Construction Safety Officer

Job Summary

The Construction Safety Officer reports to the Assistant Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) and oversees safety programs for capital and institutional projects. Embedded within project teams, the role identifies, evaluates, and facilitates the timely mitigation of construction-related risks, emphasizing coordination, communication, and protection of faculty, staff, students, and visitors throughout all project phases.

Annual salary ranges from $52,200 to $63,000, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.

• Serve as the EH&S representative on construction projects, providing safety guidance from planning through closeout.
• Review and evaluate contractors’ safety training programs, attend training sessions on site, and ensure contractors meet safety program requirements.
• Work closely with project teams to identify risks and integrate safety into all phases.
• Develop and implement safety programs and coordinate environmental site assessments and pre‑construction hazard evaluations.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure safe conditions and compliance.
• Monitor construction activities, identify hazards and potential impacts to occupants, and collaborate with project teams to implement timely corrective actions.
• Assess construction impacts on building occupants (e.g., utilities, egress, fire/life safety, air quality, noise).
• Coordinate with the Office of Facilities Management (OFM) and EH&S to ensure clear stakeholder communication and implement controls to protect faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
• Coordinate and track required safety permits (e.g., hot work, fire impairments) to ensure compliance with university policies and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as liaison between EH&S, project teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure consistent safety implementation.
• Communicate risks and mitigation strategies and provide guidance on safety protocols and expectations.
• Maintain applicable records, including but not limited to inspections, consistent with department, university, and regulatory agency guidelines.
• Must be able to drive a university vehicle.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific field related to a safety discipline, and at least two (2) years of demonstrated experience in construction safety or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental health, construction management, or a related field and three (3) years’ experience leading, supporting, or implementing construction safety programs at a university or similar institution.

• Requires strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local construction safety regulations, loss prevention, and insurance.
• Ability to work independently while embedded within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Ability to read construction design drawings.
• Must be able to establish and develop effective working relationships with project managers and contractors.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects and make sound decisions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to obtain and maintain 40‑hour HAZWOPER certification.
• Ability to pass a pulmonary function test and be medically cleared to wear a respirator.
• Class “C” operator’s driver’s license and a current three‑year driving record from the state of residence; if not Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.

• Working on construction sites and exposed to all associated safety risks inherent therein.
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards, chemicals, chemical fumes, radiation, and/or biohazards.
• Position may require the employee to work with or be in areas where varied hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases are present.
• May require the employee to wear protective clothing in circumstances that require personal protection.

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and additional benefits as detailed on the university’s benefit portal. Total compensation includes all eligible benefits.

UT Austin works to provide an educational and working environment that offers equal opportunity to all members of the community. In accordance with federal and state law, the university prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against those who oppose discriminatory practices is prohibited.