Occupational Health Safety Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Posting Details
Posting Details
Job #
042749
Department Code
31072-0048
Department
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Job Title
Associate Director, Occupational Health & Safety
Location
Syracuse, NY
Campus
Syracuse, NY
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$95,000 - $100,000
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate's education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university's strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level
S5
FLSA Status
Exempt
Hours
Standard University business hours
8:30am - 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am - 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type
Full-time
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
The Associate Director, Occupational Health & Safety is a senior technical and operational leader within the Emergency and Environmental Risk Services (EERS) division, responsible for directing the University's occupational health and safety programs. This position provides strategic and programmatic leadership for the OHS function and serves as the institutional subject matter authority on occupational hazard assessment, process safety, safety engineering, and OSHA regulatory compliance.
Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Emergency and Environmental Risk Services, the Associate Director exercises direct supervision over an Occupational Health & Safety Manager and an Occupational Health & Safety Specialist. The position operates as a peer to the Associate Director of Research Safety, with a formal collaborative relationship to ensure OHS program coverage supports the University's research safety operational needs.
Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in safety engineering, occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related engineering or technical discipline; master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in occupational health and safety, safety engineering, or industrial safety, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or program management capacity.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or on track to obtain, preferred.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing multi-program safety and health portfolios in complex, multi-use organizational environments.
• HAZWOPER 24 or 40-hour certification required or commitment to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Successful candidate is expected to establish their principal residence in the Central New York area within approximately a 30-minute driving distance from Syracuse University.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of OSHA, NFPA, and ANSI/AIHA occupational health and safety standards.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in physical and process safety hazard assessment, including electrical systems, high-voltage environments, crane and hoist operations, and process hazard analysis methodologies (PHA/HAZOP).
• Familiarity with NRTL certification processes.
• Experience in a research university, academic medical center, national laboratory (e.g., DOE/LBNL/SLAC model), or other complex multi-mission research environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and analytical skills and strong attention to detail and organizational and time management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a diverse campus population and to work autonomously in a highly matrixed, decentralized, and complex work environment.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in support of all aspects of the EERS division.
• Strong data management skills with the ability to maintain accurate compliance records and interpret analytical data.
• Valid NYS Driver's license with a driving record that meets University requirements; position requires periodic field work in support of regulated waste and incident response operations.
• Medically fit and able to wear respiratory protection.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive direction, operational oversight, and strategic planning for the University's OHS programs, establishing clear program goals, performance metrics, and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff; manages hiring, performance, and professional development.
• Serves as the primary OHS liaison to the AVP of EERS and senior University leadership, providing regular program status updates, risk reporting, and resource advocacy.
• Represents EERS in University governance bodies, planning committees, and cross-functional working groups, providing OHS input and expertise.
• Collaborates directly with the Associate Director of Research Safety to ensure OHS programs are fully integrated with and supportive of the University's research safety operations, including physical hazard assessment, equipment safety, and OSHA compliance in research laboratory and shop environments.
• Works collaboratively with University safety professionals and campus partners to advance a coordinated and comprehensive approach to health and safety across the institution.
• Develops, implements, and continuously improves OSHA-mandated occupational health and safety programs for research, instructional, and operational environments, with focus areas including electrical safety, control of hazardous energy, machine guarding, ladder safety, pressure vessels, heat illness prevention, and hearing and respiratory protection.
• Establishes clear program ownership and governance for OSHA programs; leads safety committees to strengthen continuity and address compliance gaps.
• Monitors and interprets federal and state regulatory requirements, including OSHA rulemaking, NYS DOL guidance, and ANSI/AIHA standards, and applies them across the University.
• Directs and ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local OHS laws and regulations; maintains current and effective internal policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Serves as the University's primary liaison with OSHA, regulatory agencies, and legal counsel.
• Maintains strong communication with Facilities, Auxiliary Services, and research units on program requirements, emerging risks, and corrective actions.
• Develops and delivers OHS training programs aligned with regulatory requirements and tailored to University operations.
• Serves as the institutional subject matter expert on physical and process safety hazards, with technical authority over the EERS health and safety program portfolio.
• Leads proactive hazard analyses, including Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), to identify and mitigate occupational risks across University operations.
• Reviews and approves engineering controls, personal protective equipment, safety specifications, and equipment installations to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, ANSI/NFPA codes, and manufacturer requirements.
• Evaluates new and existing facilities, equipment, and processes for safety engineering compliance; develops and implements corrective action plans to address deficiencies.
• Partners with Facilities Services, capital project managers, purchasing, and academic units to integrate safety engineering into construction, renovation, and procurement processes.
• Oversees industrial hygiene programs, including exposure assessment, sampling, monitoring, and controls for physical and chemical hazards.
• Designs, implements, and maintains an Equipment Safety Evaluation Program (ESEP) to assess and authorize laboratory and research equipment lacking U.S. NRTL certification.
• Leads or oversees investigations of workplace injuries, illnesses, near-misses, and safety incidents; conducts root cause analyses and ensures corrective and preventive actions are identified, assigned, and completed.
• Develops and tracks leading and lagging safety performance indicators; reports trends, program metrics, and corrective action status to EERS leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Directs or participates in response to significant occupational safety incidents and campus emergencies, including 24/7 response or notification: coordinates with public safety, facilities, risk management, and external agencies.
• Provides oversight and support for EHSS response to environmental incidents, hazardous material spills, and regulated waste emergencies, including after-hours response.
• Supports development and maintenance of emergency action plans, occupational safety programs, and preparedness training and exercises.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University's 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University's contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/112878
Job Posting Date
04/27/2026
Application Deadline
Full Consideration By
Job Category
Staff
Message to Applicants
Syracuse University is interested in candidates who have the communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to maximize their effectiveness with diverse groups of colleagues, students and community members. Women, military veterans, individ