Associate Director, Academic & Research Safety

CSU Careers•San José, CA

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Health & Safety, the Associate Director of Academic & Research Safety leads the development, administration, and continuous improvement of environmental health and safety programs supporting academic instruction, research, and laboratory operations across San José State University. The role provides strategic and operational oversight of laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety, hazardous materials management, and related compliance programs; serves as the Campus Biosafety Officer; and directly supervises professional staff. As a primary campus resource and advisor, the position partners with faculty, researchers, campus leaders, and regulatory agencies to strengthen safety culture, manage risk, and maintain regulatory compliance. The position develops and improves safety policies, procedures, guidance, and training; oversees Biological Use Authorization and the campus biosafety program; and chairs or supports the Institutional Biosafety Committee and related committees. It directs inspections, audits, hazard assessments, incident investigations, and industrial hygiene reviews, and advises on laboratory operations, regulated materials, laboratory design, and renovations. The role also manages laboratory registration, biosafety cabinet certification tracking, hazardous material inventory review, and regulated waste compliance; ensures compliance with applicable requirements; coordinates responses to incidents and emergencies; and supervises and develops assigned staff. The job posting also states that employment requires a satisfactory background check and evidence of required degrees or certifications at hire. The position is subject to applicable university reporting obligations, including mandated-reporter responsibilities and possible Campus Security Authority designation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Biological Sciences, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, or a directly related field.
Five years of professional work experience associated with progressively responsible management of multifaceted environmental health and safety programs in a large, complex organization.
Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental health and safety regulations applicable to a university environment in California.
Strong knowledge of biosafety, chemical hygiene, hazardous materials management, construction safety, and related regulatory requirements in institutional settings.
Ability to develop, implement, assess, and improve environmental health and safety programs, policies, procedures, and compliance strategies.
Ability to conduct inspections, audits, hazard assessments, investigations, and program evaluations to identify risks and improve compliance.
Ability to interpret technical regulations and documents, determine applicability, and develop practical compliance steps.
Ability to develop and deliver effective safety training and outreach for faculty, staff, students, and researchers.
Knowledge of personnel management, performance management, coaching, dispute resolution, team development, and supervisory best practices.
Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and develop sound recommendations.
Ability to communicate effectively, build collaborative relationships, and serve as a primary liaison with campus stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
Ability to responsibly evaluate and apply emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in alignment with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD in Environmental Health & Safety, Biology, Chemistry, Toxicology, or a directly related field.
Designation as a Board Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) by the California Department of Public Health, or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
Supervisory experience within a collective bargaining and represented staff environment.
Experience managing a broad spectrum of environmental health and safety programs typical of a college or university, or another large-scale, multifacility complex organization.

Responsibilities

Lead environmental health and safety programs supporting academic and research operations, including laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety, hazardous materials management, and related compliance activities.
Serve as Campus Biosafety Officer and oversee implementation and administration of the campus biosafety program.
Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve laboratory and research safety policies, procedures, guidance documents, and training programs.
Oversee Biological Use Authorization processes and provide technical guidance on biological agents, recombinant DNA, human materials, toxins, select agents, and other regulated materials.
Chair or support the Institutional Biosafety Committee and related campus committees to advance laboratory and research safety compliance.
Direct laboratory inspections, audits, hazard assessments, incident investigations, and industrial hygiene reviews; identify root causes and recommend hazard-reduction measures.
Collaborate with faculty, principal investigators, academic departments, and research programs to identify hazards, implement risk controls, and support safe research operations.
Manage laboratory registration, biosafety cabinet certification tracking, hazardous material inventory review, regulated waste compliance, and laboratory design or renovation safety consultation.
Ensure compliance with applicable Cal/OSHA, CDC, NIH, EPA, DOT, USDA, IATA, and other federal, state, and local requirements.
Coordinate responses to laboratory incidents, spills, exposures, and emergencies.
Supervise and develop assigned staff; set performance expectations and coordinate resources.
Contribute to Environmental Health & Safety strategic planning, metrics, service improvements, and emergency response readiness.