Hiring Range: $65,000 - $70,000
Organizational Summary:
USF Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) implements policies, procedures and programs designed to protect life, property, and the environment. EH&S promotes a culture of safety by advancing adherence to the principles of safety, environmental compliance, and risk management, and assists the university community in achieving positive outcomes through education, hazard assessment, exposure mitigation, and the responsible management of hazardous materials.
Position Summary:
The Occupational Health & Safety Officer position develops, implements and maintains a variety of occupational health and safety programs, including indoor environmental quality (IEQ), asbestos management, hazardous noise, ergonomics, respiratory protection, AED management, and more.
Typical work includes, but is not limited to:
- Investigating internal customer concerns (e.g., odors and other IEQ issues, ergonomic issues, hazardous noise concerns, etc.)
- Collecting data using analytical equipment (e.g., anemometers, air sampling pumps, swab and tape lifts, etc.)
- Assessing hazards, recommending or implementing controls, and writing professional reports
- Developing and delivering training
- Investigating incidents including root cause analysis and prescribing corrective and preventative actions
- Assisting with the drafting of new policies and procedures
- Assisting with tasks from other EH&S disciplines (e.g., Occupational Safety, Environmental Safety, Fire Safety, etc.)
This position reports to the Assistant Director of Occupational Health & Regional Campuses. The position is an essential role. It is based primarily out of University of South Florida's Tampa campus but will provide support and visit other campuses as needed (e.g., Sarasota-Manatee, St Petersburg, etc.).
Responsibilities
1. Responds to concerns of internal customers, investigating potential causes of IEQ-related concerns, gathering data through use of analytical equipment:
- Recommends corrective actions and evaluates their effectiveness.
- Provides professional communications to building occupants and facilities personnel both verbally and in writing.
- Provides response for incidents that occur both during normal work hours and after hours.
2. Incident / emergency response and investigation:
- Responds to incidents and emergencies on campus, including serving as Incident Commander as appropriate, such as during gas leaks, injuries/illnesses, leaks, spills, etc.
- Evaluates and controls or makes recommendations for control of potential Occupational Health effects to campus community during incidents / emergencies
- Collects data related to incidents / emergencies, analyzes causes, and writes reports including any recommended corrective or preventative actions.
3. Monitors University-wide asbestos compliance program:
- Identification of potential asbestos containing materials in construction and renovation projects
- Coordination of asbestos surveys with licensed consultants, ensuring that projects are performed in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
- Professional communication to building occupants, facilities personnel, consultants/contractors, and regulatory agencies both verbally and in writing related to asbestos work requirements and procedures, notifications, sampling results, etc.
4. Performs air contaminant assessment and associated tasks such as program development and/or medical surveillance.
- Reviews and conducts exposure assessments campus-wide for activities including construction or renovation projects, student activities, and faculty research to identify air contaminant exposures
- Reviews and interprets regulatory requirements related to exposures and performs any necessary sampling and assessment
- Develops/implements/applies Occupational Health management programs as needed based on employee exposure, including medical surveillance if appropriate (e.g., hearing conservation, OHSA Subpart Z, etc.)
5. Assists other EH&S disciplines with tasks as needed to support cross-functional abilities on the EH&S team, including Occupational Safety, Fire Safety, Environmental Health, etc.
6. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 1 year of experience in safety or research compliance; or a Master's degree.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
Additional Info for applicants:
Progressively responsible experience involving enforcement of safety protocols, hazardous material control, or scientific laboratory compliance may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree.
Preferred Qualifications:
Degree in safety, public health, or science related field. Four years of experience in the environmental health and safety field including indoor air quality and asbestos management. Accreditation as Certified Asbestos
Inspector/Management Planner, Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional.
Special Skills/Training:
Industrial hygiene experience. Experience with Federal, State, local regulations and University policies related to indoor environmental quality, mold, asbestos, respiratory protection, hearing conservation, lead based paint, and occupational safety (i.e., OSHA 1910). Experience with a variety of industrial hygiene instruments (combustible gas meters, confined space meters, etc.).
Company
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.