Safety and Compliance Specialist

Georgia 4-H

Athens (GA)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 62,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

University of Georgia is seeking a Safety and Compliance Specialist to provide comprehensive EH&S services for academic and teaching laboratories. The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while representing the university with professionalism and integrity.

Based onsite in Athens, the specialist serves as the primary contact for assigned labs, supports facilities management, and helps develop and deliver safety training and educational programs.

Qualifications

Proven professionalism and integrity in safety/compliance functions
Ability to work with diverse campus labs and staff
Strong written and oral communication for reports and meetings

Responsibilities

Perform laboratory safety assessments and inventories across campus
Serve as primary contact for assigned labs on facilities and compliance issues
Prepare clear reports, findings, and recommendations
Deliver safety training and educational programs
Lead safety improvements using qualitative and quantitative metrics
Respond to critical safety situations and incidents
Assist with on-site safety audits and compliance documentation

Skills

Safety compliance

Customer service

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Report writing

Problem solving

Safety training delivery

Data/metrics use

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access)

Job description

Posting Details

Posting Number S15672P Working Title Safety and Compliance Specialist Department VPR-Research Safety About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, additional hours may be required when on call

Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience

Posting Date 10/09/2026

Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title EHS Technician II FLSA Non-Exempt FTE 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of related experience

Position Summary

With minimal supervision, the Safety & Compliance Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive environmental health and safety services to academic and teaching laboratories, ensuring that the University maintains compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and accepted best practices. The role will maintain a high degree of professionalism and integrity in representing the University, modeling a culture of safety in all interactions with the campus community. The position maintains a strong working knowledge of applicable regulations and will serve as the primary point of contact for an assigned set of laboratories, assisting them with issues related to facilities management and other compliance offices. This is an onsite position and is not eligible for a telework option.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And/or Competencies

Proven professionalism and integrity in representing safety and/or compliance offices or programs
Leadership aptitude including clear focus on customer service as well as safety and compliance; ability to work within a strong and effective team across discipline boundaries
Experience in active consensus-building and safety negotiation; ability to grasp needs and concerns and provide multiple solutions to complex problems.
Takes initiative to perform recurring tasks dictated by established procedures and performs newly assigned tasks as needed.
Outstanding human relations and leadership skills and the ability to function in a team environment.
Work independently, with minimal supervision on multiple simultaneous projects.
Professional oral and written communication skills.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations along with superior oral presentation and other communication skills.
Ability to implement continuous quality improvement through the use of relevant qualitative and quantitative metrics in assessing compliance and performance.
Ability to use electronic safety, compliance, and research administration platforms; word processing, database, spreadsheet; and presentation programs
Working knowledge of State and Federal environmental health and safety regulations as well as nationally accepted standards, guidelines, and other related conventions on safety and compliance.
Ability to respond to critical safety and compliance situations appropriately.
Be able to assist with developing and delivering service training and educational programs in applicable programmatic areas.
Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously due to the diversity of safety and compliance services and the wide-range of potential work locations on campus.
Proficient in the performance and documentation of chemical and laboratory safety assessments.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Access.
Ability to use standard business office computer equipment and software.
Possess a driver’s license that is valid in the State of Georgia

Physical Demands

Work in a variety of physical environments, including weather extremes, chemical/biological/radiological laboratories, animal care and use facilities, etc.
Perform emergency response activities, including but not limited to wearing personal protective equipment such as a respirator, climbing stairs, and occasionally lifting up to 25 lbs.
Stand, walk, and negotiate occasional awkward work locations and paths of travel.
Periodically perform short duration physical exertions, including light-medium lifting, reaching, squatting, pushing, pulling, stair or ladder climbing, etc. in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, or incident response

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Percentage of time 70 Duties/Responsibilities

Performs laboratory safety assessments, inventory audits, and consultations for academic and teaching labs as well as core facilities.
Serves and supports the University’s mission in chemical safety and general lab safety.
Reports assessment findings, maintains regulatory required records, and effectively utilizes safety, compliance, and research administration platforms.
Works in potentially hazardous environments utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment. Identifies unsafe conditions and practices, and makes engineering, work practice, and administrative improvement recommendations.
Conducting these assessments for all of UGA’s extended sites does require 1-3 overnight trips per year.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities

Prepare and deliver training sessions covering chemical safety, laboratory safety, and other EH&S related topics.
This could include delivering instructor-led training as well as the development of self-paced training modules and safety-related announcements and communications.
Serve as a local administrator for the Learning Management System within the Office of Research Safety.

Percentage of time 10 Duties/Responsibilities

Member of Hazardous Materials Spill Response Team/On-call After-Hours PREHS Rotation.
Participates in an Incident response team, responding to releases and spills of hazardous chemicals, Infectious agents, radioactive materials, and /or other environmental releases while wearing personal protective equipment including, but not limited to a respirator, pass physical fitness medical evaluation and lift at least 25 lbs. above the head.
Position involves being part of the On-call Rotation and assignment for After-Hours, Weekend and Holiday Emergency Response. Communicates and coordinates with campus police and local first responders.

Percentage of time 5

Assisting with special projects as needed and assigned by the department.

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact Name Lisa Kelly Recruitment Contact Email lmkelly@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Applicant Documents

Required Documents