Environmental Safety Manager

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Cell phone discounts

Headspace subscription

Job summary

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is seeking an Environmental Safety Manager (LPHA) to lead safety initiatives, manage risk, and coordinate emergency preparedness across the organization. The role oversees Safety Officers and collaborates with Risk Management, Operations, and Admin to ensure ongoing compliance and proactive safety culture.

Ideal candidates will have five+ years in facilities safety or life safety, a Bachelor’s degree, and proven experience developing programs,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five or more years of work experience in facilities management, environmental safety, emergency management or life safety.
• Experience in safety and health programs management.

Responsibilities

• Chairs Safety and Risk Management Committee and guides policy, training, and resources.
• Coordinate safety systems and review environmental concerns, incidents, and data.
• Lead quarterly drills and ensure staff readiness across shifts.
• Perform environmental assessments and drive corrective actions.
• Develop, train, and oversee safety programs and personnel.

Skills

Safety leadership

Committee management

Risk assessment

Emergency preparedness

Training and development

Cross-functional collaboration

Ergonomic assessments

Environmental safety programs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Upkeep

Job description

Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Licensed Professional of the Healing Arts (LPHA). The Environmental Safety Manager serves as a key liaison between Risk Management, Operations, and Administrative departments. This role performs advanced professional work in the development, implementation, training, evaluation, and ongoing management of safety programs. The position is responsible for planning, assigning, and overseeing the work of Safety Officers. The Environmental Safety Manager is authorized to recommend appropriate actions when hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions are identified that may pose risks to individuals, facilities, or equipment. The role operates under minimal supervision and requires a high level of initiative, independent judgment, and decision-making to ensure compliance with safety standards and support organizational risk-mitigation efforts.

Your Role In Action

Safety Leadership and Committee Management

• Chairs the Safety and Risk Management Committee and provides recommendations regarding policy, procedures, training needs, and resource allocation.
• Coordinates safety systems and facilitates review of environmental concerns, incident reports, ergonomic issues, and data analysis.
• Distributes meeting materials timely, documents minutes, and ensures follow-up on assigned action items.
• Reports annually on safety progress and leads the Committee in achieving future organizational goals.

Environmental Assessments and Risk Mitigation

• Conducts environmental assessments, collaborates with co-assessors, and ensures awareness and correction of identified hazards.
• Implements preventive actions and meets organizational strategic objectives related to safety and risk reduction.

Emergency Preparedness and Drill Management

• Plans and conducts all required emergency drills—including medical, security, facility, and weather events—in accordance with Plain Language Alert Code requirements.
• Ensures drills fully address required emergency scenarios and meet agency standards for staff readiness.
• Conducts unannounced emergency procedure tests per CARF standards, including documentation, performance analysis, corrective action planning, and training.
• Designs and leads quarterly drills, exercises, and tabletop events for all emergency response types, across all shifts.
• Completes Fire Marshal reporting requirements in a timely manner.

Inspections, Incident Prevention, and Corrective Action Follow-Up

• Ensures completion of slip, trip, and fall inspections and reviews safety checklists for corrective action needs.
• Tracks repairs and mitigation activities using Upkeep, verifies timely completion.
• Conducts quarterly Safety Officer meetings focused on training, inspection status, and safety updates.

Training, Program Development, and Safety Oversight

• Performs advanced safety program work including development, implementation, training, and evaluation of safety programs.
• Manages the safety intranet site and maintains educational materials supporting safety and emergency preparedness.
• Provides training, guidance, and performance oversight to Safety Officers in identifying, reporting, and resolving safety risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Technology Integration

• Collaborates with Information Technology and Risk Management to maintain intranet resources supporting safety programs.
• Coordinates staff use, reporting, and readiness of life safety equipment and safety technology, including AEDs.

Risk Assessment and Compliance Support

• Coordinates annual risk assessments with the Directors of Risk Management, Security, and Facility Services.
• Provides ergonomic assessments, investigative support, and other duties as assigned. Provide Ergonomic Assessments within a 5-day turnaround.

Emergency Response and Continuity Planning

• Participates in disaster planning activities.

What Qualifications Do You Need

• Bachelor's degree required

Experience

Five or more years of work experience in fields such as facilities management, environmental safety, emergency management or life safety. Experience in the management and support of safety and health programs.

What Else You Should Know

• This position is associated with position #1080.

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks. Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being. Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

About Us

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million. As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation. By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential. Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.