Program Leader, Industrial/Worker Safety - Environmental Health and Safety - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

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About The Position

Under the direction of the Associate Director, OSEF, Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), the Program Leader for Industrial Worker Safety (IWS) provides senior-level leadership for the development, governance, and continuous improvement of campus-wide industrial safety, worker and general safety management systems. This position is accountable for protecting the health and safety of the entire campus community—including faculty, staff, students, visitors, and contractors—through structured, resilient safety programs that drive consistent risk control, regulatory compliance, and measurable performance improvement. The role serves as a strategic safety leader within EHS, translating Tennessee OSHA requirements and applicable OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910 and relevant 1926) into sustainable systems, processes, and operational practices. The position collaborates extensively with campus partners, chairs a multi-department safety committee, leads professional staff, and provides technical leadership, including hands-on involvement when necessary. Emergency technical response and participation in EHS On-Call support are required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a science, occupational health & safety or environmental field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in occupational health & safety programs development and implementation.
• 2 years’ supervisory experience.
• Experience managing budgets and regulatory agency inquiries.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree and 5 or more years of experience implementing, supervising, or overseeing implementation of occupational safety and health programs.
• Credentials in an occupational health & safety or environmental program field (e.g., CIH, ASP, CSP, CHO, etc.).
• University or academic experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, lead, and continuously improve strategic-level industrial/worker safety management systems that establish governance, standardized processes, documentation, and accountability.
• Translate regulatory and consensus standards into effective, sustainable safety programs and operational controls across diverse university operations including industrial, campus community, laboratory, shops, and classroom settings.
• Direct systematic hazard identification, risk assessment and prioritization, incident investigation, and corrective and preventive action processes within an established SMS framework.
• Establish performance metrics, data analysis, and reporting processes to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement and system resiliency.
• Chair and lead a multi-department campus Life/Industrial Safety & Fire Committee, providing strategic direction and cross-functional alignment.
• Provide leadership and oversight of IWS staff and student employees, including workforce planning and organization, performance management, training, and professional development.
• Oversee safety training systems to ensure required training is defined, delivered, evaluated, and maintained for regulatory compliance and meeting institutional needs.
• Provide senior-level technical assistance and consultation, including direct field involvement as needed to address complex hazards, high-risk operations, or emergent issues.
• Participate in EHS planning activities related to achieving campus strategy, service enhancements, and system maturity across campus.

What This Job Offers

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