Site Safety, Compl & Emerg Mgr

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) Site Safety, Compliance, and Emergency Manager, under the direction of the Associate Director of Facilities Compliance & Emergency Coordination, has the responsibility for managing and supporting all compliance programs within Facilities Management.

This role champions a safe, healthy, and compliant environment for all campus users by ensuring adherence to local, state, and federal safety regulations. The manager leads routine facility inspections and audits of field operations - including construction and renovation projects - to proactively identify and address safety risks.

Success in this position requires strong analytical skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to communicate effectively across departments to foster a culture of safety and compliance.

The ideal candidate will be familiar with building fire protection and suppression systems and appliances, as well as basic building utility systems, including but not limited to : vertical transportation, HVAC, communication systems, and internal emergency power systems supporting administrative and residential areas.

Responsibilities

• Conducting hazard analyses and safety inspections to identify risks and recommending corrective actions, including engineering controls, safe work practices, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), with thorough documentation of findings and resolutions.
• Collaborating with Facilities Management teams to implement safety programs and corrective actions.
• Developing, updating, and delivering training on safety policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance programs for Facilities Staff.
• Serving as a subject matter expert on workplace safety, driving continuous improvement in health and safety performance.
• Acting as the department's liaison during property insurance inspections, evaluating carrier recommendations, identifying strategic focus areas, and setting long-term goals for risk mitigation and cost control.
• Reviewing documentation for regulatory and CUIMC safety compliance and actively participating in multi-campus workgroup meetings to address safety concerns and contribute to policy development.
• Overseeing Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance "shop" work orders, ensuring seamless coordination from request submission to project completion; collaborating with service providers, monitoring progress, verifying outcomes, and providing timely updates.
• Ensuring compliance with the medical center's Air State Facility Permit by maintaining rigorous standards for air pollution control; participating in semiannual training and maintaining EPA Method 9 Opacity / " Smoke School" certification.
• Collaborating with contractors and maintenance providers to conduct thorough safety inspections and audits of construction and project sites; ensuring adherence to all policies and the Columbia University Contractor Guidelines; documenting hazards using iAuditor; facilitating corrective actions; and escalating serious violations as necessary.
• Performing accident investigations and assisting in the design and implementation of recurrence prevention programs; inputting investigation data to generate trending reports.
• Managing chemical safety compliance by reviewing and approving Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals proposed for use; ensuring proper receipt, inventory, and maintenance of SDSs; consulting SDSs for potential exposure risks; overseeing annual Right to Know filing; and ensuring adherence to Local Law 143 requirements for chemical inventory and hazard communication.
• Serving as the FDNY-certified (F-89) Fire Life Safety (FLS) / Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Director for one or two designated commercial / Class B campus buildings, while maintaining campus-wide fire safety responsibility. As a recipient of FireWorks notifications and equipped with a portable radio, responding to all fire alarms and emergency events, making public announcements in buildings with one-way communication systems, coordinating evacuations, and actively participating in fire drills under the direction of the Director of Fire Safety Operations.
• Maintaining compliance with FDNY regulations and emergency readiness through ongoing training, communication, and collaboration with building wardens, searchers, fire brigade members, and emergency personnel.
• Assisting in planning and executing emergency preparedness initiatives, including training exercises and resource coordination to support CUIMC resilience and response readiness.
• Serving as "essential personnel," providing administrative, management, and individual support, and various other duties, as required, during and outside normal working hours, including during institution closures, emergencies, and scheduled or unscheduled events.

Physical work is a core aspect of this role. The work environment includes exposure to certain hazards and physical risks, requiring adherence to basic safety protocols. The position involves moderate exposure to unusual conditions such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, odors, and / or loud noises. Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors and may require the use of personal protective equipment and clothing.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Sciences, Emergency Management, or a related field is preferred; however, a combination of relevant education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Candidates must demonstrate at least 5 years of progressive management experience, including direct supervision of personnel. Recent administrative or managerial experience within an academic or similarly complex institutional setting is strongly preferred.

Candidate must possess or be immediately eligible for the Certificate of Fitness as a Fire Safety Director, and within 90 days, must successfully pass the Fire Safety Director on-site test at a location designated by CUIMC.

Candidate must hold or be eligible to obtain all certifications required by federal, state, and local regulations, including applicable NYC Certificates of Fitness. Demonstrated leadership ability, personnel management skills, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative, team-oriented environment are essential. The role requires exceptional organizational abilities, outstanding verbal and written communication skills, and a strong capacity to engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders across CUIMC.

Demonstrated abilities and knowledge regarding a high level of independence and collaboration in the performance of responsibilities, and strong analytical and reasoning skills are required. The abilities required to effectively thrive in a fast-paced, multi-building, service-oriented environment and establish / maintain effective relationships across an academic community are critical.

Above-average understanding and skills related to PC-based hardware and software used in facilities management are essential, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PDF Tools, File Management, and Work Order management.

Working knowledge of construction, architectural, and engineering plans and specifications, as well as familiarity with building, fire, safety, and environmental codes.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.