Environment Health & Safety Specialist

Position DescriptionThe Facilities Management Environmental Health and Safety Specialist (EHSS) oversees environmental health, safety compliance, and risk mitigation specifically related to Facilities Management operations. The EHSS serves as the primary technical advisor and contact for Facilities Management regarding environmental safety, regulatory compliance, and indoor environmental quality concerns for on and off-campus facilities. Alignment with Theological Positions The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Statement of Biblical Principles and Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola. Department Facilities Management Supervisor This position reports to the Director of Facilities Management Operations. Educational Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field required. Relevant certifications such as Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or state-specific Asbestos or mold Inspector/Contractor licenses strongly preferred. Master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene or Environmental Health is a plus. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Work Requirements ● Full-time, 40 hours/week, 12 months per year, Exempt employee. Essential Duties ● Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Management: Conduct IEQ assessments, oversee air quality sampling, mold investigations, and asbestos reporting. Coordinate remediation and compliance efforts with Trades Managers and Housing staff, maintaining complete abatement records and communicating progress to impacted campus members. ● Hazardous Materials & Waste Operations: Manage campus-wide hazardous waste compliance in accordance with Cal/OSHA, DTSC, CDTFA, and local Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA). Maintain the campus Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP), Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and waste shipping manifests. Coordinate waste pickups with the Facilities Procurement, Compliance, and Operations Manager. ● Safety Training & Program Development: Design, implement, and update health and safety programs, policies, and standard operating procedures relating to Facilities Management. Develop training resources, schedule sessions with Trades Managers, conduct safety training, and maintain department training records. ● Site Inspections & Incident Investigations: Perform routine safety audits and risk assessments across campus facilities to identify hazards and implement corrective actions. Lead investigations for occupational injuries or safety incidents and recommend measures to prevent recurrence. ● Regulatory Compliance & Licensing: Ensure full compliance with federal, state (Cal/OSHA, CalEPA), and local regulatory requirements. Track and manage required facility permits, licenses, operating certifications, and postings. Stay current on safety regulations. ● Emergency Response: In the event of an emergency environmental or hazardous material incident, coordinates with Campus Safety and provides recommendations for mitigating actions. May require occasional after-hours or weekend emergency response. Objective Goals to be Attained ● Achieve 100% on-time annual compliance filings for the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) and state environmental permits. ● Complete initial site assessments and communication plans for reported IEQ or mold inquiries within 24–48 hours. ● Maintain complete and audit-ready training records for all required Facilities Management staff. Required Skills/Qualifications ● Experience & Technical Skills: o Proven knowledge of Cal/OSHA, CalEPA, EPA, NIOSH, and local CUPA safety regulations. o Hands-on experience with environmental site assessments, sample collection, and laboratory data analysis. o Technical proficiency with testing equipment such as moisture meters, air sampling pumps, and thermal imaging cameras. o Proficiency in Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides), FileMaker, and Asana. ● Certifications: Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or state-certified Asbestos/Mold Inspector licenses strongly preferred. ● Core Competencies: Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey technical hazard assessments clearly to non-technical stakeholders, students, parents, and regulatory agents. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex projects independently. Other Desired Duties/Skills ● Ability to navigate construction sites, mechanical rooms, and elevated structures. ● Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. ● Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, dust, and potential hazardous materials during field inspections or emergency responses