Entry Level Occupational Health Safety Jobs in Oregon

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
Job no: 536833
Work type: Classified Staff
Location: Eugene, OR
Categories: Facilities/Grounds/Skilled Trades, Other
Department: Safety and Risk Services
Classification: Environ Health Safety Pro 2
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $28.75 - $44.00 per hour
FTE: 1.0
Review of Applications Begins
August 12, 2026; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application. A complete application must include:
1. An online application
2. A current resume
3. A cover letter highlighting how your skills and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications
We are interested in finding the best candidate for this position. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't think you meet every one of our preferred qualifications. Use your application to let us know what is meaningful to you about the role and what transferable skills or other qualities you would bring to the position.
If you have questions about the application process or the position, please reach out to fass@uoregon.edu.
Department Summary
The Division of Safety and Risk Services (SRS) is a unit within the Finance and Administration portfolio. Finance and Administration is a vibrant and varied portfolio serving all aspects of campus life. Our employees perform a wide range of functions, including offering essential financial tools and support to the university's many departments, providing key resources to employees, and keeping the campus safe, clean, accessible, and beautiful.
SRS's mission is to collaborate with all campus constituents (students, staff, faculty, and visitors) and the surrounding community, to safeguard life and health and mitigate threats to the University's core mission of academic excellence, research, and public service. Safety and Risk Services comprises Emergency Management and Continuity, Enterprise Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Location Innovation Lab - Campus Mapping, Risk Management and Insurance, and the University of Oregon Police Department. SRS fulfills its mission by providing a variety of professional services, technical assistance, training, and regulatory oversight.
Position Summary
The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist applies general knowledge of occupational health and occupational safety to support programs and professional services EH&S provides to the university. This position supports the development, implementation and evaluation of university occupational health programs, and supports workflow coordination and customer service functions within the department of Environmental Health and Safety.
This position is responsible for daily administration of EHS occupational health program operations providing services to animal handlers, hazardous materials workers, worker hearing conservation, and other safety programs where employee participation in an occupational health monitoring program is required. It provides explanation of procedures, evaluation of enrollment requests, scheduling of provider services, assessment of occupational health exam results, maintenance of program records and reporting, and assists program leads with periodic program review.
This position performs job-related decision making within the occupational health program and occupational safety training program, including assessing whether specific situations comply with various rules and regulations regarding employee, visitor, and student safety and health. Decisions are made in conjunction with evaluation of available data, including operating procedures, conditions and hazards.
The Occupational Health & Safety Specialist conducts EHS safety training program operations and provides basic training on occupational health and safety policies and procedures, provides explanation of training requirements, evaluation of supervisor's employee hazard assessments, schedules EHS trainers and training facilities, reviews and analyzes training data, reports training metrics, and assists program leads with continuous improvement of training programs.
This position also conducts safety data sheet maintenance for the Hazard Communication Program, provides explanation of program requirements, provides oversight and maintenance of the safety data sheet database, provides training on use of database software, and coordinates with departments and vendors to ensure data accuracy.
In coordination with committee chair and EHS and Risk Management program leads, this position provides professional support to the university safety advisory committees, attends meetings, tracks completion of action items, and assists with periodic program review.
A key responsibility of the position is to provide customer service coordination for various EHS safety programs, providing immediate triage to prioritize response and connect customers with available resources. The position works with program leads to ensure timely response and after-action follow-up and closure, and conducts other duties as assigned by supervisor in support of a safe and healthful campus.
Safety and Risk Services provides essential services during time of emergency and inclement weather. This position may be required to fulfill essential services and functions during these times. This position has a flexible work schedule. As such, the incumbent must be available to work various shifts and/or hours, including weekends and holidays, with minimal notice.
It is an essential requirement of this position to qualify for and maintain UO driver's certification eligibility, which includes maintaining an Oregon driver's license throughout employment in this position.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor's degree with primary focus (45 quarter hours or 32 semester hours) in the physical sciences; AND
• Two years of related professional experience in environmental, health, or safety, OR
• A satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or professional certifications.
Graduate level courses in the subject areas may be substituted, on a credit-hour basis, for a portion of the experience. Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses.
Professional Competencies
• Perform duties in a way that advances and supports the mission of the department and university.
• Work effectively in a diverse team environment and create effective relationships for problem solving and positive interactions.
• Ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and secure sensitive and confidential information.
• Take initiative, looking for what needs to be done and doing it.
• Pay close attention to detail.
• Maintain a safe and safety-conscious workplace.
• Maintain a respectful workplace and model a positive and proactive attitude.
• Model the highest ethical standards.
• Provide superior customer service.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience managing occupational health or medical records.
• Preference may be given to applicants who have completed graduate-level courses or have additional experience in Industrial Hygiene, or in occupational, public, or environmental programs.
FLSA Exempt: No
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
This is a classified position represented by the SEIU Local 503, Oregon Public Employees Union.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online.
Advertised: July 21, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: