The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga · 3 months ago
Safety Specialist, Office of Environmental Health and Safety - UT Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
2+ years expThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a metropolitan university focused on experiential learning and regional collaboration. The Safety Specialist will assist in operations related to fire, life, health, and safety programs, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations while providing training and technical guidance to the university community.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Assists in all aspects of the fire and life safety programs, which prevent loss of life, injury, and property damage due to fire and life safety emergencies
Administers the installation, operation, and repair of all fire and life safety systems
Inspects, repairs, or coordinates repairs all fire and life safety equipment (e.g., Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), Fire Extinguishers)
Provides oversight for fire and life safety systems and equipment contractors
Assists in the execution of requisite fire and life safety drills
Assists in ensuring University compliance with all fire and life safety laws and regulations
Assists in the development and revision of policies, procedures, and guidance related to fire and life safety
Helps maintain a database of building and room capacities based on appropriate fire and life safety laws, rules, and regulations
Conducts fire and life safety training for the University community
Provides technical guidance to the University community on fire and life safety related questions and concerns
Serves as a technical liaison on construction, renovation, and demolition projects related to fire and life safety system design, installation, and maintenance, as directed
Serves as department technical liaison to external fire and rescue agencies, including the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD), Hamilton County Emergency Medical Service (HCEMS), and the State Fire Marshal's Office, as directed
Administers the inspection and maintenance of all health and safety equipment (e.g., Eyewash Stations, Fume Hoods)
Administers the air and other hazard testing, mitigation, and abatement for all University-owned and controlled facilities
Provides oversight for health and safety equipment contractors
Assists in ensuring University compliance with all laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety laws, rules, and regulations
Assists in the development and revision of policies, procedures, and guidance related to laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety
Assists in developing, coordinating, and conducting laboratory safety, occupational, and general health and safety training for the University community
Evaluates workplace, learning, and event spaces for hazards and develops mitigation plan
Provides technical guidance to the University community on laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety related questions and concerns
Serves as a unit technical liaison on construction, renovation, and demolition projects related to laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety
Serve as department technical liaison to Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), U.S. Department of Environmental Protection (EPA), Hamilton County Health Department (HCHD), Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Reviews and provides a recommendation for all permitted activity requests related to laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety
Generates budget requests for all laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety expenses
Collects and analyzes data on laboratory, occupational, and general health and safety systems, equipment, and incidents on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis for review and inclusion in operational, compliance, and assessment reports
Conducts inspections of all University-owned and controlled facilities for compliance with local, state, and federal government laws, rules, and regulations, as well as University and system policies related to health and safety
Prepares reports for all inspections
Assists members of the University community with mitigation for unsafe or non-compliant conditions, as well as tracks correction actions until resolution
Provides technical guidance to the University community on environmental health and safety related concerns
Assists in other environmental health and safety employees
Assists in providing oversight for environmental health and safety contractors
Assists in the review of all permitted activity requests related to environmental health and safety
Assists in conducting of environmental health and safety training for the University community
Responds to alarms, incidents, or other calls for service occurring on University-owned or controlled property, or in relation to the University
Serves on unit, department, division, and university-related committees and other university service-related activities as requested or assigned
Serves as a representative for the Office of Environmental Health & Safety and/or the Department of Public Safety, as requested or assigned
Serves on local and state-related committees and boards as requested or assigned
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Requires an associate's degree in a relevant field and two years of relevant experience in fire safety, life safety, laboratory safety, occupational safety, or general safety programs, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Knowledge of and/or ability to learn the public safety related software and equipment
Knowledge of health and safety laws, rules, and regulations
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to lead and influence internal and external personnel in prevention, mitigation, and response to health and safety concerns
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a member of cross-functional teams
Ability to make decisions and meet deadlines
Ability to act quickly and think calmly in emergency situations and to determine proper course of action
Ability to present training to various personnel, utilizing appropriate technology
Documented completion of basic Incident Command Systems training
Experience managing fire and life safety programs
Experience managing health and safety programs
Certified instructor in fire safety, life safety, laboratory safety, occupational safety, or general safety topics
Considerable knowledge of principles of management, organization, administration, budgeting, and fiscal planning and control
Preferred
A bachelor's degree in a related field
3+ years of experience in fire safety, life safety, laboratory safety, occupational safety, or general safety programs
Experience in the fields mentioned above in a higher education environment is also preferred
Company
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is an engaged, metropolitan university committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (143)
2024 (100)
2023 (100)
2022 (83)
2021 (77)
2020 (108)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Tian Li
Chief Technology Officer for UTC’s Quantum Networking and Communication Initiative
Tony Parsley
Associate Vice Chancellor of IT & Associate CIO
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