Assistant Director Research and Shop Safety
George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
Department:
Risk, Safety, and Resilience
Classification:
Administrative Faculty
Job Category:
Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type:
Full-Time
Work Schedule:
Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location:
Manassas, VA
Workplace Type:
On Site Required
Salary:
Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check:
Yes
Motor Vehicle Records Check:
Yes
About the Department Risk, Safety, & Resilience (RSR) provides overall strategic oversight of the University's risk profile and management efforts, and leads the maintenance of a safe and healthful environment for our community to learn, work, live, and thrive. RSR manages enterprise and operational risk, health, safety, environmental, and emergency management programs in collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
About the Position The Assistant Director of Research and Shop Safety serves as a key leader within George Mason University's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team. The position seeks an experienced EHS professional capable of independently developing, implementing, and managing safety programs, while supervising and mentoring staff. The role supports safe and compliant research and engineering activities across multiple campuses—including Fairfax, Manassas, and Arlington—by leading shop and field safety programs, overseeing engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation, conducting inspections, developing training, and aiding the Director of Environmental Health and Safety in short‑ and long‑term planning.
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain safety programs for 3D Printing, Instructional and Research Shop Safety, Marine Safety, Autonomous Vehicles and Drones, Robotics and Blimps Field Research, Heat Safety, and Local Exhaust Ventilation, including risk assessments, guidance documents, and training modules.
Provide on‑site and written safety assessments, conduct inspections of research and teaching spaces, prepare reports, recommend corrective actions, and ensure follow‑up compliance.
Serve as the EHS liaison for engineering and research shop activities, maintaining knowledge of EHS requirements and coordinating with Risk Management and other EHS teams on overlapping program areas.
Create and implement goals, performance metrics, and project plans supporting research and shop programs across multiple campuses, aligning with regulatory and external agency requirements.
Act as primary contact for faculty, staff, and students on research and shop program inquiries, and represent the university in regulatory agency interactions.
Serve on committees, review documents and training programs, evaluate incident reports, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
Compile and submit data for the Annual Report; collaborate with RSR units on projects and emergency response notifications and ensure timely communication of safety concerns to appropriate parties.
Perform administrative functions related to program oversight, employee supervision, performance management, professional development, training compliance, and disciplinary actions.
Required Qualifications
Master's degree in public health, science, safety, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Significant relevant work experience including technical and program management responsibilities.
Demonstrated supervisory experience with performance plans and personnel evaluations.
Experience developing and editing safety compliance plans and associated documents.
Experience developing and presenting safety training programs.
Certification in CPR and First Aid or ability to obtain within 60 days.
Knowledge of engineering and/or shop safety needs and program areas.
Knowledge of applicable safety regulations and guidelines, including PPE and training requirements.
Proficiency with related office equipment and software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills with ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and meet deadlines independently.
Ability to implement and maintain applicable safety programs and deliver training to diverse audiences.
Ability to conduct thorough safety inspections.
Physical ability to lift 40 lbs., bend, crawl, and kneel with or without accommodation.
Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently under pressure.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
Visionary self‑starter capable of expanding existing programs and building new ones from the ground up.
Team player with collaborative mindset to maintain positive relationships.
Persuasive influence skills with a “get to yes” mindset.
Creative and strategic thinking using limited resources.
Must live within 25 miles of the Fairfax or Science and Technology campus.
Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license meeting GMU's requirements.
Designated to respond to emergencies as needed; availability expectations apply.
Preferred Qualifications
Certified Industrial Hygienist and/or Certified Safety Professional credential.
Experience working in higher education setting.
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Risk, Safety, and Resilience
Classification:
Administrative Faculty
Job Category:
Administrative or Professional Faculty
Job Type:
Full-Time
Work Schedule:
Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location:
Manassas, VA
Workplace Type:
On Site Required
Salary:
Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check:
Yes
Motor Vehicle Records Check:
Yes
About the Department Risk, Safety, & Resilience (RSR) provides overall strategic oversight of the University's risk profile and management efforts, and leads the maintenance of a safe and healthful environment for our community to learn, work, live, and thrive. RSR manages enterprise and operational risk, health, safety, environmental, and emergency management programs in collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
About the Position The Assistant Director of Research and Shop Safety serves as a key leader within George Mason University's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team. The position seeks an experienced EHS professional capable of independently developing, implementing, and managing safety programs, while supervising and mentoring staff. The role supports safe and compliant research and engineering activities across multiple campuses—including Fairfax, Manassas, and Arlington—by leading shop and field safety programs, overseeing engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation, conducting inspections, developing training, and aiding the Director of Environmental Health and Safety in short‑ and long‑term planning.
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain safety programs for 3D Printing, Instructional and Research Shop Safety, Marine Safety, Autonomous Vehicles and Drones, Robotics and Blimps Field Research, Heat Safety, and Local Exhaust Ventilation, including risk assessments, guidance documents, and training modules.
Provide on‑site and written safety assessments, conduct inspections of research and teaching spaces, prepare reports, recommend corrective actions, and ensure follow‑up compliance.
Serve as the EHS liaison for engineering and research shop activities, maintaining knowledge of EHS requirements and coordinating with Risk Management and other EHS teams on overlapping program areas.
Create and implement goals, performance metrics, and project plans supporting research and shop programs across multiple campuses, aligning with regulatory and external agency requirements.
Act as primary contact for faculty, staff, and students on research and shop program inquiries, and represent the university in regulatory agency interactions.
Serve on committees, review documents and training programs, evaluate incident reports, and implement corrective actions when necessary.
Compile and submit data for the Annual Report; collaborate with RSR units on projects and emergency response notifications and ensure timely communication of safety concerns to appropriate parties.
Perform administrative functions related to program oversight, employee supervision, performance management, professional development, training compliance, and disciplinary actions.
Required Qualifications
Master's degree in public health, science, safety, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Significant relevant work experience including technical and program management responsibilities.
Demonstrated supervisory experience with performance plans and personnel evaluations.
Experience developing and editing safety compliance plans and associated documents.
Experience developing and presenting safety training programs.
Certification in CPR and First Aid or ability to obtain within 60 days.
Knowledge of engineering and/or shop safety needs and program areas.
Knowledge of applicable safety regulations and guidelines, including PPE and training requirements.
Proficiency with related office equipment and software, including Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills with ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and meet deadlines independently.
Ability to implement and maintain applicable safety programs and deliver training to diverse audiences.
Ability to conduct thorough safety inspections.
Physical ability to lift 40 lbs., bend, crawl, and kneel with or without accommodation.
Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently under pressure.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
Visionary self‑starter capable of expanding existing programs and building new ones from the ground up.
Team player with collaborative mindset to maintain positive relationships.
Persuasive influence skills with a “get to yes” mindset.
Creative and strategic thinking using limited resources.
Must live within 25 miles of the Fairfax or Science and Technology campus.
Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license meeting GMU's requirements.
Designated to respond to emergencies as needed; availability expectations apply.
Preferred Qualifications
Certified Industrial Hygienist and/or Certified Safety Professional credential.
Experience working in higher education setting.
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