Director, Physical Environment & Life Safety

Job Description Summary

The Director, Physical Environment & Life Safety provides leadership oversight for the organization's comprehensive physical environment and life safety programs. This role ensures a safe and compliant environment of care for patients, staff, visitors, and the community while driving continuous readiness for regulatory compliance related to the physical environment and safety including The Joint Commission (TJC), CMS, OSHA, EPA, NFPA and applicable state and local regulations.

Reporting directly to the Sr. Director, Physical Safety & Operational Resilience, the Director serves as the primary expert and accountable leader for the Physical Environment/Environment of Care (EOC) and Life Safety.

• Provide leadership and direction for the Physical Environment (Environment of Care) and Life Safety programs, ensuring alignment with TJC standards and best practices across all six functional areas (safety, security, hazardous materials & waste, fire safety, medical equipment, and utilities).
• Provide executive‑level reporting on compliance risks, trends, and improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the programs mentioned above while setting strategic oversight for required risk assessments, environmental tours, performance indicators, and corrective action processes as it relates to the physical environment.
• Ensure robust compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC), OSHA, EPA, NFPA Life Safety Code, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations through proactive audits, mock surveys, and survey readiness activities.
• Collaborate closely with Facilities/Plant Operations, Infection Prevention, Risk Management, Clinical Leadership, Protective Services, Care Site & System Leaders and other departments to integrate safety and emergency preparedness into daily operations, capital planning, and new construction/renovation projects.
• Develop, manage, and optimize departmental budgets, resources, and cross‑functional teams while fostering a strong culture of safety, just culture, and continuous improvement.
• Through the safety officers, support needs of the emergency management and EHS programs as determined by the Senior Director, Physical Safety & Operational Resilience.
• Foster an environment of learning for safety team members to allow for growth and experience in a high reliability organization.
• Provide expertise to the Sr. Director, Physical Safety & Operational Resilience for interacting, responding, or addressing regulatory needs during interactions with outside agency visits.
• Build working relationships with leaders across the system for supporting a safe healing, visiting, and working environment.
• Develop direct report leaders and associates for future personal and departmental growth.
• Supports a positive culture and encourages engagement through building trust, respect and empowerment of leaders and associates.
• Ensure staff education, training, and competency related to physical environment, life safety, and safety across all levels and locations of the organization.
• Serve as the liaison to the Sr. Director, Physical Safety & Operational Resilience with accrediting bodies, regulators, and surveyors related to EOC, life safety, and workforce safety.
• Lead mock surveys, regulatory readiness activities, and continuous compliance monitoring to sustain high performance and survey readiness as it pertains to the Physical Environment.
• As a High Reliability Organization (HRO), responsibilities require focus on safety, quality and efficiency in performing job duties.

Master's Degree (Required)
CHSP
- Certified Healthcare Safety Professional
- International Board for Certification of Safety Managers

• Knowledge of TJC, OSHA, ODOT, CMS, EPA, and NFPA regulations
• Advanced understanding of healthcare Environment of Care functional areas, hazardous materials management, life safety systems
• Knowledge of the physical environment and life safety in the healthcare, ambulatory, and business occupancies

Work Shift: Day

Scheduled Weekly

Hours:

40

Department: Safety Management

Ohio Health is an equal opportunity employer and fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. Ohio Health does not discriminate against associates or applicants because of race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, military status, pregnancy, disability, marital status, familial status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Equal employment is extended to all person in all aspects of the associate‑employer relationship including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, reduction in staff, termination, assignment of benefits, and any other term or condition of employment.