Executive Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Executive Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Requisition ID: 2026-10255

# of Openings: 1

Location: US-UT-Logan

Category: Other

Position Type: Benefited Full-Time

Job Classification: Exempt

College: Research

Department: Environmental Health & Safety

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. USU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous annual and sick leave; a strong retirement planning package; employee tuition benefit; and access to world-class recreation in the Cache Valley.

Overview

Utah State University is seeking a collaborative, highly experienced, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Executive Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). This role provides strategic direction and operational oversight for comprehensive EHS programs at one of the Mountain West's flagship land-grant universities - a community of over 27,000 students, 4,000+ employees, and research and diverse research, teaching, and extension operations spanning the state.

The Executive Director will drive comprehensive university-wide efforts in environmental stewardship, occupational health, safety, and regulatory compliance. They will actively cultivate a culture safety and drive implementation of innovative solutions that ensure a secure, sustainable, supportive, and compliant environment where every member of the Aggie community can work, study, and thrive.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership to the EHS department, including hiring, mentoring, and managing a multidisciplinary team of safety professionals
• Oversee all regulatory compliance programs (e.g. OSHA, EPA, DOT, NRC, and applicable state and local requirements); monitor emerging legislative and regulatory needs and ensure timely integration into university programs and infrastructure
• Direct core EHS programs with a forward-thinking approach to safety program development and growth, including laboratory safety, radiation safety, biosafety, hazardous waste management, industrial hygiene, and chemical safety
• Serve as primary liaison to federal and state regulatory agencies and maintain positive working relationships with pertinent regulatory entities.
• Lead the development, interpretation, and implementation of EHS policies, procedures, and programs university-wide; manage audits, inspections, corrective action plans, and other appropriate monitoring initiatives
• Integrate EHS considerations into research administration, facilities planning, capital construction, and emergency management
• Coordinate with Logan City, North Logan City, and USU police, fire, and emergency personnel to ensure a comprehensive and integrated response to hazardous incidents on university property
• Develop and champion a university-wide safety culture through training, accident investigation, communication, and shared accountability; exhibit calm decision-making skills in high-pressure environments leading to strong safety outcomes for the campus community
• Lead or provide expert guidance for university EHS advisory and administrative committees; ensure documentation of activities and provide regular reporting to university leadership
• Prepare and steward the EHS departmental budget; identify resource needs and advocate effectively for program investments
• Ensure effective EHS support for distributed operations, including Statewide, agricultural, extension, and field-based research activities across the state
• Collaborate with General Counsel, Risk Management, Facilities, Public Safety, and Research leadership on matters involving liability, insurance, incidents, and campus safety
• Report to the Vice President for Research and present to university leadership as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Public Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field
• Leadership Experience: 7 - 10 years of progressive, professional EHS experience
• Regulatory Knowledge: Broad technical EHS background spanning laboratory safety, occupational health, and OSHA compliance
• Management: Demonstrated ability to empower and develop technical, professional, and administrative staff; build trust across a diverse institution; and foster a collaborative safety culture
• Communication: Exceptional communication skills with high integrity - able to set clear goals, engage transparently, and maintain accountability at all levels

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant discipline
• 10+ years of progressive, professional EHS experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role
• Experience in higher education or a research-intensive university environment
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or equivalent professional credential
• Research safety background, including familiarity with NIH, NSF, or other federal research compliance frameworks
• Experience with biosafety and radiation safety programs; awareness of emerging biosafety needs (e.g., veterinary or agricultural research settings)
• Familiarity with agricultural and land-grant university operations and their unique safety contexts
• Experience effectively leveraging and developing associate directors and senior staff to maximize team capacity
• Track record of building EHS program visibility and elevating the department's role within a large institution
• Demonstrated experience encouraging the professional development of early-career safety professionals

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV"
2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
3. Name and contact information (including email) of three professional references to be entered at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

If a minimum or preferred qualification is not represented in your resume, please use the cover letter as an opportunity to demonstrate that qualification or characteristic. Review of applications begins May 21, 2026. Position open until filled.