Safety Specialist I

University of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Paid time off

Retirement savings

Employee discounts

Education assistance

Job summary

University of Central Florida is seeking a Safety Specialist I to help provide chemical safety services to the UCF community. The role requires occasional after-hours adjustment for training, vendor appointments, and incident response.

Expect on-site work with a regular M-F schedule in Orlando, FL. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma with 2+ years of related experience, and a bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or Equivalent; 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental studies, industrial hygiene, safety, engineering, or related field.
• 4 years of experience in a laboratory research or safety compliance program (preferred).
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to identify unsafe working conditions through on-site inspections.
• Knowledge of routine laboratory operations, chemical nomenclature, and chemical properties.
• Knowledge of hazard communication and chemical inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Assist with data entry, vendor and catalog information, verification and reconciliation of chemical inventory in campus laboratories, shops, studios and service areas.
• Assist with Safety Data Sheet (SDS) file management (paper and electronic).
• Perform compliance inspections related to safety and hazardous material storage and use; prepare reports; monitor corrective action dates; and follow-up with supervisors and departments.
• Assist in providing chemical safety guidance and training to the university community.
• Perform surveying/sampling activities for potentially contaminated areas; assist in response to investigation and follow-up on incidents.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Hazard awareness

Laboratory safety

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental studies, industrial hygiene, safety, engineering, or related field

Job description

The Opportunity

Environmental Health and Safety seeks a Safety Specialist I to join their team. This position will assist the Environmental Health & Safety department in providing chemical safety services to the UCF community. This position requires occasional adjustment in work schedule due to training responsibilities, vendor appointments, and incident response needs that occur outside of normal work hours.

Responsibilities

• Assist with data entry, vendor and catalog information, verification and reconciliation of chemical inventory in campus laboratories, shops, studios and service areas.
• Assist with Safety Data Sheet (SDS) file management (paper and electronic).
• Perform compliance inspections related to safety and hazardous material storage and use; prepare reports; monitor completion dates of corrective action plans; and provide follow‑up with supervisors and departments to ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Assist in providing chemical safety guidance and training to the university community.
• Perform surveying/sampling activities for potentially contaminated areas; assist in response to investigation, and follow‑up on laboratory and environmental incidents, accidents, and spills.
• Assist in shipping, receiving, and delivery of hazardous materials/dangerous goods for laboratory community including laboratory/radioactive waste collection, processing, classification, and tracking.
• Assist in updating applicable internal documents.
• Provide support as essential personnel as the need arises. Assist with other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or Equivalent and 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental studies, industrial hygiene, safety, engineering, or a related field.
• 4 years of experience in a laboratory research or safety compliance program.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to identify unsafe working conditions and practices through on‑site inspections.
• Knowledge of routine laboratory operations, chemical nomenclature, and chemical properties.
• Ability to research, interpret, and apply technical information to prepare clear, concise reports with logical supporting information to justify decisions and recommendations.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local health and safety codes applicable to laboratory settings, hazardous materials storage, and general industry safety principles.
• Knowledge of hazard communication and chemical inventory management.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next‑generation public research university and Forbes‑ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance
• And more...For more benefits information, view theUCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculatorto discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Department

Environmental Health and Safety - Chemical Safety and Security

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$23.33 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

11-13-2026-12-00-AM

Veteran's Preference:

Preference will be given to eligible veterans and their eligible spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of the Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation by the closing date of the position. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://hr.ucf.edu/files/VeteransPreference.pdf

• The anticipated hourly rate for this position is $23.33 hourly ($42,722 annually) to negotiable. The final amount will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations.
• Position requires a valid Class E driver's license. This position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.
• All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
• This role requires the successful candidate to work on‑site at UCF as their primary work location. On‑site presence is an essential function of this role.

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke‑free campus and an E-Verify employer.