Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

University-of-Hawaii-System; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i System is seeking an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at Honolulu Community College. The role focuses on directing campus EHS programs, ensuring compliance with OSHA/HIOSH and DOH regulations, and acting as the on-site safety liaison.

The position requires developing training, inspections, hazardous materials management, and emergency planning while supporting facilities management and campus leadership. Generous benefits are included with permanent status.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, or related field; no years of experience required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EHS principles, regulations, and systems (OSHA/HIOSH rules).
• Ability to recognize problems, identify causes, and resolve EHS issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare reports and procedures; communicate with campus leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Assist in directing, planning, and coordinating campus EHS programs to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and maintain campus EHS programs including chemical hygiene and hazardous materials management.
• Inspect facilities to identify hazards and ensure corrective actions.
• Track hazardous materials and ensure proper storage, use, and disposal.
• Develop emergency response plans for chemical spills, fires, and disasters.
• Create and deliver mandatory EHS training for faculty, staff, and students.

Skills

EHS knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Training delivery

Incident investigation

Communication

Record-keeping

Microsoft Office

OSHA/HIOSH familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in OHS/related field

Master's degree (Desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Regulatory reporting systems

Job description

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (0097690) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

2026-02118

Honolulu Community College

Division

Administrative Services

10/05/2026

Closing Date

10/19/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

Position Number:

0097690

Description

Title: Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Position Number: 0097690

Hiring Unit: Administrative Services, Operations and Maintenance

Location: Honolulu Community College

Date Posted: October 5, 2026

Closing Date: October 19, 2026

Band: A

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Other Conditions: General funds to begin approximately July 2026, pending position clearance, availability of funds, satisfactory performance and program needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. *Under the supervision of the Auxiliary Services and Facilities Officer and the general oversight of the Auxiliary Services and Facilities Manager, the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist is responsible for assisting in directing, planning, and coordinating all environmental and occupational health and safety programs for the campus. This role requires technical expertise to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including but not limited to those from DOH (Department of Health), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and HIOSH (Hawaii Office of Occupational Safety and Health). Under the supervision of the Auxiliary Services and Facilities Officer, the EHS Specialist serves as the primary on-site expert and liaison for all safety-related matters, working to identify, evaluate, and control hazards and risks.
• 2. *Assists with the development, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive campus-specific EHS programs, including but not limited to a Chemical Hygiene Plan, Hazardous Materials Management Program, and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.
• 3. *Conducts and documents regular inspections of all campus facilities, including laboratories, workshops, classrooms, and grounds, to identify and mitigate potential hazards. Follows up to ensure all discrepancies are rectified.
• 4. *Assists in establishing and maintaining a system for the tracking and managing of hazardous materials, including proper storage, use, and disposal of chemicals and other regulated substances.
• 5. *Assists in developing and updating emergency response plans for various scenarios, such as chemical spills, fires, and natural disasters.
• 6. *Assists in the creation and delivery of mandatory EHS training programs for faculty, staff, and students, with a focus on areas such as lab safety, hazardous waste handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and fire extinguisher use.
• 7. *Provides specialized training for high-risk programs, such as welding, automotive repair, and nursing, ensuring students and instructors are proficient in program-specific safety protocols.
• 8. *Maintains accurate records of all training sessions and participant certifications.
• 9. *Serves as the campus first responder for on-campus environmental and safety emergencies.
• 10. *Investigates all accidents, injuries, and near-misses to determine root causes and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• 11. *Prepares and submits all required incident reports to the appropriate campus leadership and regulatory agencies.
• 12. *Ensures the campus is in continuous compliance with all relevant regulations from federal and state agencies, including OSHA, HIOSH, and the Hawaii Department of Health.
• 13. *Acts as the primary point of contact and liaison for regulatory inspections and audits.
• 14. *Maintains a current knowledge of evolving laws, regulations, and best practices in environmental health and safety.
• 15. *Assists in providing expert advice and consultation to facilities management, campus administration, department heads, and faculty on EHS matters, including facility design for new construction or renovations.
• 16. *Works collaboratively with the central UH System EHS office and other community college EHS specialists to share information and resources.
• 17. *Promotes a strong culture of safety awareness and personal responsibility across the campus community.
• 18. Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, or related field and no (0) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for Environmental Health and Safety; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• 2. Functional knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of Environmental Health and Safety demonstrated by knowledge, understanding and ability to apply concepts, terminology.
• 3. Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, federal and state laws, rules, regulations and systems associated with Environmental Health and Safety.
• 4. Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes and resolve the full range problems that may commonly occur in the area of Environmental Health and Safety.
• 5. Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• 6. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
• 7. Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and Microsoft Office programs.
• 8. Certification or ability to obtain certification within 60 days of employment in the following: 1. OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification. 2. Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) 40-Hour Certification. 3. First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification.
• 9. Functional knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards related to environmental health and safety, including those from OSHA, HIOSH, and the Hawaii Department of Health.
• 10. Demonstrated ability to assist in the management a comprehensive EHS program, including developing policies, conducting audits, and ensuring compliance.
• 11. Strong written and verbal communication skills to assist with training personnel, preparing reports, and communicating with campus leadership and regulatory agencies.
• 12. Ability to resolve complex problems and make sound decisions under pressure.

Desirable Qualifications

• 1. Possession of a Master's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health and Safety, or related field.
• 2. Demonstrated experience working in an educational institution or research-heavy environment.
• 3. Demonstrated experience with laboratory safety, biohazardous materials management, and chemical hygiene planning.
• 4. Demonstrated experience with fire and life safety codes and inspections.
• 5. Demonstrated experience working with vocational programs that involve trades, such as welding, automotive, or construction.
• 6. Relevant health and safety professional certifications, including but not limited to: 1. Certified Safety Professional. 2.Certified Industrial Hygienist.
• 7. Knowledge of the University of Hawaii System, Community College System, and Honolulu Community College policies and procedures related to facilities management and risk assessment.
• 8. Familiarity with the unique environmental and administrative challenges of working in a distributed community college system in Hawaii.

Inquiries:

Honolulu Community College

Human Resources Office

[e-mail]

808-845-9144

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/ , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/