College of Engineering Safety Officer

San José State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University’s Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering seeks a Safety Officer to lead and implement safety programs across chemical, biological, equipment and fire safety areas.

The role coordinates with Environmental Health & Safety, University Compliance Committees, and Police to optimize campus safety resources. The position oversees chemical receiving, labeling, storage and waste processes, updates safety procedures, and conducts inspections to ensure regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience.
• Experience applying safety regulations and coordinating safety training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement College of Engineering safety programs (chemical, biological, equipment, fire).
• Liaise with EH&S, compliance committees, and Police to maximize campus resource effectiveness.
• Manage chemical receiving, inventory, labeling, storage and waste processes in the college.
• Input chemicals into inventories and assist with deliveries of biological materials with Central Shops staff.
• Inspect college teaching and research labs to ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Coordinate mandated safety training programs for the college.
• Train lab directors to reconcile chemical and biohazard inventories.
• Serve as Building Emergency Coordinator for the Engineering Building and lead emergency teams.

Skills

Hazardous materials handling

Industrial hygiene knowledge

Safety program leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Inventory software

Job description

Job no: 562400
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Environmental Health and Safety, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Job Summary

San José State University’s Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering is an innovative, collaborative, and supportive environment that empowers employees to achieve professional and personal goals while contributing to the university’s student-centered mission. A member of the 23-campus California State university system, San José State University (SJSU) is situated in the entrepreneurial heart of Silicon Valley. The College of Engineering at San Jose State University comprises ten departments and independent programs which employs nearly 400 faculty and staff to support more than 7,000 local and international students. Committed to excellence and service, the expert staff of the College of Engineering frequently work with multiple external stakeholders and partners from across campus and other institutions.
Reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success, the Safety Officer performs duties under general supervision but works independently to achieve specified outcomes in the critical areas of College of Engineering Safety Program implementation, emergency response, and hazardous material/equipment management. As Safety Officer for the College of Engineering, applies expertise to oversee the College of Engineering Programs in chemical, biological, equipment, fire, and other safety programs and manages the coordination and implementation of safety and safety training programs. Serves as a key technical advisor to department, college and university-level leaders with expertise in all of the above areas of safety as well as workshop, makerspace, laboratory and other engineering facilities. Uses effective communication skills to share expertise with all levels of users. Serves as a College liaison with SJSU Environmental Health and Safety, University Compliance Committees, and University Police Department to accomplish college safety goals and maintain compliance. Updates the College of Engineering web pages. Maintains safety equipment and supplies. Serves as an active member of the College Safety Committee. Oversees hazardous materials receiving, chemical inventory, hazardous materials storage, and hazardous waste within the college. Performs inspections in all college labs. Manages facilities coordination when needed in response to safety or other urgent facilities issues in the College of Engineering.

This position advances strategic initiatives and ensures day-to-day business functions are aligned with the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Uses expertise to oversee and implement College of Engineering safety programs in chemical, biological, equipment fire, and other safety areas.
• Uses effective communication skills to serve as a liaison with SJSU Environmental Health & Safety, University Compliance Committees, and the University Police Department to maximize effectiveness of campus resources.
• Oversees the management of chemical receiving, inventory software, labeling, storage, and waste processes for the College of Engineering.
• Inputs new chemicals into inventories and assists with deliveries of biological materials in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.
• Manages inspections of all College of Engineering teaching and research labs and workshops to ensure compliance with current regulatory standards in alignment with the SJSU Illness and Injury Prevention Plan and the SJSU Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Serves as the training coordinator who implements mandated training programs for the college.
• Trains lab directors to reconcile chemical and biohazard inventories in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.
• Serves as the Building Emergency Coordinator for the Engineering Building and oversees all College of Engineering Building Emergency Teams.
• Leads, coordinates and trains the Hazardous Emergency Response/Spill control Teams and the Community Emergency Response Team program for the College.
• Serves as an active member of the College of Engineering Safety Committee to promote a culture of safety and establish and communicate safety protocols, procedures and practices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to hazardous materials emergency situations, incidents or accidents.
• Working knowledge of industrial hygiene and occupational safety regulations and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of chemical and biochemical inventorying, labeling, storage, and waste disposal processes.
• Knowledge of chemical hazard assessment, proper chemical storage environments and segregation strategies is essential, particularly in the laboratory environment.
• Ability to wear a respirator and pass annual physical examination.
• Strong written and oral communication skills needed to effectively interact with other team members, faculty and staff, and students.
• Ability to effectively present ideas and training and gain buy-in from stakeholders to adopt and implement requirements.
• Ability to organize and handle multiple priorities.
• Working knowledge of computer as a tool, including ability to utilize database, spreadsheet, work-processing, project planning, and presentation software.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above Environmental Health and Safety Professional Series – 6 may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. A professional certification may be required for some positions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in science or engineering.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundamental chemistry and Environmental Health and Safety.
• Five to eight years of experience working in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering or similar research fields.
• Previous experience serving as a research group manager or technical staff manager is highly desirable.
• Previous experience serving as a safety officer in a research and development environment is highly desirable.

Compensation

Classification: Environmental Health and Safety Professional III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $8,457/month - $8,975/month (Step 13 – Step 16)
CSU Salary Range: $6,668/month - $9,714/month (Step 1 – Step 20)
San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: October 7, 2026 through October 21, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture
[e-mail]

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to [e-mail].

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification