Safety Officer

Harvard University; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance and reimbursement

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Harvard University seeks an experienced EHS professional to serve as a liaison for schools and departments, providing technical support and program oversight across Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) disciplines.

You will develop safety plans, conduct inspections, investigate incidents, and assist in training and documentation. The role requires strong regulatory knowledge, data analysis, and effective communication within a fast-paced university environment.

Qualifications

• BS or BA in occupational safety, environmental science or related field or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years of safety/EHS experience in industrial or institutional settings.
• Strong working knowledge of federal, state and local health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Experience implementing safety programs and training.

Responsibilities

• Serve as EHS liaison for schools/departments and support local EHS program maintenance.
• Develop and implement school/department safety and compliance plans with calendars.
• Oversee one or more EHS programs including regulatory analysis, SOPs, and guidance documents.
• Coordinate inspections, accident investigations, and corrective action planning.
• Develop training materials, maintain records and assist with emergency management.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Safety program implementation

Training delivery

Communication skills

Data analysis

Emergency response

Field inspections

Education

BS/B.A. in occupational safety

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Database management

HTML/Web tools

Job description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join Harvard University Central Administration?

Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.

This position provides technical and operational support for the University’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) programs to minimize risks and ensure compliance with EHS laws and regulations.

Primary responsibilities include serving as an EHS service liaison for schools/departments, providing technical support, conducting EHS inspections, investigating workplace injuries and illnesses, providing direct oversight to one or more EHS programs, and participating on EHS project teams.

Work requires building and maintaining excellent customer relationships and maintaining technical expertise in technical disciplines, direct customer support and technical guidance, development and maintenance of University programs and other related technical documentation, development and delivery of training, collecting data and performing trending and other analysis, creating and maintaining school/department's specific Safety and Compliance Management Plans, report generation for internal and external customers, and serving as regulatory interface with local, state, and federal EHS agencies.

• Designated as EHS Liaison for schools/departments to provide EHS services and assist schools/departments with their local implementation/maintenance of EHS programs. Must maintain competence in variety of EHS programs to address multiple EHS issues at schools/departments.
• Develops and implements school/department specific Safety and Compliance Management Plans to include operational calendars to identify internal and external compliance deadlines. Participates as part of the EHS core services team in the provision and support of University-wide EHS programs.
• Provides direct oversight to one or more EHS programs. Routine tasks include:
  • Regulatory analysis for program applicability and tracking of regulatory changes
  • Development of written program materials including SOPs and technical guidance documents (fact sheets, Q&A, etc.), web materials, etc.
  • Cross-training of fellow EHS staff members, as required
  • Promotes the elements of a positive safety culture in all actions and communications.
• Field-related, non-routine support activities include emergency response, inspections/assessments, data gathering/verification, hazard assessments, field IH/safety/indoor air quality monitoring and ergonomic/job safety analysis including "walk-throughs" and piloting of new processes. Conducts investigations and evaluations of problem areas and develops corrective action plans for review.
• Conducts and/or coordinates periodic EHS inspections, provides summary reports to EHS management.
• Develops compliance documentation, reports and EHS management system tools including computer-based tools, compliance calendars, roles/responsibility matrices, etc.
• Issues routine EHS service update reports to schools/departments contacts.
• Serves as an active member of the Facilities Safety Committee providing presentations on EHS programs or other support, as needed.Assists designated schools/departments with committee projects/initiatives.
• Participates with various EHS projects and teams, as needed.
• Assists with implementation of accident prevention and medical surveillance programs. Investigates accidents and near miss incidents and develops corrective action strategies and proposals. Compiles accident records and statistics for management.
• Assists in the development, delivery and maintenance of training programs, records, databases, and other documentation.
• Participates in EHS emergency management program as responder.
• Periodically inspects, calibrates, and maintains safety/environmental equipment and instrumentation.

Working Conditions:

• Participate in EH&S Emergency Response Team on a rotating basis.
• Will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours with other EHS staff
• Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects

Emergency Status Designation:

• Critical Operations Personnel

Physical Requirements:

• Must be capable of wearing University-supplied negative pressure respiratory protection equipment or equivalent.

• Must be able to work in confined spaces, on ladders, and at heights, and demonstrate the use of safety equipment.

Basic Qualifications

• BS or BA in occupational safety, environmental science or related field or an equivalency of professional training, certifications, and work experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of safety/EHS-related experience both practical and theoretical based in industrial / institutional safety and environmental compliance or an equivalency of professional training, certifications, and related work experience.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of federal, state and local occupational health, safety and environmental regulations.
• Familiar with the implementing and assessment of occupational health, safety, and/or environmental compliance programs. A strong focus on safety program implementation for diverse clients.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including training program delivery.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced operations environment, handling multiple assignments for independent operating units.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Progress demonstrated towards obtaining a professional certification (e.g. CSP/CHMM/CIH/PE, etc.) is preferred.
• Experience with HTML or other Web tools is preferred.

Technology Skills Required

• Must be proficient in the use of technology and computers, including Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Must be proficient in database management.

Standard Hours/Schedule:

• 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information:

• Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening:

• Identity, Education, Criminal, Drug Test, and References

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.