Safety Specialist, Office of Environmental Health and Safety - UT Chattanooga

The Safety Specialist assists in the operations of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. The incumbent is responsible for supporting all aspects of the (1) fire and life safety program, which prevent loss of life, injury, and property damage due to fire and life safety emergencies and (2) health and safety program - which includes laboratory (biological, chemical, and radiation), occupational, and general health and safety, which prevent loss of life, injury, and property damage due to unsafe conditions. The incumbent may be assigned one or more areas of focus, based on knowledge, training, experience, and departmental needs. The Specialist may serve in an on-call capacity for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. The incumbent reports to the Coordinator of Fire and Life Safety and/or the Coordinator of Health and Safety.

Fire & Life Safety

• 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.

Health & Safety

• Assist in all aspects of the health and safety programs of the unit, including laboratory (biological, chemical, and radiation), occupational, and general health and safety, which prevent loss of life, injury, and property damage due to unsafe conditions.
• 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

Environmental Health & Safety

• Serves as backup for the Health & Safety area of Environmental Health & Safety
• 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
• May serve on-call for the Office of Environmental Health & Safety on a rotating basis

Other Duties

• 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

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• 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

Review of applications will begin October 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

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.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee’s largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs—at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga—nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation—are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.