Safety Specialist

Safety Specialist 1

Position Summary: Under general supervision, assists in monitoring and coordinating campus environmental health and safety programs, including safety inspections, accident investigations, and safety training.

• Assists in the development and implementation of university-wide safety programs, including lockout/tagout, confined space entry, fire protection, and other OSHA compliance programs.
• Monitors safety protocols and procedures to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including OSHA, EPA, and NMED.
• Performs hazard analyses and recommends appropriate mitigation measures.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of departmental safety work order tracking and reporting systems.
• Conducts routine and follow-up environmental health and safety inspections of university facilities and reports findings to higher-level safety staff.
• Assists in responding to emergency situations involving hazardous materials, fire and smoke incidents, or unknown hazards; prepares reports and submits recommendations.
• Monitors and documents the condition and location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, automatic fire suppression systems, special ventilation systems, and other fire safety equipment.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Assists in developing and delivering environmental health and/or safety training programs under the guidance of higher-level staff.
• Assists in maintaining automated records and recordkeeping systems.
• Assists in evaluating the transport and disposal of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• Provides technical support and safety guidance to lower-level staff within EHS and to the campus community.

Requires considerable physical activity, including lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 pounds; physical work comprises more than 70% of job duties.
Work involves exposure to hazards or physical risks requiring adherence to standard safety precautions.
May involve exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noise.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• A valid New Mexico driver's license will be required if a motor vehicle must be operated on the job.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
• Specific personnel training is required for employees working with hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University’s influenza vaccination requirement.

High School Diploma or GED; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• OSHA 30 Hour Construction and/or General Industry certification or higher.
• Experience conducting job site hazard assessments, including fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, and struck-by hazard identification in active construction environments.
• Familiarity with construction site safety management plans, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and toolbox talk facilitation.
• Experience working alongside general contractors, subcontractors, and project managers to enforce safety compliance without disrupting project timelines.

• Experience conducting fire risk assessments and pre-fire planning in construction or industrial settings.
• Familiarity with hotwork permit programs and hands-on experience managing hot work safety procedures in construction environments.
• Experience coordinating with local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and fire marshals during inspections or code compliance reviews.

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical construction drawings to identify safety-related design elements and potential hazards.
• Ab…