Director of Environmental Health & Safety

The Director of Environmental Health & Safety at Brown University in Providence, RI, leads the development of a safe and compliant campus environment. Responsibilities include overseeing safety programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a culture of safety. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least seven years of experience in EHS, preferably in higher education. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.
Job Description: Position Purpose The Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) provides strategic vision for a safe, compliant, and sustainable campus, directly enabling the university’s core mission of teaching, learning, and research. This pivotal role ensures that annual research expenditures are conducted in compliance with federal, state, and local environmental health and safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices. The Director oversees a broad spectrum of comprehensive safety programs, including but not limited to chemical hygiene, Biological and radiation safety, Industrial Hygiene, waste management, Construction Safety, Respiratory protection, Environmental protection (air, storm water, wastewater), and Occupational health & safety, This leadership position is instrumental in fostering a pervasive culture of safety, managing all aspects of regulatory compliance, and leading critical incident and emergency response efforts. Through collaborative partnerships across departments, active participation in various university committees, and serving as the primary liaison to external regulatory agencies, the Director supports the university’s mission and ensures a healthy, safe, and innovative academic and research environment. Job Qualifications Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Physical Science, Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Required Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of related job experience, including EHS experience in a higher education environment. License/Certification: Must maintain a valid, current driver's license. Preferred Qualifications: Eight (8) years of progressive experience in environmental health and safety is preferred. ASP/CSP, CIH, CCHO, and/or CHMM certification is preferred. Knowledge: Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.), industrial hygiene, monitoring equipment usage, Indoor Air Quality principles, laboratory safety practices and design, sustainability, and incident investigation practices. Comprehension of risk management principles, risk assessment methodologies, hazard identification, and hazard control techniques. Understanding trends, issues, and accepted practices in a higher education environment. Knowledge of environmental protection regulations, remediation protocols, and waste management. Skills: Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Office and Google. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent interpersonal. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Abilities: Ability to communicate EHS budget needs and technical challenges to senior administration. Ability to develop and manage budgets for programs; ability to manage a team. Ability to document and track trends; ability to create reports, summaries, etc. Ability to lead committees and provide background information on EHS issues. Ability to lead, influence, and inspire individuals and teams at all levels of the university. Ability to respond to campus hazardous material incidents and other emergencies. Ability to adapt to changing regulations, industry best practices, and organizational needs. Directs and provides consultation to general contractors as well as Architects and Engineers engaged in university work, about the university's standards and requirements for environmental, health, and occupational safety issues; reviews construction plans for compliance with applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and other Brown and community stakeholders with diverse perspectives and demonstrated ability to contribute to an inclusive environment. Leadership competencies: Ability to influence and collaborate across a complex organization. Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams. Demonstrated ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical, campus-wide initiatives. Experience in change management and fostering a proactive safety culture. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and pre-employment screenings satisfactory to Brown University. Benefits of Working at Brown: Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here. Recruiting Start Date: 2026-03-25 Job Posting Title: Director of Environmental Health & Safety Department: Facilities Management and Campus Operations Grade: Grade 13 Worker Type: Employee Worker Sub-Type: Regular Time Type: Full time Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5 Position Work Location: Hybrid Submission Guidelines: Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Still Have Questions? If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu. Brown is an E-Verify Employer. EEO Statement: Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law. Welcome! Founded in 1764, Brown is a leading institution for education, discovery, and global intellectual progress as well as one of the largest employers in Rhode Island. Working at Brown brings more than just a paycheck and generous benefits; it offers an opportunity to contribute to a greater good. Join us in supporting the pursuit of knowledge and individual growth that defines higher education and enriches our community. Additional Information: Information about our salary ranges can be found here. Attachments: A resume is required as part of your job application. Please also include a cover letter and any other related documents as noted in the job description. Questions Submitting Your Application: If you have questions about submitting your application, please contact employment@brown.edu.