Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Company: Society for Conservation Biology
Location: Washington
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Please see Special Instructions for more details.Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa statusI. JOB OVERVIEWJob Description Summary:The Director, Environmental Health & Safety oversees the plan, design, policy development, implementation, and management of programs addressing occupational safety, environmental safety, industrial hygiene concerns, chemical waste management and fire life safety regulations. The mission of Environmental Health and Safety is to collaborate with George Washington University campus community to ensure the university complies with occupational safety, environmental safety, laboratory biological and chemical safety, and fire and life safety regulations. The position is the principal AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) and manages the day to day activities of the Fire Marshal. This position reports directly to the Assistant Vice President, University Resilience.

The incumbent works collaboratively with staff, academic administrators, and faculty to support academic and research excellence while developing and sustaining a culture of safety in compliance with regulatory agencies. Given the many close connections and strong working relationships among these areas, this organizational structure streamlines university services, increases shared insights and collaboration, and optimizes GW resources.

This position provides leadership and support to the Environmental Health and Safety team and to university departments on regulatory compliance issues involving safety. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the Biological Safety Level 3 facility and the select agent program. Direct supervision is provided to the Assistant Director/Fire Marshal and Environmental Health and Safety Technicians and Specialists.

Supporting the Director, Environmental Health & Safety in this role is a team of six, including an Assistant Director/Fire Marshal, 3 environmental health and safety ( EHS ) specialists and 2 EHS Technicians.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In partnership with University administrators and their departments, develop a customer-focused service environment.
• Direct and support a high-impact and metric-based environmental health and safety program and ensures that it is communicated, embraced, and enforced.
• Develop and maintain active partnerships with academic and administrative departments across the University to ensure that safety and regulatory compliance requirements are met.
• Ensure access to environmental health and safety resources, timely consultative assistance, management of hazardous substances, and facilitation of prevention efforts.
• Serve as the University's responsible official and primary interface with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for university units and projects relating to programs and services provided by Environmental Health & Safety.
• Respond to Indoor Air Quality ( IAQ ) concerns in campus buildings. Provide expert assessment and recommendations for mitigation and report findings to Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management ( FPCM ) leadership.
• Provide expert guidance and assistance relating to design and construction of projects as they relate to fire, life safety, EPA and OSHA .
• Accompany inspectors or vendors on inspections and campus work and provide access to necessary buildings and equipment.
• Serve as Chair of the campus safety committee.
• Identify, evaluate, and analyze risks inherent in the operation of the University.
• Monitor the university's operations to provide early and accurate identification of rising levels of risk and, in conjunction with management, ensure that prompt action is taken where needed to minimize loss.
• Create a positive, productive, and engaged work environment, incorporating the University's commitment to equal opportunity and diversity empowering employees to use their full range of talents and abilities.
• Provide leadership to all environmental health and safety staff.
• Develop, direct, and conduct university-wide environmental and occupational training, and fire safety education programs.
• In coordination with Facilities, Planning, Construction & Management ( FPCM ) researches, evaluate and interprets safety standards and building codes established by the District of Columbia, Loudoun County, federal government, and similarly recognized regulatory agencies.
• Perform investigations and documents all accidents and incidents that involve environmental and occupational health safety, fire safety, and bio security violations, or potential safety violations. Make recommendations for corrective actions, and ensures implementation of corrective actions.
• Act as and/or manage the safety on-call program, providing 24--7 coverage for the University, including the medical school, university laboratories, research centers and any other campus locations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.Please see Special Instructions for more details.Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa statusI. JOB OVERVIEWJob Description Summary:The Director, Environmental Health & Safety oversees the plan, design, policy development, implementation, and management of programs addressing occupational safety, environmental safety, industrial hygiene concerns, chemical waste management and fire life safety regulations. The mission of Environmental Health and Safety is to collaborate with George Washington University campus community to ensure the university complies with occupational safety, environmental safety, laboratory biological and chemical safety, and fire and life safety regulations. The position is the principal AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) and manages the day to day activities of the Fire Marshal. This position reports directly to the Assistant Vice President, University Resilience.
  
  The incumbent works collaboratively with staff, academic administrators, and faculty to support academic and research excellence while developing and sustaining a culture of safety in compliance with regulatory agencies. Given the many close connections and strong working relationships among these areas, this organizational structure streamlines university services, increases shared insights and collaboration, and optimizes GW resources.
  
  This position provides leadership and support to the Environmental Health and Safety team and to university departments on regulatory compliance issues involving safety. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the Biological Safety Level 3 facility and the select agent program. Direct supervision is provided to the Assistant Director/Fire Marshal and Environmental Health and Safety Technicians and Specialists.
  
  Supporting the Director, Environmental Health & Safety in this role is a team of six, including an Assistant Director/Fire Marshal, 3 environmental health and safety ( EHS ) specialists and 2 EHS Technicians.
  
  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  
  
  • In partnership with University administrators and their departments, develop a customer-focused service environment.
  • Direct and support a high-impact and metric-based environmental health and safety program and ensures that it is communicated, embraced, and enforced.
  • Develop and maintain active partnerships with academic and administrative departments across the University to ensure that safety and regulatory compliance requirements are met.
  • Ensure access to environmental health and safety resources, timely consultative assistance, management of hazardous substances, and facilitation of prevention efforts.
  • Serve as the University's responsible official and primary interface with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
  • Serve as a subject matter resource for university units and projects relating to programs and services provided by Environmental Health & Safety.
  • Respond to Indoor Air Quality ( IAQ ) concerns in campus buildings. Provide expert assessment and recommendations for mitigation and report findings to Facilities Planning, Construction, and Management ( FPCM ) leadership.
  • Provide expert guidance and assistance relating to design and construction of projects as they relate to fire, life safety, EPA and OSHA .
  • Accompany inspectors or vendors on inspections and campus work and provide access to necessary buildings and equipment.
  • Serve as Chair of the campus safety committee.
  • Identify, evaluate, and analyze risks inherent in the operation of the University.
  • Monitor the university's operations to provide early and accurate identification of rising levels of risk and, in conjunction with management, ensure that prompt action is taken where needed to minimize loss.
  • Create a positive, productive, and engaged work environment, incorporating the University's commitment to equal opportunity and diversity empowering employees to use their full range of talents and abilities.
  • Provide leadership to all environmental health and safety staff.
  • Develop, direct, and conduct university-wide environmental and occupational training, and fire safety education programs.
  • In coordination with Facilities, Planning, Construction & Management ( FPCM ) researches, evaluate and interprets safety standards and building codes established by the District of Columbia, Loudoun County, federal government, and similarly recognized regulatory agencies.
  • Perform investigations and documents all accidents and incidents that involve environmental and occupational health safety, fire safety, and bio security violations, or potential safety violations. Make recommendations for corrective actions, and ensures implementation of corrective actions.
  • Act as and/or manage the safety on-call program, providing 24--7 coverage for the University, including the medical school, university laboratories, research centers and any other campus locations.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
    This position is designated on-site, performing essential core safety and operational functions and typically need to be on campus even when access to campus is restricted. (For example: these employees reported to work daily throughout the pandemic - lab personnel, EHS staff, police officers, facilities staff among.)Minimum Qualifications:Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:Preferred Qualifications:
    • A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, or a related safety field is preferred.
    • Work experience in environmental health and safety, hazardous materials response, risk management, emergency management, or fire service, and five years supervisory experience is preferred.
    • Experience in a leadership and management role overseeing diverse, technical personnel is preferred.
    • Experience working in an academic setting or complex, multisite operation is preferred.
    • Ability to foster a cooperative work environmental and work proactively with faculty, students, staff, administrative officers and representatives of local community at large, as well as with representatives of governmental agencies as needed.
    • Valid Driver's License preferred.
    • Certified Safety Professional ( CSP ) or Certified Industrial Hygienist ( CIH ) or Certified Safety & Health Manager ( CSHM ) preferred.
    • Working knowledge of applicable safety and environmental health laws and regulations as imposed by OSHA , EPA , NFPA and other agencies as needed, and skill in performing inspections and ensuring compliance with same.
    • Ability to develop and implement training programs, procedures, and documentation of same to meet regulatory agency requirements for faculty, staff and students.
      PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
      The following characteristics are preferred:
      
      
      • Commitment to GW's values.
      • Intellectual, professional and a person of integrity.
      • Honest, with the highest ethical standards.
      • Passionate, collaborative, strategic, and smart with a hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves orientation.
      • Ability to work independently. Self-starter; hard-worker. Takes the initiative; very high energy.
      • Personally accountable. Assumes ownership, control, and accountability for all areas of responsibility and commitments made to others.
      • Sincere, open, and direct communicator. Puts organizational interests above self- interests and is comfortable expressing candid opinions.
      • Highest levels of responsiveness.
      • Combination of strong intellect that is combined with a practical and realistic common sense understanding of how to get things done.
      • Ability to demonstrate initiative, a strong desire to succeed and exert extraordinary effort.
      • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high growth, entrepreneurial environment.
      • Ability to work with faculty and staff in a respectful way.
      • Establish trust and credibility with institutional leadership and across the University.
      • Seeks "win-win" solutions to help foster continued integration and collaboration.
      • Flexible and receptive to change.
      • Responsive to after-hours calls from associates and other colleagues.GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.II. JOB DETAILSCampus Location:Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.College/School/Department:College/School/Department: Division of Safety and OperationFamilyFamily Safety and FacilitiesSub-FamilySub-Family Safety and Emergency ResponseStreamStream ManagementLevelLevel Level 3Full-Time/Part-Time:Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-TimeHours Per Week: 40Work Schedule:Work Schedule: Typically Monday- FridayWill this job require the employee to work on site?Will this job require the employee to work on site? YesEmployee Onsite StatusTelework:Telework: NoRequired Background Check:Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry SearchSpecial Instructions to Applicants:Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa statusInternal Applicants Only?Internal Applicants Only? NoPosting Number:Posting Number: S013711Job Open Date:Job Open Date: 05/15/2025Job Close Date:If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.EEO Statement:The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.Posting Specific QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
        • * Are you currently employed with The George Washington University?
          • No
          • Yes
          • * For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder,employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)
            • Yes, IEP complete
            • No, still in IEP
            • N/a - not a current GW employee
            • * What is your expected salary range?(Open Ended Question)Documents needed to ApplyRequired Documents
            • ResumeOptional Documents
            • Cover LetterHuman Resource
              Management & Development
              
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Keywords: Society for Conservation Biology, Chantilly , Director, Environmental Health & Safety, Executive , Washington, Virginia