Health and Safety Manager

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University is seeking a Residential Health & Safety Manager to lead safety programs across Duke's residence halls and living spaces. You will partner with Housing & Residence Life, Facilities Management, Occupational & Environmental Safety, and Public Safety to foster a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility.

Responsibilities include incident investigations, development of JHAs, emergency preparedness, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Chemistry, Physics, Biological Science or related field is required.
• Three years of progressive experience in biological safety, occupational safety and hygiene, environmental programs, fire safety, ergonomics or radiation safety.
• Master’s degree in related safety fields may offset one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead Residential Safety Programs and partner with campus teams to implement safety solutions.
• Advance risk management and emergency preparedness through inspections, drills, and investigations.
• Ensure compliance and operational excellence across residence halls and facilities.
• Design and deliver safety training for maintenance, housekeeping, and staff.
• Oversee life safety systems inspections, testing, and coordination with contractors.

Skills

Safety leadership

Hazard assessment

Incident investigation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we believe that a safe and inclusive residential environment is critical to student success. We celebrate individuality, value diverse perspectives, and empower our team members to make a meaningful impact every day.

As the Residential Health & Safety Manager, you will play a vital role in protecting and enhancing the well‑being of students, staff, and visitors living and working within Duke University's residential communities. You will serve as a strategic leader and trusted advisor, partnering with colleagues across Housing & Residence Life, Facilities Management, Occupational & Environmental Safety, Public Safety, and labor partners to foster a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility. Your expertise will help ensure that Duke's residence halls remain safe, compliant, and prepared to support a thriving 24/7 living‑learning environment. This position is classified as an Essential Service for campus and weather emergencies.

Be Bold.

What You'll Do

Lead Residential Safety Programs

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive environmental, health, and safety programs supporting Duke residence halls.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify risks and implement effective safety solutions.
• Maintain and enhance departmental safety policies, procedures, and operational standards and
• Provide functional safety leadership to Maintenance and Housekeeping teams, ensuring regulatory compliance and consistent application of safe work practices.
• Monitor changes in applicable regulations and integrate requirements into housing operations and collaborate with the FMD Safety Manager and designated FMD parties to align training programs for bargaining unit employees.

Advance Risk Management & Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as the primary department contact for environmental concerns, including indoor air quality, water intrusion, mold assessments, and related investigations.
• Lead incident investigations involving injuries, accidents, near misses, and environmental complaints, identifying root causes and corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and safe work procedures in partnership with Occupational & Environmental Safety experts.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness initiatives, including fire drills, fire watch protocols, life safety planning, and incident response activities.
• Collaborate with supervisors and labor representatives to ensure procedures align with operational and regulatory requirements and have responsibility for overseeing revision, implementation, and maintenance of the department's Safety Policies and Procedures Manual

Ensure Compliance & Operational Excellence

• Conduct safety inspections throughout residence halls, common spaces, custodial areas, and mechanical facilities.
• Coordinate regulatory and external agency inspections and ensure timely resolution of findings.
• Monitor safety training compliance and support implementation of safety programs across residential operations.
• Partner with labor groups and operational leadership to address workplace safety concerns and promote continuous improvement.

Deliver Training & Build a Culture of Safety

• Design and facilitate engaging safety training programs for maintenance, housekeeping, leadership, and residential staff.
• Identify and collaborate with external consultants and subject matter experts to enhance specialized training initiatives.
• Maintain required training records and documentation to support regulatory compliance.
• Promote safety awareness through communication, outreach, and employee engagement efforts.
• Support leaders in addressing training gaps and strengthening accountability.

Support Projects & Life Safety Systems

• Serve as a safety liaison for contractors and vendors performing work within residential facilities.
• Coordinate inspections, testing, maintenance, and compliance activities related to fire alarms, fire suppression systems, and other life safety systems.
• Review project plans to ensure appropriate consideration of hazardous materials, occupant protection, egress requirements, and environmental risks.
• Track corrective actions resulting from inspections, assessments, and system testing activities.
• Collaborate with campus partners to address environmental hazards and maintain safe residential environments.

Contribute to the Duke Community

Support departmental, divisional, and university priorities through special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned. Demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

Education

Work generally requires a bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Chemistry, Physics, Biological Science or related scientific field.

Experience

Work requires three years of progressive experience in biological safety, occupational safety and hygiene, environmental programs, fire safety, ergonomics, OR radiation safety. A master's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene or other field related to the disciplines listed above may offset one required year of experience.

Preferred Experience

• Environmental health and safety leadership in higher education, residential, healthcare, or large institutional settings.
• Supporting facilities maintenance, custodial operations, or complex operational environments.
• Working within unionized environments and partnering with collective bargaining units.
• Coordinating fire and life safety inspections, drills, emergency preparedness activities, and compliance programs.
• Managing environmental concerns such as mold response, indoor air quality, water intrusion, asbestos, and other building‑related hazards.
• Collaborating with regulatory agencies, fire marshals, consultants, and safety authorities.

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
• Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH)
• Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)
• Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)
• Certified Health Physicist (CHP)
• Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)
• or other related professional credentials.

Key Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety programs.
• Familiarity with fire and life safety codes affecting residential facilities.
• Strong risk assessment and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to interpret safety‑related collective bargaining agreement provisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to influence, collaborate, and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in complex operational environments.
• Sound judgment and decision‑making capabilities.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

The primary nature of this position is that of a professional staff role involving both administrative responsibilities and routine on‑site inspections within occupied residential facilities. The position requires frequent movement throughout residence halls, lifting or moving items up to 50 pounds, and occasional exposure to dust, temperature extremes, and other environmental conditions.

Employees must be able to complete all positional requirements outlined above with or without reasonable accommodations. For more information, please visit https://hr.duke.edu/policies/ada/

Why Duke?

At Duke, you'll join a community that values innovation, collaboration, and belonging. You'll have the opportunity to influence the safety and well‑being of thousands of students while partnering with dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence. Whether you're leading safety initiatives, managing risk, or helping shape the future of residential operations, your contributions will make a lasting impact.

Choose Duke.

At Duke University, we're committed to creating exceptional experiences for our students, employees, and visitors. We invite you to bring your expertise, passion, and leadership to a role where safety, service, and community come together.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑ related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides