About Occidental College
Founded in 1887, Occidental is a nationally recognized, private
college of the liberal arts and sciences, dedicated to providing a
gifted and diverse group of students with a total educational
experience of the highest quality -- one that prepares them for
leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and
pluralistic world.
What makes Occidental special? An intellectually rigorous academic
environment. Small classroom settings where students collaborate
with professors and their peers while pursuing or discovering their
passion. A beautiful residential campus that offers students
hands-on engagement with the cultural and intellectual resources of
Los Angeles. A community open to stimulating conversation and
divergent points of view. Some 2,100 students from 46 states and 28
countries choose from 41 majors and minors and participate in one
the country’s top undergraduate research programs. Oxy students
routinely win top awards and fellowships; its first Rhodes Scholar
was named in 1907. Dedicated to excellence and equity, Occidental
also is one of the country’s most economically diverse campuses,
according to the New York Times. Some 71 percent of Oxy students
receive some form of financial aid; 20 percent are Pell Grant
recipients; and 19 percent are the first in their family to attend
college
Title: Assistant Director, Environmental Health and
Safety
Department: Environmental Health and Safety
Duration: Indefinite
Employment Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Job Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Facilities Management,
the Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety promotes
a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible campus by managing
compliance, training, and risk management programs across academic,
residential, and operational areas. The Assistant Director ensures
compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while
fostering a culture of safety that aligns with the College’s
mission.
Job Duties
35% - EH&S Program Management and Compliance - Develop, implement, and maintain programs to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, Cal/OSHA, CUPA, AQMD, and other applicable regulations. Manage hazardous waste disposal, chemical safety, indoor air quality, and environmental reporting. Maintain accurate records, permits, and documentation for audits and inspections. Direct training for a variety of EH&S programs, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, Hazard Communication, Chemical…
Hygiene Plan, Exposure Control, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, and Respiratory Protection. Oversee the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire and life safety systems, including fire alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems, stored electrical systems, fire hydrants, and wet standpipes. Supervise regular inspections of emergency response equipment to ensure proper function, including emergency showers/eyewash stations, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers. Collaborate with Human Resources to manage ergonomic assessments and disability accommodations for employees. Manage campus mold, lead, and asbestos surveys, records, and abatement efforts. Supervise and direct part-time workers, including student employees. - (Essential)
15% - Training, Outreach, and Education - Develop and
deliver EH&S training for faculty, staff, and students (e.g.,
lab safety, hazardous materials handling, emergency response).
Support departments in understanding and applying safety practices.
Promote a campus-wide culture of safety through education and
effective communication. - (Essential)
15% - Risk Assessment and Incident Response - Conduct
safety inspections, hazard assessments, and job safety analyses.
Lead or assist in the investigation of accidents, incidents, and
near-misses; recommend corrective actions. Serve as a resource for
emergency response planning and drills (e.g., fire, chemical
spills, earthquakes). - (Essential)
15% - Laboratory and Research Safety - Collaborate with
faculty and lab managers to ensure laboratory safety protocols are
established and followed. Manage chemical hygiene plans, fume hood
certifications, and laboratory waste disposal procedures. Support
compliance with Institutional Biosafety and Chemical Hygiene
regulations. - (Essential)
10% - Sustainability, Environmental Stewardship, and Campus
Collaboration - Partner with sustainability and facilities
teams on programs that reduce environmental impact. Support
initiatives such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and green
purchasing. Assist in integrating EH&S principles into broader
campus planning and operations. - (Essential)
5% - Administrative and Reporting Duties - Prepare
reports for internal leadership and regulatory agencies. Maintain
EH&S documentation systems and software platforms. Manage
EH&S budget planning and procurement for safety equipment and
supplies. - (Essential)
5% - Emergency Management and Preparedness - Serve as a
key stakeholder on the College’s Emergency Response Team (ERT),
contributing to preparedness planning and response coordination.
Assist in developing and maintaining emergency plans, business
continuity procedures, and disaster response protocols. Act as the
EH&S representative during emergencies or major incidents -
(Essential)
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology or Industrial Hygiene
or equivalent combination of experience and education.
- FEMA ICS 100 certified.
- HAZWOPER 24-Hour Operations Level certification or higher or
must be obtained within three months of employment.
- Two years of experience in the environmental health field.
- Valid California driver’s license and must be able to maintain
the College’s designated driver status.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel,
PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web
Editing, and social media applications or any combination of
productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough;
skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and
handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
- Strong commitment to a quality work product.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in
writing and electronically.
- Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to
collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
- Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion &
diversity.
- Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work
effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential
environment with multiple and changing priorities.
- Effective organizational, logistical, time management and
planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple
tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions
of an office in a timely manner.
- Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
- Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to
work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines,
levels, and with diverse groups
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in chemistry, Biology or Industrial
Hygiene.
- Advanced FEMA NIMMS training, demonstrating proficiency in
emergency management and response coordination.
EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $70,304/yr-$92,000/yr
If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final
base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such
as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In
addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay
equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees
when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range
mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at
the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for
future and continued salary growth. We also offer a generous
compensation and benefits package.
