Director of Campus Safety and Fire Prevention

Title: Dir Campus Safety Fire Prevent

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Environmental Health & Safety

Department: Environmental Health & Safety

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Environmental Health and Safety and Emergency Management, the Director of Campus Safety and Fire Prevention is responsible for leading the workplace safety, fire prevention, and construction safety management programs. The Director develops vision, policy, and operational frameworks that promote a safe, compliant, and healthy campus environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Director is responsible for interpreting and applying State Building and Fire Codes, OSHA regulations, and related federal, state, and local safety requirements, and for leading institution-wide initiatives that reduce risk, prevent injury, and ensure regulatory compliance. The Director collaborates closely with campus partners, senior leadership, external agencies, and contracted vendors to ensure campus safety standards are clearly communicated, consistently applied, and continuously improved.

Essential Functions

Serves as a senior leader within the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) department, contributing to the overall strategic planning, goal setting, and performance measurement of the organization. Collaborates with other EHS directors and managers to ensure program alignment, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement in service delivery.

Oversees the campus-wide safety and fire prevention programs. Evaluates program effectiveness and recommends policy, procedural, and operational improvements. Develops and maintains systems for reporting, analyzing, and communicating safety performance metrics and trends.

Directs the construction safety management program, including review and approval of contractor safety programs, coordination of contractor safety orientation, and evaluation of site-specific safety plans, ensuring consistency across construction and renovation projects.

Directs and maintains the University's confined space entry program to ensure compliance with OSHA standards. Coordinates atmospheric testing requirements, emergency rescue planning, and contractor oversight related to confined space entry.

Develops and delivers training programs, workshops, and communication strategies to promote a strong and proactive safety culture among faculty, staff, and students. Leads outreach efforts to increase awareness of fire prevention, accident prevention, and safe work practices.

Provides technical leadership in emergency and after-hours response activities involving safety or fire prevention concerns. Coordinates with regulatory authorities and campus partners, leads or supports incident investigations, prepares official reports, and ensures corrective actions are implemented and tracked.

Serves as the University's subject matter expert for workplace safety, fire safety, and related regulatory standards. Interprets and applies OSHA regulations, state building code requirements, and other applicable laws. Advises senior leadership, departments, and project managers on compliance requirements, risk mitigation strategies, and best practices.

Represents the department in institutional initiatives and committees focused on safety culture, risk reduction, and research excellence.

Other Functions

Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives.

Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance or the responsibilities of the position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure; maintains confidentiality of all information related to patients, medical staff, and employees.

Works with Human Resources, Labor Relations, and union officials to resolve personnel matters; participates as second step hearing officer and represents the department in grievance investigations, hearings, and arbitrations.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and six years of work experience in workplace safety, fire prevention, industrial safety, construction safety oversight, or related regulatory fields.

Ability to function with minimal oversight to achieve established goals and objectives.

Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and work ethic. Ability to develop cooperative working relationships with the campus community. Demonstrated ability to educate others in safe work

Experience developing and implementing safety programs, conducting hazard assessments, and leading compliance or risk-reduction initiatives

Valid driver's license and ability to pass a baseline physical exam.

Excellent communication skills including oral presentations and technical writing abilities. Proficient in the use of technology.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a laboratory or healthcare setting and may involve…