Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator - FT

Southeast Community College•Lincoln, NE

53d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction and supervision of the Administrative Director of Title IX, Compliance, and Labor Relations, the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Coordinator provides leadership for Southeast Community College's Environmental Health & Safety Management System (EHSMS). The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance, institutional preparedness, and promoting a culture of safety across all campuses. This position manages and coordinates the development, implementation, and monitoring of environmental, chemical, biological, and laboratory safety programs in alignment with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and College policies and procedures. The EH&S Coordinator works closely with campus administration, faculty, and staff to ensure effective EH&S operations, facilitate communication across stakeholder groups, and provide timely training and support. This full-time, regular position requires regular travel to all SCC campuses and learning centers. The Coordinator is expected to work collaboratively across locations to support consistent and effective delivery of EH&S services and to provide on-site oversight, consultation, and training as needed.

Requirements

Knowledge of environmental health and safety (EH&S) regulations, codes, and standards, including OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and applicable state/local rules.
Ability to implement, evaluate, and maintain Environmental Health & Safety Management Systems (EHSMS) across a multi-campus institution.
Proficiency in conducting risk assessments, safety audits, hazard analyses, and incident investigations.
Knowledge of best practices in hazardous waste management, chemical storage, lab safety, emergency preparedness, and occupational health.
Ability to develop and deliver effective EH&S training for faculty, staff, and students, including technical content and compliance topics.
Knowledge of modern administrative and program management practices relevant to institutional EH&S operations.
Ability to interpret and implement college policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements across multiple departments and sites.
Strong collaboration and communication skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with College leadership, faculty, staff, regulatory agencies, and contracted consultants.
Experience with EH&S data collection, recordkeeping, inspection documentation, and regulatory reporting.
Ability to develop policies and procedures that align with institutional strategy while meeting legal and safety obligations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams for managing the EHSMS program, environmental software platforms, and the ability to learn and use college systems for communication and reporting.
Knowledge of workplace safety programs, chemical hygiene plans, fire safety procedures, and emergency response planning.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment when responding to urgent safety concerns and during inspections or emergencies.
Ability to facilitate committee work, lead campus EH&S initiatives, and manage multi-campus projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated commitment to customer service, safety culture, and continuous improvement in a complex organizational environment.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and remain adaptable in a changing regulatory and institutional landscape.
Strong oral and written communication skills to write procedures, reports, training materials, and present safety topics to various campus audiences.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive safety, health, and compliance matters.
Must meet travel requirements of the position, including the ability to drive to all College campuses and offsite locations.
Physical ability to conduct safety inspections in various environments, including lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, climbing stairs, and walking across large campus areas.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends in response to institutional needs, emergencies, or training events.
The individual must possess the above skills and abilities or demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using a combination of knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Associate's degree in environmental health, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, public health, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field.
Three (3) years of full-time experience in environmental health and safety, laboratory safety, hazardous materials management, or a related field is required
A related Bachelor's degree in the required fields of study may be substituted for one (1) year of the required work experience.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in environmental health, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, public health, biology, chemistry, or a related field.
Professional Certifications in:
Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction Certification
HAZWOPER (40-hour) Certification
First Aid/CPR/AED Trainer Certification
Knowledge of and experience with environmental health and safety regulations, including OSHA, EPA, NFPA, DOT, and applicable state and local requirements.
Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating Environmental Health & Safety Management Systems.
Familiarity with chemical hygiene plans, lab safety protocols, and hazardous waste management procedures.
Experience in risk assessment, incident investigation, and corrective action planning.

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the College's Environmental Health & Safety Management System (EHSMS).
Monitor compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, EPA, DEQ, DOT, CDC, NIH, and other applicable authorities.
Maintain and update institutional biosafety, chemical hygiene, and hazard communication plans in coordination with relevant departments.
Conduct or coordinate annual EHS compliance audits and risk assessments; develop corrective action plans in response to findings.
Serve as the a) designated Chemical Hygiene Officer for SCC in accordance with OSHA Lab Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450), b) College's Biological Safety Officer (BSO), as applicable under NIH Guidelines, and c) the primary institutional contact for regulatory inspections, permitting, and required environmental reporting.
Provide oversight and safety support for high-risk technical programs (e.g., welding, automotive, diesel, autobody), including respiratory protection (fit testing/medical evaluations), spill containment protocols, ventilation, and compressed gas handling.
Oversee safe storage, handling, and reporting for grounds and facilities chemical use (e.g., pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers), ensuring compliance with state applicator regulations and environmental protection standards.
Oversee occupational health and safety programs, including ergonomics, PPE, hearing conservation, bloodborne pathogen exposure control, and heat illness prevention.
Review and monitor contractor/vendor safety compliance, including pre-work safety plans, permits, and adherence to SCC standards when working on campus.
Oversee and coordinate the collection, storage, labeling, and disposal of hazardous, biological, and chemical waste across all campuses.
Ensure that all handling and disposal practices are performed in accordance with RCRA, OSHA, and other applicable regulations.
Coordinate with academic departments, especially Health Sciences and laboratory-based programs, to implement safe practices for lab setup, use, and cleanout.
Maintain chemical inventories and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) systems in collaboration with instructional and facilities teams.
Support procedures related to sharps disposal, spill response, and containment in labs, clinics, and instructional spaces.
Determine and maintain institutional hazardous waste generator status in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Coordinate with local agencies (e.g., county health agencies) to ensure required permits (e.g., special waste forms) are obtained and maintained. Ensure microbiological and biological waste disposal practices meet ASM and CDC biosafety standards and align with local permitting requirements.
Conduct safety reviews of diverse campus environments-including labs, shops, and areas with livestock or other animals-to identify risks and ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environmental standards.
Develop and deliver EH&S training programs to faculty and staff on topics such as chemical hygiene, lab safety, hazard communication, waste handling, emergency procedures, and job-specific safety protocols.
Maintain documentation of training completion in compliance with regulatory and institutional standards.
Assist departments in integrating safety practices into curriculum and operational procedures. Provide onboarding safety training and resources for new employees whose roles involve exposure to hazardous materials or processes.
Provide training and oversight on laboratory biosafety practices in accordance with ASM and CDC guidance.
Develop and coordinate campus-wide safety drills (e.g., fire, chemical spill, severe weather, active threat) in partnership with Safety & Security and Emergency Management.
Maintain records of regulatory compliance, inspections, training, accidents/incidents, and waste manifests per retention and reporting requirements.
Assist with the preparation and submission of annual environmental and safety reports, including Tier II, hazardous waste, and chemical inventories.
Support the integration of EH&S data into institutional systems, dashboards, or compliance tracking tools.
Maintain internal SOPs and documentation aligned with the EHSMS structure.
Ensure OSHA-required workplace injury and illness reporting (OSHA 300 logs) in coordination with HR.
Serve as a point of contact for chemical, biological, or environmental emergencies; coordinate response efforts with Safety & Security, Campus Operations, and Physical Plant staff.
Lead investigations into accidents, near-misses, and exposure incidents; conduct root cause analysis and issue corrective action recommendations.
Monitor safety trends and support strategies to reduce risk and promote a proactive safety culture across SCC locations.
Maintain and update emergency response protocols in collaboration with campus administration and local responders.
Support business continuity planning by integrating EH&S risk considerations into institutional emergency preparedness strategies.
Work closely with campus AVPs, Facilities/Plant Operations staff, Safety & Security personnel, academic departments, and external vendors/contractors to ensure coordinated EH&S implementation.
Provide guidance and technical assistance to supervisors and staff on regulatory compliance and safety best practices.
Represent the College in regulatory audits and partner with consultants (e.g., Olsson) for technical input as needed.
Collaborate with Human Resources, Compliance, and the Instructional Division in supporting occupational safety, employee training, and safety-related accommodations or policies.
Chair or participate in institutional safety-related committees, such as Safety Committee, Biosafety Committee, or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), as applicable
Represent the EH&S needs on campus/college administrative teams and work groups, including the campus management council and other College teams as assigned.
Attend division and college meetings as assigned.
Assist in the formulation/review/implementation of campus operating procedures.
Internal/external reporting and regulation compliance;
Lead the development, review, and revision of department and campus-based reporting or publications such as the annual security report, college catalog, and other departmental and campus-based materials.
Review, monitor, formulate, revise, implement, and direct Environmental Health & Safety Management Systems to ensure that processes are consistent with college and campus policies, regulations, and operating procedures.
Inform and assist staff with the interpretation and implementation of directives and any changes in college and campus policies, rules, and regulations in accordance with city, state, and federal regulations.
Support and promote an environment of belonging where all students, faculty members, and college employees feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute. Foster a community where each individual and their varied perspectives enrich the educational experience and create a safe and respectful environment. Support the College's policies and programming related to access, fair employment, and equal opportunities for all.

Benefits

SCC BEN Dollars - Eligible Employees: Full-time status. Regular employees with an FTE of 0.75 or greater will be eligible for SCC Ben Dollars. All employees will be required to elect a health insurance option. If the cost of insurance coverage selected by an employee exceeds the SCC Ben Dollars available, all additional costs will be withheld from the employee's paycheck. Any SCC Ben Dollars that the employee does not elect to use for the purchase of dependent health and dental insurance will be paid to the employee in cash at $0.93 per $1.00 benefit dollar. All amounts paid are subject to withholding for income and employment taxes, but not subject to the College's contribution toward the Retirement Savings Plan - Group Retirement Account (GRA).

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