Director of Environmental Safety and Health

Position Function:

At Mississippi State University, safety is foundational to our mission of teaching, research, and service. The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Office protects people, property, and the environment by promoting a culture of safety and compliance. We partner with faculty, staff, and students to ensure every learning and research space is secure, sustainable, and aligned with regulatory standards­ creating an environment where innovation thrives without compromising health or safety.

The Director of Environmental Health & Safety provides strategic leadership to advance this mission. This role ensures proactive risk management, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across all safety programs, supporting MSU's commitment to excellence in education and research.

Salary Grade: 18

Please see or for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities:

1. Lead EHS Operations: Direct and develop EHS staff, fostering a culture of safety and accountability. Provide guidance, resources, and professional development to ensure high performance.
2. Program Development & Strategic Management: Design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive safety programs across all EHS focus areas:
o Fire & Life Safety - Ensure compliance with NFPA and State Fire Marshal standards;
oversee inspections and emergency systems.
o Workplace Safety-Manage programs for respiratory protection, fleet safety, ergonomics, and indoor air quality.
o Laboratory Safety- Oversee chemical inventory, hazardous material handling, and lab close-out procedures.
o Hazardous Waste Management - Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal in
compliance with EPA and state regulations.
o Radiation Safety - Maintain compliance with NRC requirements; oversee monitoring and training for radiation-producing equipment.
o Biological Safety - Implement biosafety protocols for infectious agents and research environments.
o Environmental Compliance - Manage air and water quality programs, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory reporting.
3. Policy Development & Compliance: Establish and maintain policies aligned with federal, state, and local regulations. Ensure adherence through audits, inspections, and corrective actions.
4. Risk Assessment & Incident Response: Coordinate investigations of accidents and incidents,
recommend preventive measures, and implement programs to reduce recurrence.
5. Campus Collaboration: Partner with academic, research, and administrative units to integrate safety into operations and decision-making.
6. Education & Training: Develop and deliver training programs to engage faculty, staff, and students in safety awareness and compliance.
7. Budget & Resource Management: Manage EHS budgets effectively to support strategic priorities and operational needs.
8. Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Drive enhancements across all EHS programs by monitoring emerging regulations, technologies, and best practices. Implement data-driven strategies, performance metrics, and sustainability initiatives to ensure MSU's safety programs remain cutting-edge and adaptable.
9. External Coordination: Serve as liaison for regulatory agencies and coordinate external audits and inspections.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum
Education Masters


Focus
Related field


Experience (yrs.) Two years Progressive

Preferred Qualifications:

Over five year's experience in a managerial role. Advanced degree and/or three years of experience in an academic research and safety environment. Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH); Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP);certified Health Physicist (CHP); Certified Safety professional (CSP); or Certified Hazardous Materials Management (CHHM).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Leadership & Team Building: Ability to lead teams, resolve conflicts, and foster collaboration.
2. Regulatory Expertise: In-depth knowledge of OSHA, EPA, NRC, NFPA, and state/local safety regulations.
3. Program Development: Skilled in designing and implementing comprehensive safety programs.
4. Risk Management: Ability to assess hazards, develop mitigation strategies, and implement preventive measures.
5. Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills for training, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
6. Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to use data-driven approaches for continuous improvement and decision-making.
7. Budget Management: Experience in fiscal planning and resource allocation.
8. Technology & Innovation: Familiarity with safety management systems, compliance software, and emerging technologies in EHS.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• The position may require employee to work with hazardous materials or be in areas where radiation producing equipment, radioactive materials, chemicals or infectious agents are present. Employee is required to wear personal protective equipment and a respirator in certain circumstances.
• Physical requirements include frequent sitting, talking, hearing, walking, and standing. Occasionally requires reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling handling objects with hands, and lifting up to ten pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
• Externally exposed to deadlines; set and revised beyond one's control; interruptions influence priorities; difficult to anticipate nature or volume of work with certainty beyond a few days; meeting of deadlines and coordination of unrelated activities are key to position; will involve conflict- resolution or similar interactions involving emotional issues or stress on a regular basis.