Program Leader, Industrial/Worker Safety - Environmental Health and Safety - UTK

Program Leader, Industrial/Worker Safety - Environmental Health and Safety - UTK
Knoxville, TN, United States

Job Description
Under the direction of the Associate Director, OSEF, Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), the Program Leader for Industrial Worker Safety (IWS) provides senior-level leadership for the development, governance, and continuous improvement of campus-wide industrial safety, worker and general safety management systems. This position is accountable for protecting the health and safety of the entire campus community—including faculty, staff, students, visitors, and contractors—through structured, resilient safety programs that drive consistent risk control, regulatory compliance, and measurable performance improvement.

With strategic leadership within EHS, the role translates Tennessee OSHA requirements and applicable OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910 and relevant 1926) into sustainable systems, processes, and operational practices. The position collaborates extensively with campus partners, chairs a multi‑department safety committee, leads professional staff, and provides technical leadership, including hands‑on involvement when necessary. Emergency technical response and participation in EHS On‑Call support are required.

Responsibilities

Develop, lead, and continuously improve strategic‑level industrial/worker safety
management systems that establish governance, standardized processes,
documentation, and accountability.

Translate regulatory and consensus standards into effective, sustainable safety
programs and operational controls across diverse university operations including industrial, campus
community, laboratory, shops, and classroom settings.

Direct systematic hazard identification, risk assessment and prioritization, incident investigation, and corrective and preventive action processes within an established SMS framework.

Establish performance metrics, data analysis, and reporting processes to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement and system resiliency.

Chair and lead a multi‑department campus Life/Industrial Safety & Fire Committee, providing strategic direction and cross‑functional alignment.

Provide leadership and oversight of IWS staff and student employees, including workforce planning and organization, performance management, training, and professional development.

Oversee safety training systems to ensure required training is defined, delivered, evaluated, and maintained for regulatory compliance and meeting institutional needs.

Provide senior‑level technical assistance and consultation, including direct field involvement as needed to address complex hazards, high‑risk operations, or emergent issues.

Participate in EHS planning activities related to achieving campus strategy, service enhancements, and system maturity across campus.

Qualifications
Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in a science, occupational health & safety or environmental field.

Minimum 3 years of experience in occupational health & safety programs development and implementation.

2 years’ supervisory experience.

Experience managing budgets and regulatory agency inquiries.

Preferred:

Master’s degree and 5 or more years of experience implementing, supervising, or overseeing implementation of occupational safety and health programs.

Credentials in an occupational health & safety or environmental program field (e.g., CIH, ASP, CSP, CHO, etc.).

University or academic experience is a plus.

Job Info

Job Identification 8232

Job Category Public Safety

Posting Date 05/21/2026, 08:00 PM

Job Schedule Full time

Locations 5723 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US

EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATIONSTATEMENT

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEOoffice .

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