Occupational Safety, Health & Emergency Management Director

The approximate base compensation range is posted, but the actual offer will reflect our total compensation and benefits package. The offer will be determined by a number of factors including the selected candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, FTE, number of months worked, as well as internal equity among our team.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Facilities, the Occupational Safety, Health and Emergency Management Director oversees the College’s Occupational Safety and Health program, the College’s chemical hygiene plan, and the operations of the Security Department, which operates on a 24/7 basis servicing the College of St. Scholastica, St. Scholastica Monastery, and the Benedictine Living Community. The Occupational Safety, Health and Emergency Management Director is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership, setting the vision, strategy, and direction of the College’s occupational safety, health, chemical safety, security, and emergency preparedness programs. This position provides technical guidance, training, and inspection/risk analysis services to staff, faculty, and students to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local agency standards and regulations and will serve as the College’s Chemical Hygiene Officer.

Key Results/Responsibilities

Safety & Health Compliance: Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local health and safety regulations, ensuring that the workplace adheres to industry standards and legal guidelines. This involves monitoring safety practices, policies, and procedures, including required chemical hygiene standards.

• Develop methods or programs to increase safety awareness within the College community.
• Investigate all complaints or concerns relating to safety issues, do the necessary follow-up, and take the necessary corrective actions.
• Serve as a contact between the College and its property liability insurance companies with respect to safety issues and compliance.
• Assist in the determination for the need of medical specialists, industrial hygienist, property protection specialists, and other professionals to assist in identifying and reducing hazardous conditions affecting the College.
• Chair the Safety and Health Committee.
• Make recommendations and assist in developing the necessary policies and procedures to maintain federal, state, and local compliance and to enhance safer work environments.
• Coordinate with management, employees, and committees to assess needs and audit existing operations for compliance with all regulations regarding safety, including chemical hygiene regulations.
• Plan, implement, and coordinate programs to reduce or eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, and financial losses.
• Conduct building and grounds surveys, including laboratory spaces, on a periodic and regular basis to detect code violations, hazards, and incorrect work practices and procedures.
• Respond to employee concerns or questions related to safety, occupational health, or chemical hygiene.
• Point of contact for the safety compliance for campus housing inspections with the City of Duluth for our 3-year operational permits.
• Oversee the chemical hygiene plan and coordinate chemical and biological waste management compliance and disposal for academic departments.
• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential hazards and evaluate workplace safety.
• Work directly with the College’s risk management consultant on our occupational health and chemical hygiene programs.
  
  

Policy Development: Develop and enforce policies that promote a culture of health and safety. These policies include but are not limited to the chemical hygiene plan and policies that cover areas such as OSHA compliance, emergency response, first aid, fire safety, and evacuation procedures.

Training Programs: Provide safety training for faculty, staff, and students educating them on safety protocols, regulations, and procedures, including in laboratory environments. Effective communication is essential to ensure everyone understands their roles in maintaining a safe environment.

• Organize, develop, and conduct all occupational safety and health training for the College and maintain documentation and records.
  
  

Accident Investigation: Investigate workplace accidents, incidents, and injuries. Analyze the circumstances, identify root causes, and recommend improvements to prevent recurrence.

Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records related to safety incidents, inspections, and compliance. Documentation is crucial for tracking trends and implementing necessary changes.

Collaboration

• Work closely with management, supervisors, faculty, and staff to promote safety awareness and foster a proactive safety culture.
• Advise faculty and staff on safety issues and compliance during specific projects and operations.
• Maintain liaison with outside organizations, such the Duluth Police Department, Duluth Fire Department, Insurance Representatives, and American Red Cross.
  
  

Health

• Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments to control, minimize, and prevent ergonomic task-specific injury.
• Work with the Human Resources Department and ADP representative to properly manage ergonomic issues.
• Work with the Human Relations and ADP representative on other health related issues.
• Coordinate air quality testing when notified of an on-going health issue with an employee.
• Coordinate Asbestos and lead testing for renovation work on campus.
  
  

Emergency Management & Disaster Recovery

• Assist with the development of policies and procedures to develop an effective emergency response and disaster recovery.
• Work with Departments on establishing their Continuing of Operations planning (COOP).
• Conduct tabletop exercises on how to respond and manage an emergency.
• May act as the Incident Commander during campus emergencies.
  
  

Environmental

• Inspect the college to ensure that handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals conform with Local, State and Federal regulations.
• Hazardous/Bio Waste management - MPCA
• Prepare, organize, and maintain records to document hazardous waste activities and disposal.
• Submit annually our volume of Hazardous Waste we disposed of via the MPCA on-line reporting form.
• Work with staff and faculty to assess the generation of hazardous waste and to review the processes for handling and storage.
• Work with staff and faculty to analyze the ability to reduce, reuse, or recycle waste.
• Train personnel in chemical and environmental safety.
• Maintain liaison with outside environmental agencies, such as, MPCA and WLSSD.
  
  

Campus Security

• Lead, plan, organize, manage, and direct all activities of campus security in accordance with college procedures and policies.
• Continuously monitor and improve campus security using a mixture of human interaction (Campus Security Officers and technology (mass notification system, access controls, cameras, etc.).
• Inspect facilities to identify risk exposures relative to life safety and fire prevention, develop control measures, and implement corrective action plans.
• Review and continuously improve a security and all hazards response and recovery plan to enable the college to address a wide variety of natural and man-made disasters. Evaluate and improve disaster control designs, methods, procedures and programs.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate emergency preparedness drills such as adverse weather and fire as well as man-made events such as active shooter threats.
• Work in coordination with faculty, staff, and contracted employees to monitor, evaluate, and report student conduct.
• Update and maintain policies and procedures relating to security.
• Ensure college compliance with all state and federal laws, including the Clery Act and Title IX. Prepare and submit reports and documentation for the college’s administration and for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Analyze intelligence concerning campus safety, provide timely reports to appropriate internal and external stakeholders regarding potential and actual safety and security concerns, and propose proactive and responsive measures to address such concerns.
• Maintain awareness of all applicable local, state, and federal laws related to campus safety and security in higher education.
• Serve as liaison between the college and emergency response agencies.
• Manage difficult or emotional student, faculty, and staff situations with tactfulness and confidentiality. Gather and analyze information skillfully, utilize an open, honest, and transparent communication style, reason through complex situations, exercise sound judgment, and have the ability to deescalate tense situations.
• Have the ability to prioritize tasks and work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Serve on the Facilities Manager-on-Duty weekend and Holiday rotation schedule.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Facilities.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, natural sciences, or in another relevant discipline.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in occupational safety & health, industrial hygiene, or proven experience in a similar role.
• Knowledge of emergency management and incident response protocols.
• Ability to write and implement a chemical hygiene plan
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check and obtain any necessary security clearances.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team effectively.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays, and respond to emergencies on a 24/7 basis, if required.
• Excellent management, communication, and public relations skills.
• Ability to manage a departmental budget.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, to interface with a diverse constituency, and to represent the college with integrity and professionalism.
• Ability to detect problems and report information to appropriate personnel in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to quickly assess a situation and have an excellent sense of judgment.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare reports concerning occupational safety & health and emergency management issues.
• Ability to resolve complaints and concerns and/or refer complainants to appropriate college personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to accomplish goals and objectives within established priority and timeframes
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish respect, credibility and trust and maintain productive working relationships at all levels of the college.
• Familiarity with protocols for communication and working with local, state, and federal law enforcement, life safety, environmental, and public health agencies.
• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies, and procedures that promote campus security.
• Demonstrated ability to implement a comprehensive safety/security and emergency response plan.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, natural sciences, or in another relevant discipline.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory capacity in occupational safety & health, industrial hygiene, or proven experience in a similar role, preferably in post-secondary education.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Certified Security Manager (CSM), or Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer (CCHO).
• Familiarity with relevant software and tools, such as incident management systems, access control systems, and video surveillance platforms.
• Strong understanding of physical security concepts, including perimeter protection, access control, and CCTV surveillance.
• Working knowledge of Clery Act, Title IX, and VAWA.
  
  

Required Certificates, Licenses, And Registrations

Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

• Valid driver’s license
• First Aid, CPR and AED certification within 3 months
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check
  
  

Physical Demands & Working Environment

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mo bility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds. Ability to work indoors and outdoors in conditions that include extensive walking and extreme temperatures.