Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

The University of Hawaii is hiring an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist for Kapi‘olani Community College in Honolulu, HI. The role involves directing and coordinating environmental and occupational health programs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, conducting inspections, developing training programs, and serving as the primary safety liaison on campus. This is a permanent position set to begin in June 2026, pending various conditions.
Description
University of Hawai‘i, Kapi‘olani Community College, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, is seeking applications for an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist position. Please see the information about the position, the duties and responsibilities, the minimum and desirable qualifications, and the job application attachments below:


Position Title: Environmental Health and Safety Specialist Position No.: 0097541 Hiring Unit: Office for Administrative Services Location: Kapi‘olani Community College Date Posted: April 1, 2026 Closing Date: April 19, 2026, 11:59 PM HST Band: B Salary: Salary schedules and placement information Temporary/Permanent: Permanent Other Conditions: General funded position, to begin approximately June 2026, pending position clearance, availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and program needs. Introduction: The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist is responsible for directing, planning, and coordinating all environmental and occupational health and safety programs for the campus. This role requires technical expertise to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including those from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and HIOSH (Hawaii Office of Occupational Safety and Health). The specialist serves as the primary on-site expert and liaison for all safety-related matters, working to identify, evaluate, and control hazards and risks.


Duties and Responsibilities: (** Denotes Essential Functions)

**Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive campus-specific EHS program, including a Chemical Hygiene Plan, Hazardous Materials Management Program, and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan. **Conduct regular inspections of all campus facilities, including laboratories, workshops, classrooms, and grounds, to identify and mitigate potential hazards. **Establish and maintain a system for tracking and managing hazardous materials, including proper storage, use, and disposal of chemicals and other regulated substances. **Develop and update emergency response plans for various scenarios, such as chemical spills, fires, and natural disasters. **Create and deliver mandatory EHS training programs for faculty, staff, and students, with a focus on areas like lab safety, hazardous waste handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and fire extinguisher use. **Provide specialized training for high-risk programs, such as welding, automotive repair, and nursing, ensuring students and instructors are proficient in program-specific safety protocols. **Provide First Aid/CPR/AED Certification for campus employees Maintain accurate records of all training sessions and participant certifications. **Serve as the campus' first responder for on-campus environmental and safety emergencies. **Investigate all accidents, injuries, and near-misses to determine root causes and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence. **Prepare and submit all required incident reports to the appropriate campus leadership and regulatory agencies. Ensure the campus is in continuous compliance with all relevant regulations from federal and state agencies, including OSHA, HIOSH, and the Hawai'i Department of Health. **Act as the primary point of contact and liaison for regulatory inspections and audits. Maintain a current knowledge of evolving laws, regulations, and best practices in environmental health and safety. **Oversee Campus Fire Alarm Systems, Fire Hydrants, Fire Extinguishers, AEDs, & First Aid Kits. Provide expert advice and consultation to campus administration, department heads, and faculty on EHS matters, including facility design for new construction or renovations. Work collaboratively with the central UH System EHS office and other community college EHS specialists to share information and resources. Promote a strong culture of safety awareness and personal responsibility across the campus community. May work outside of normally scheduled work hours, including day, night, weekend, and/or holiday hours as needed Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Chemistry, Biology, biological sciences, or a related field, and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental health and safety, with a focus on implementing and managing EHS programs in a high-risk environment; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work ex