• Inspect and determine that available life safety devices such as fume hoods, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors are in proper supply and working condition;
• Review plans and blueprints to ensure that campus planning personnel are in compliance with all pertinent building codes and safety regulations during the planning of new construction and rehabilitation of existing facilities or in the lease or purchase of off-campus facilities;
• Manage, plan, schedule, participate in, and assume the overall responsibility for all safety and safety related inspections of buildings, maintenance operations, dormitories, laboratories, and research areas, construction and facilities rehabilitation sites, storage areas, etc. for the purpose of detecting and appraising unsafe conditions or activities;
• Direct the investigation of accidents, fires, incidents involving hazardous chemicals and any other environmental or safety related concerns;
• Prepares information for presentation to University Management and in Civil Courts in cooperation with the Attorney General's Office if required;
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate safety training programs for faculty, staff, and students such as Right To Know/Hazard Communication, techniques in hazardous materials handling, hazardous waste management, machine and tool safety, laboratory and chemical safety, the general subjects of fire prevention and occupational and environmental hygiene;
• Such responsibilities would also include the composition of training and reference manuals;
• Recommend renovation and/or maintenance projects to improve safety in work, research, and living areas;
• Actively participate in University safety related committees such as Campus Safety Committee, Radiation Safety Committee, and Research Safety Committee.

SUNY Oswego works continuously to create an inclusive environment which respects, embraces, and promotes cultural safety, belonging, civil discourse, cultural humility, and other values and goals outlined in SUNY Oswego's Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan. As such, the incumbent is expected to contribute to these efforts and possess communication and interpersonal skills necessary to engage effectively with an increasingly diverse community of students and colleagues.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in industrial hygiene or the physical sciences. Three years’ experience as an environmental health and safety professional.
• Demonstrated knowledge and 7 or more years of job-related experience in operational management, human resources, or event management;
• Knowledge and experience in sustainable operations
• Knowledge of Federal and State human resource management laws and regulations;
• Five or more years of leading and supervising professional and classified staff;
• Experience managing budgets and training personnel;
• Experience working with shared leadership via cross-functional teams;
• Able to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; 
• Valid New York State Driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate Degree in industrial hygiene or one of the physical sciences. Five years’ experience as an environmental health and safety professional.

At SUNY Oswego we value the diversity found in each member of our campus community and strive to create a community where that diversity is embraced and enhanced. Recognizing the strength of diversity, our mission is to foster an environment which respects, embraces and promotes cultural competence, civil discourse and active engagement in developing an inclusive and vibrant community of scholars who act as transformational agents of change and responsible citizens of the world. For more information see SUNY Oswego's Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan (https://www.oswego.edu/diversity/).

As a candidate seeking consideration you are asked to submit a separate statement specifically addressing how your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has been evidenced in your career experience and professional activity, and/or community service (volunteer work, etc.), and/or professional development. (Please see Application Instructions)

To Apply Submit: 

1. Cover letter addressing qualifications
2. A separate statement describing your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in your professional experience or personal life or community engagement 
3. Resume or CV
4. Contact information for three professional references

Electronically To: http://oswego.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=161876

Candidates are required to submit all application documents listed under "To Apply Submit" be uploaded before you can submit your application for consideration. Your application will only be accessible for consideration once all required documents have been submitted.

Official transcripts are required at time of appointment. Visa sponsorship not available for this position

Files must be complete to be considered.

If you have any questions about the position, please e-mail:

Kathrine Spector, Search Chair at kathrine.spector@oswego.edu

Description of Department:

The Facilities Services department is comprised of four integrated and allied units. These are the Environmental Health and Safety Office, the Sustainability Office, the Facilities Management Department(s), and the Facilities Operations Department(s). Facilities Services staff comprises nearly 300 fulltime employees and an additional 50 to 100 seasonal employees with and yearly operating budget of $14.0m. This budget is primarily dedicated to the maintenance and repair of the University’s existing buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, the Department oversees the University’s annual Capital Renewal with an average annual investment of ~$30 million dollars. 

Environmental Health & Safety Office plays a vital role in supporting both the Department and University. EHS has a staff of 4 full time and seasonal staff with and yearly operation budget of $300K. Its mission is to ensure university compliance with all applicable codes rules and regulations. It is also responsible to educate students, faculty, and staff on best practices regarding occupational safety and hygiene, fire prevention and safety, life safety and building codes. The office works across all divisions and touches all aspects of the University.

Description of SUNY Oswego: Founded in 1861, SUNY Oswego is a public comprehensive university located in Central New York on the beautiful shores of Lake Ontario, 45 minutes from Syracuse. One of 13 comprehensive colleges and universities in the 64-campus State University of New York (SUNY) system, SUNY Oswego is recognized nationally for its academic quality, focus on student success outcomes, and the growing diversity of its student body. Ranked among the top public master’s-level universities in the 2023 “Top Regional Universities in the North” by U.S. News and World Report, SUNY Oswego is also recognized among Princeton Review’s Best Regional Colleges in the Northeast – an honor bestowed on the SUNY Oswego every year since 2003.

Inspired by a shared commitment to excellence and the desire to transcend traditional higher education boundaries, SUNY Oswego provides a transformative experience to about 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university offers preeminent academic programs in the arts and sciences, business, communications, and teacher education, and its success is built on providing students outstanding educational experiences with attention to a liberal arts and sciences foundation, practical applications, interdisciplinary approaches, independent scholarly and creative work, and skills for living in multicultural and global communities.

Additional information about SUNY Oswego can be found at www.oswego.edu.

Oswego is committed to enhancing its diversity. SUNY Oswego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is actively engaged in recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students. We encourage applications from qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim SUNY status, or criminal conviction. Please see our full non-discrimination policy https://www.oswego.edu/human-resources/non-discrimination-policy

In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to work in the United States per the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Requests for reasonable accommodations of a disability during the application and/or interview process should be made to the Human Resources Office by calling 315-312-2230 or emailing hr@oswego.edu.

For Campus Safety information, please see the Annual Security and Fire Report (Clery): https://www.oswego.edu/police/annual-report.

SUNY Oswego is a smoke free/tobacco/e-cigarette free campus. Further policy details, including education and cessation resources, can be found at: https://www.oswego.edu/human-resources/sites/human-resources/files/tobacco_smoke_free_policy_final.pdf

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.