Employee Health & Safety Director - 61051750

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Employee Health and Safety Department is located on the State Health Campus in Cayce, SC—our central hub for collaboration, preparedness, and statewide operations. From this flagship location, the Employee Health & Safety Director plays a vital role in supporting all DPH employees as they serve the people of South Carolina and advance the department’s mission to build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities. In this role, you will apply deep expertise in occupational health, regulatory compliance, and risk management to lead programs that protect and strengthen a complex, public-facing workforce. This position is critical to enhancing employee well-being, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting the department’s public health–related readiness and response capabilities. You will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership while championing a proactive, prevention-focused culture of safety—empowering the DPH workforce and helping shape a healthier future for South Carolina.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety management, environmental health, public health, nursing, or related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive occupational health and safety leadership experience
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Experience managing immunization and vaccination compliance programs
• Strong knowledge of OSHA and workplace safety regulations
• Demonstrated experience in risk management and program development
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook)
• Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications, subject to approval by the DPH Chief Human Resources Officer, or their delegate.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN)
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN), or similar credential

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage comprehensive employee health and workplace safety programs across the agency
• Supervise, develop, and mentor staff while collaborating with senior leadership
• Serve as a key participant in emergency management operations
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and all workplace safety regulations
• Oversee inspections, audits, incident investigations, and corrective actions
• Maintain oversight of employee medical credentials and vaccination records
• Develop and implement safety policies, procedures, and training programs
• Promote a proactive, organization-wide culture of safety and risk prevention
• Oversee exposure management, medical surveillance, and workplace injury response
• Partner with leadership to implement preventative strategies and reduce incidents
• Analyze safety metrics, trends, and compliance data
• Provide actionable recommendations to executive leadership to mitigate risk

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices
• State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager