Safety Director Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a visionary and collaborative senior-level Director to lead the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Division in the Laboratory's Operations Directorate.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Lab Director, this critical role enables Berkeley Lab's world-leading scientific mission by providing institutional leadership in EHS, strategic planning, policy development, technical expertise, and partnered oversight. The EHS Division Director will foster a strong safety culture across the Laboratory, build effective partnerships with scientific and operational organizations, and ensure that safety is integrated into all aspects of the Laboratory's work to ensure the Laboratory's scientific/technical research activities are conducted safely and consistent with applicable policies and regulations. As a key member of the Laboratory Operations Leadership Team, the Director will also actively support Lab-wide initiatives, advance operational excellence, and help ensure the responsible stewardship of the Laboratory's people, research, facilities, and resources.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary research institution and advance Berkeley Lab's work by: strengthening our EHS technical programs and expertise; developing innovative, efficient solutions to foster line management stewardship of EHS; and promoting safety as an institutional core value at one of the crown jewels of federal scientific research. Learn more about the EHS Division here.

What You Will Do:

• Lead, direct, and oversee all EHS Division programs and operations for Waste Management, Radiation Protection, Environmental Compliance and Restoration, Safety and Industrial Hygiene, and Health Services functions, to maintain a safe and healthy environment for Laboratory employees, guests, and visitors in support of Berkeley Lab's scientific mission.
• Conduct ongoing long-range planning to identify and implement new EHS programs and policies to ensure adherence to changing governmental guidelines and regulations, achieve performance goals, and pursue best management practices.
• Lead the development of a shared vision and definition of safety culture for Berkeley Lab and guide its implementation throughout the organization. 
• Provide leadership and talent management to empower a high-performing 125-person EHS organization through effective recruitment, development, performance management, retention, and succession planning, and proactively promote principles of stewardship, belonging, and accountability.
• Proactively build partnership relationships with all levels of the Laboratory community, Department of Energy (DOE) external regulatory agencies, the general public, other National Laboratories, UC campuses, and the UC Office of the President to provide innovative leadership for quality and excellence in customer service. 
• Contribute as a member of Berkeley Lab's Operations Leadership Team providing leadership, guidance and support to Operations initiatives. Advise operations and scientific leaders on the latest developments across all areas of responsibility, and on actions and progress towards meeting the goals and objectives in those areas.
• Partner effectively with other Division Directors to implement new or improve existing programs that cross divisional lines consistent with strategic planning goals and initiatives. Ensure the EHS Division actively supports and is integrated with the Laboratory's scientific/technical research programs.
• Provide leadership and direction to fulfill the Division's continuous process improvement program, including measurement systems, benchmarking, and surveys.
• Commitment to upholding the Laboratory's stewardship principles, especially with regard to the Lab's research, people, and resources, and consistently modeling safety as a core value.

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of extensive experience in one or more EHS or related technical discipline(s); or an equivalent experience and education.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive senior-level leadership experience in a highly regulated, scientific, research, FFRDC, or mission-driven environment. 
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a large, diverse EHS organization, including providing effective oversight and guidance of operational, people management and administrative matters. Experience hiring, developing, mentoring and coaching employees for high performance and organizational growth.
• Demonstrated record of integrating EHS into the strategic business plan of the institution, championing a safety culture of accountability, and leading culture change with improved performance as a measured outcome.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively influence, negotiate, advise, translate, and present to senior technical and administrative managers.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively build/maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, and the ability to collaborate at the highest level of management.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Board certification in a related professional discipline (e.g., CIH, CSP, CHP, PE).
• Experience managing within a Federal contractor, government owned/contractor operated (GOCO) organization, and/or a union environment.
• Experience working within DOE programs related to safety, security and emergency response.

Notes:

• Application date: For priority consideration, please submit your application and cover letter by August 17, 2026. 
• Appointment Type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid). The EHS Division Director position is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Laboratory Director, and this appointment is at will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
• Salary Range: This position is expected to pay $350,000 to $420,000 annually; salary will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, and certifications, and will be aligned with the internal leadership peer group. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position.
• Background Check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Designated Official: This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the California Political Reform Act of 1974. The successful candidate for this position will be required to file financial interest statements upon assuming this position, annually while holding this position, and when leaving this position.
• Work Modality: This position requires daily on-site presence at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, with occasional business travel.

Learn About Us:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is committed to groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab's expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab's world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. "Team Science" remains an integral part of Berkeley Lab's DNA, with research conducted across multiple scientific disciplines.

Berkeley Lab has a dynamic workforce of over 4,000 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $1.31 billion. The University of California (UC) manages Berkeley Lab for DOE's Office of Science.

Working at Berkeley Lab

The University of California Office of National Laboratories

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.