Environment Health & Safety Specialist

Job Description

The Environmental Health & Safety Specialist supports USF programs and initiatives associated with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations as well as USF System policies and procedures for the safe and compliant management of university laboratories and associated research activities. The EH&S Specialist works collaboratively with other EH&S program areas and external departments to develop, implement, and sustain environmental health and safety programs that promote student success and research advancement by protecting life, property, and the environment.

• Conducts safety and compliance inspections, incident investigations, writes associated reports, and assists laboratory/research operations in maintaining compliance with applicable regulations and USF policies.
• Delivers, tracks, and reports on required training programs related to laboratory safety and hazardous waste management.
• Assists with the maintenance of the USF chemical inventory tracking system, including implementation, chemical clean-outs, receiving, QA/QC, and data entry.
• Conducts fume hood testing and assists researchers with completion of service requests for fume hood maintenance.
• Provides back‑up and assistance to hazardous waste specialists, including waste pick‑ups, emergency response support for minor hazardous material releases.
• Performs other duties as necessary to support the overall mission of EH&S and the University of South Florida.

High school diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in a research, research compliance, or safety compliance program. An Associate’s degree may substitute for two years of the required experience. A Bachelor’s Degree may substitute for the required experience, with four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.

• Senate Bill 1310:
  Substitution of work experience for postsecondary education requirements—public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
  • Two years of direct experience for an associate degree.
  • Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
  • Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree.
  • Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree.
  • Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for this position.
• Minimum qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

B.S. in Natural Science or Public Health. Two (2) years of experience in environmental health & safety regulatory compliance with direct experience in research/laboratory safety, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and biomedical waste management.

RCRA hazardous waste training, DOT hazardous materials transportation training, biomedical waste training, 40‑hour HAZWOPER, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, OSHA Lab Standard, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

This position has been designated as Essential Personnel and may require participation in preparedness/response/recovery activities outside normal work hours, including university closings, in response to major emergencies or natural disasters affecting USF operations.

Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check may be required. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. The University of South Florida is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law. Programs are in place for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.