Sr. Compliance Safety Officer

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech Environmental Health & Safety seeks a Sr. Compliance Safety Officer to coordinate health and safety programs across numerous locations in Virginia and support emergency management efforts.

You will conduct inspections, perform hazard assessments, and lead training to ensure compliance with federal and state safety regulations. The role requires an advanced degree or equivalent experience, strong documentation skills, and the ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in science, engineering, life sciences or public health, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate health and safety programs and modules across multiple sites.
• Conduct hazard assessments, inspections and incident investigations.
• Provide training and consultation to departments to ensure compliance with OSHA/ANSI/NIOSH guidelines.
• Prepare technical reports and maintain program documentation.
• Travel across Virginia and report to Blacksburg periodically; build cross‑university collaborations.

Skills

Computer proficiency

Safety program coordination

Regulatory knowledge

Inspection and audit

Communication

Project management

Education

Advanced degree in science/engineering/health

Job description

Job Description

The Public Safety Division has a critical role in supporting the well‑being of our community. Comprised of the Police Department, Environmental Health & Safety, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors that maximizes everyone’s opportunity for success. Through collaboration, dedication, training, and community engagement, we strive to provide a comprehensive and responsive approach in our public safety programs. Our mission of advancing safety, security, health and preparedness is anchored by the Virginia Tech Principles of Community. These fundamental values of mutual respect, civility, and service are foundational to our programs and are exemplified in our interactions with the campus community.

The Sr. Compliance Safety Officer serves Virginia Tech Environmental Health & Safety by coordinating health and safety programs outside of the Blacksburg/Roanoke region. Locations include but are not limited to:

• 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs)
• 6 4‑H Educational Centers
• 107 Cooperative Extension offices
• Equine Medical Center, Leesburg
• Children’s National Hospital Research Center, Washington DC
• Academic Building 1, Alexandria
• Washington Alexandria Architectural Center (WAAC)
• Arlington Research Center, Arlington
• Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Labs, Manassas
• Other satellite locations owned by Virginia Tech

While this position is based in Northern Virginia, the incumbent will travel across the Commonwealth routinely and will report in person in Blacksburg several times a year with advanced notice.

The incumbent supports compliant and safe operations through hazard assessments, consultation, training, inspections, and incident investigations using EHS’s Safety Management System (SMS) and EHS Assistant. The incumbent also builds and maintains collaborative relationships with university departments to advance the division’s mission.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Offsite Services, the Sr. Compliance Safety Officer partners with faculty and staff to implement and sustain a broad range of established EHS occupational safety programs, including but not limited to:

• General and workplace safety programs
• Equipment and operations safety (aerial lifts, powered industrial trucks, chain saws, machine shops, welding)
• Environmental and exposure programs (hazard communication, pesticide safety, indoor air quality, hearing conservation, heat stress)
• Physical and operational hazard controls (confined spaces, electrical safety, fall protection, ladders, lockout/tagout, scaffolds)
• Agricultural, field, and farm safety
• Personal protective equipment and respiratory protection
• Fire and life safety and ergonomics

The Sr. Compliance Safety Officer also supports Emergency Management by assisting with the delivery of program‑specific training and education related to emergency preparedness, mitigation, business continuity, and disaster response across the Virginia Tech community.

The incumbent also performs other duties as requested; takes initiative to support a healthy work environment; strives to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct; exemplifies the Virginia Tech Principles of Community; and supports the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Required Qualifications

Education

• An advanced degree with an emphasis in science, engineering, life sciences or public health, or a combination of formal education and professional experience equivalent to an advanced degree.

Experience

• Demonstrated computer proficiency (creating documents, using spreadsheets and databases)
• Prior experience in occupational safety and health
• Knowledge of applicable occupational health and safety regulations and guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to conduct inspections and identify unsafe work practices or conditions and make recommendations

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to monitor facilities and processes for compliance and interpret and implement applicable occupational health and safety regulations and guidelines as published by OSHA, ANSI, NIOSH, ACGIH, EPA, DOT
• Ability to recognize safety hazards and develop effective mitigation controls
• Ability to prepare technical reports

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must be available to travel to various sites throughout Virginia 50% of the time. On occasion, will have travel that may require overnight stays.
• Ability to convey safety information, instructions and potential hazards to all personnel, both orally and in writing
• Strong ability to present information clearly
• Strong ability to manage documentation, records and coordinate multiple EHS initiatives simultaneously
• Strong ability to navigate interpersonal dynamics, build trust and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills and customer service

Physical Fitness

• Will be required to participate in the Occupational Health Medical program
• Ability to safely move and handle up to 50 pounds
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, walk on uneven terrain, and lift heavy objects
• Ability to squat, bend or crawl or reach to identify potential hazards
• Must be able to use a respirator and wear appropriate PPE

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, public health, environmental sciences, or related science
• Current certification as a Certified Health Professional (CHP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• Experience shipping hazardous materials

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Up to $120,000

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

Rolling review

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

Accommodations

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Megan Hinkle at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.