Occupational Health & Safety Officer

Hiring Range: $65,000 - $70,000

Organizational Summary:

USF Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) implements policies, procedures and programs designed to protect life, property, and the environment. EH&S promotes a culture of safety by advancing adherence to the principles of safety, environmental compliance, and risk management, and assists the university community in achieving positive outcomes through education, hazard assessment, exposure mitigation, and the responsible management of hazardous materials.

Position Summary: 

The Occupational Health & Safety Officer position develops, implements and maintains a variety of occupational health and safety programs, including indoor environmental quality (IEQ), asbestos management, hazardous noise, ergonomics, respiratory protection, AED management, and more. 

Typical work includes, but is not limited to:

• Investigating internal customer concerns (e.g., odors and other IEQ issues, ergonomic issues, hazardous noise concerns, etc.)
• Collecting data using analytical equipment (e.g., anemometers, air sampling pumps, swab and tape lifts, etc.)
• Assessing hazards, recommending or implementing controls, and writing professional reports
• Developing and delivering training
• Investigating incidents including root cause analysis and prescribing corrective and preventative actions
• Assisting with the drafting of new policies and procedures
• Assisting with tasks from other EH&S disciplines (e.g., Occupational Safety, Environmental Safety, Fire Safety, etc.)

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Occupational Health & Regional Campuses. The position is an essential role. It is based primarily out of University of South Florida's Tampa campus but will provide support and visit other campuses as needed (e.g., Sarasota-Manatee, St Petersburg, etc.). 

1. Responds to concerns of internal customers, investigating potential causes of IEQ-related concerns, gathering data through use of analytical equipment: 

• Recommends corrective actions and evaluates their effectiveness.
• Provides professional communications to building occupants and facilities personnel both verbally and in writing.
• Provides response for incidents that occur both during normal work hours and after hours.

 2. Incident / emergency response and investigation: 

• Responds to incidents and emergencies on campus, including serving as Incident Commander as appropriate, such as during gas leaks, injuries/illnesses, leaks, spills, etc. 
• Evaluates and controls or makes recommendations for control of potential Occupational Health effects to campus community during incidents / emergencies 
• Collects data related to incidents / emergencies, analyzes causes, and writes reports including any recommended corrective or preventative actions.

 3. Monitors University-wide asbestos compliance program:

• Identification of potential asbestos containing materials in construction and renovation projects
• Coordination of asbestos surveys with licensed consultants, ensuring that projects are performed in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
• Professional communication to building occupants, facilities personnel, consultants/contractors, and regulatory agencies both verbally and in writing related to asbestos work requirements and procedures, notifications, sampling results, etc.

4. Performs air contaminant assessment and associated tasks such as program development and/or medical surveillance. 

• Reviews and conducts exposure assessments campus-wide for activities including construction or renovation projects, student activities, and faculty research to identify air contaminant exposures
• Reviews and interprets regulatory requirements related to exposures and performs any necessary sampling and assessment 
• Develops/implements/applies Occupational Health management programs as needed based on employee exposure, including medical surveillance if appropriate (e.g., hearing conservation, OHSA Subpart Z, etc.) 

 5. Assists other EH&S disciplines with tasks as needed to support cross-functional abilities on the EH&S team, including Occupational Safety, Fire Safety, Environmental Health, etc. 

 6. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1 year of experience in safety or research compliance; or a Master's degree. 

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.

Additional Info for applicants: 

Progressively responsible experience involving enforcement of safety protocols, hazardous mate