Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Environmental Consulting Group; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas State University seeks a Director of Environmental Health & Safety to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the EHS department. The role ensures a safe environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors and oversees programs across chemical, biological, radiation, laboratory, fire, and hazardous materials management.

The director reports to the Chief Risk and Safety Officer and collaborates with Risk Management, HR, and other units to maintain compliance and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
• Minimum six years of relevant experience; advanced degrees may count toward experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and strong communication skills.
• Strong customer service approach and project management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Designs and leads institution-wide EHS strategies, programs, and systems.
• Provides strategic leadership and governance for EHS operations.
• Conducts data-driven risk analyses and develops mitigation plans.
• Oversees chemical, biological, laboratory, fire, and occupational safety programs.
• Manages budget, staffing, and vendor relationships; ensures regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or related field

Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or related field

Job description

Kansas State University seeks a Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Location: Manhattan, Kansas

The Position:
The Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university’s EHS department, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. This role plans, develops, and manages a comprehensive, highly technical service organization that supports research, academic, and operational programs. Reporting to the Chief Risk and Safety Officer and working closely with other units within the Division of Risk and Safety, the Director oversees programs including chemical, biological, radiation, laboratory, fire, and occupational safety; hazardous materials management; and environmental protection, while ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six years of relevant experience, with additional relevant education potentially counting toward experience as determined by the hiring manager.

The Risk and Safety Division at Kansas State University consists of EHS, Risk Management, Emergency Management, University Police, and Physical Security departments, all cohesively working together to reduce risk and make K‑State safer.

Responsibilities:

• Designs, develops, and implements institution-wide Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) strategies, programs, procedures, processes, and systems to ensure compliance with internal policies and all applicable local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Provides strategic leadership and subject‑matter expertise to ensure appropriate EHS governance structures, systems, and resources are established and aligned with university priorities.
• Conducts ongoing data‑driven risk and trend analyses to identify existing and emerging EHS hazards and regulatory issues and independently develops mitigation and prevention strategies.
• Continuously evaluates university‑wide EHS risks and hazards and provides advanced technical guidance to ensure regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and continuous program improvement.
• Ensures the Environmental Health & Safety department delivers effective, efficient, and high‑quality services across chemical, biological, and radiological materials management and disposal; occupational safety and industrial hygiene; laboratory, radiation, and laser safety; site assessments; hazard and contaminant surveys; investigations; training; hazardous materials release response; environmental sampling; compliance reporting; compliance and safety inspections; remediation activities; hazard and risk assessments; corrective actions; construction plan review; and code and regulatory review.
• Provides oversight and management for the fire safety group and University Fire Marshal.
• Works closely with Risk Management and Human Resources on incident tracking, root cause analysis investigations, and data analytics.
• Establishes and maintains standards for exceptional customer service.
• Working closely with Emergency Management and University Police, develops and oversees emergency response and continuity of operations planning for EHS program areas, including response exercises, emergency contingency planning, and hazardous materials security planning.
• Assigns management of the hazardous materials response team and ensures appropriate fiscal, medical, and training support, including medical surveillance, examinations, training, personal protective equipment, response equipment, and supplies.
• Provides direct leadership of EHS staff and management, fostering a high‑performing, service‑oriented culture.
• Collaborates with managers and staff to establish goals, vision, and mission; provides clear direction to achieve objectives; and promotes employee engagement, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
• Develops and manages the EHS operating budget and allocates financial resources to support strategic priorities, regulatory obligations, and operational needs.
• Identifies, justifies, and prioritizes funding for staffing, equipment, technology, training, and program enhancements.
• Manages safety‑related vendors and contracts.
• Oversees procurement and lifecycle management of EHS equipment, instrumentation, and response assets.
• Evaluates resource utilization and operational efficiency to ensure cost‑effective delivery of services while maintaining program quality and compliance.
• Serves as the institutional liaison to federal and state oversight agencies and accrediting bodies related to environmental health and safety and fire safety, including but not limited to KDHE, EPA, KDOL, OSFA, DOT, and OSHA.
• Ensures all required data, documentation, and regulatory reporting are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.
• Oversees agency inquiries, inspections, audits, and investigations, and directs associated response actions and compliance reporting.
• Communicates and collaborates with vice presidents, deans, department heads, faculty, staff, and students to provide technical assistance, guidance, and oversight on environmental health and safety matters.
• Interprets regulatory requirements and institutional policy for campus stakeholders and facilitates resolution of complex compliance and risk issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President and Chief Risk and Safety Officer.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field.
• A minimum of six years of relevant experience (education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager).
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing individuals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated record of a strong customer service approach.
• Strong project management skills.

Competitive candidates will possess some or all of these qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field.
• Experience managing an EHS unit at a college or university as a director or assistant director.
• EHS‑related certifications such as a CSP, a CIH, or a CHMM.

About Kansas State University:

Founded in 1863 as the nation’s first operational land‑grant university, Kansas State University (K‑State) is a Tier 1 research university with more than 20,200 students, 1,300 faculty members, 3,000 staff members and three physical campuses: the main campus in Manhattan; the K‑State Salina campus, home to aviation and