Associate Director, Academic & Research Safety

Job Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Health & Safety, the Associate Director of Academic & Research Safety leads the development, administration, and continuous improvement of environmental health and safety programs supporting academic instruction, research, and laboratory operations across San José State University. The incumbent provides strategic and operational oversight of laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety, hazardous materials management, and related compliance programs; serves as the Campus Biosafety Officer; and directly supervises professional staff. As a primary campus resource and advisor, the position partners with faculty, researchers, campus leaders, and regulatory agencies to strengthen safety culture, manage risk, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead environmental health and safety programs that support academic and research operations, including laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, biosafety, hazardous materials management, and related compliance activities.
• Serve as the Campus Biosafety Officer and oversee implementation and administration of the campus biosafety program.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve laboratory and research safety policies, procedures, guidance documents, and training programs.
• Oversee Biological Use Authorization processes and provide technical guidance on biological agents, recombinant DNA, human materials, toxins, select agents, and other regulated materials.
• Chair or support the Institutional Biosafety Committee and related campus committees to advance laboratory and research safety compliance.
• Direct laboratory inspections, audits, hazard assessments, incident investigations, and industrial hygiene reviews; identify root causes and recommend hazard-reduction measures.
• Collaborate with faculty, principal investigators, academic departments, and research programs to identify hazards, implement risk controls, and support safe research operations.
• Manage laboratory registration, biosafety cabinet certification tracking, hazardous material inventory review, regulated waste compliance, and laboratory design or renovation safety consultation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Cal/OSHA, CDC, NIH, EPA, DOT, USDA, IATA, and other federal, state, and local requirements; coordinate responses to laboratory incidents, spills, exposures, and emergencies.
• Supervise and develop assigned staff; set performance expectations, coordinate resources, and contribute to Environmental Health & Safety strategic planning, metrics, service improvements, and emergency response readiness.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental health and safety regulations applicable to a university environment in California.
• Strong knowledge of biosafety, chemical hygiene, hazardous materials management, construction safety, and related regulatory requirements in institutional settings.
• Ability to develop, implement, assess, and improve environmental health and safety programs, policies, procedures, and compliance strategies.
• Ability to conduct inspections, audits, hazard assessments, investigations, and program evaluations to identify risks and improve compliance.
• Ability to interpret technical regulations and documents, determine applicability, and develop practical steps to achieve compliance.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective safety training and outreach programs for faculty, staff, students, and researchers.
• Knowledge of personnel management, performance management, coaching, dispute resolution, team development, and supervisory best practices.
• Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and develop sound recommendations.
• Ability to communicate effectively, build collaborative relationships, and serve as a primary liaison with campus stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to responsibly evaluate and apply emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in alignment with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Biological Sciences, Industrial Hygiene, Public Health, or a directly related field.
• Five years of professional work experience associated with progressively responsible management of multi-faceted environmental health and safety programs in a large, complex organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD. in Environmental Health & Safety, Biology, Chemistry, Toxicology or a directly related field
• Designation as a Board certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and/or Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) by the California Department of Public Health or a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals
• Supervisory experience within a collective bargaining and represented staff environment.
• Experience in the management of a broad spectrum of environmental health and safety programs typical of a college or university, or other large-scale, multi-facility complex organization.

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $10,565/month - $11,850/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: November 6, 2026, through November 22, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu .

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Nov 06 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: