Director, Environmental Health and Safety

Title:
Director, Environmental Health and Safety

Department:
SVP Real Estate Dev/Capital Ops

Reports To:
Associate Vice President for Environmental and Operational Services

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at NJIT leads the university’s EHS strategy, ensuring a safe and compliant campus environment. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Environmental and Operational Services, this role oversees EHS staff and consultants, directs compliance programs, and engages stakeholders to foster a "Culture of Safety." Key responsibilities include developing policies, conducting environmental investigations, managing regulatory compliance, and providing safety training. The Director collaborates with leadership, faculty, and students, advises on emerging regulations, and proactively mitigates risks through inspections, audits, and education initiatives.

Essential Functions:
- Develops and directs short- and long-term EHS strategies, policies, and procedures.

• Ensures regulatory permitting and compliance and monitors program effectiveness.
• Oversees environmental investigations related to building operations, demolition, and construction.
• Supervises staff, consultants, and student workers, managing department operations.
• Provide training and oversight of safety, hazardous materials, waste disposal, and regulatory compliance.
• Manages budget and resources to support EHS initiatives.
• Promotes a "Culture of Safety" through stakeholder engagement, audits, and training.
• Serves as a liaison to internal committees and external regulatory agencies.
• Chairs the campus-wide EHS committee.
• Conducts regular inspections to assess and mitigate EHS risks.
• Approves research protocols and associated material and equipment procurement.
• Oversees emergency response procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, or local statues or regulations including OSHA.
• Audits facilities or processes to identify weaknesses or risks and proactively develops and implements corrective actions; ensures appropriate investigation of and response to accidents or injuries.

Additional Functions:

• Advises university leadership on EHS compliance and communicates updates to stakeholders.
• Engages with faculty, staff, and students to enhance EHS awareness and education.
• Oversees consultant activities and maintains training records.
• Guides EHS oversight from compliance enforcement to proactive engagement and education.
• Investigates incidents and partners with relevant departments to mitigate risks.
• Stays informed on evolving regulations and advises leadership accordingly.
• Liaison with campus sustainability efforts and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Characteristics:

• Customer Focused and Service Oriented;
• Initiative, Innovative Thinking, Results Orientation; and
• Teamwork and Collaboration.

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, health and safety, industrial hygiene or related field.
• A minimum of (10) years' work experience in Environmental Health and Safety administration, hazardous materials response, and occupational risk management.
• A minimum of five (5) years in a managerial position with direct oversight of subordinate staff.
• Extensive knowledge of environmental health and safety principles, regulations, and best practices within a large research university.
• Strong understanding of technical EHS management responsibilities in a campus setting, including OSHA training in general industry safety.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, work under pressure, and communicate effectively.
• Proficiency in office software, CAD systems, and project management tools.
• At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental health and safety or a related field.
• Certified Safety Professional certification from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals or Certified Industrial Hygienist certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene.

Bargaining Unit:
Non-Aligned

Range/Band:
8

FLSA:
Exempt
Full-Time