Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

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Job Title: Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Department: Facilities Management

Division: Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: 8

Range: $66,000 - $82,400

Union: SEIU Local 500

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Facilities Management

General Purpose: The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Coordinator develops, implements, and maintains health, safety, and compliance programs across the College. The position provides EHS support across MICA’s academic buildings, studios, shops, laboratories, residence halls, and general campus facilities, with particular focus on the unique hazards associated with an art and design college.

The EHS Coordinator is responsible for coordinating programs related to chemical safety, hazardous and universal waste, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, industrial hygiene, fire and life safety, emergency preparedness, and other applicable environmental and occupational safety requirements. The position conducts inspections and assessments, maintains required records and documentation, coordinates training, investigates incidents, and works collaboratively with academic and administrative departments to identify and address safety concerns.

The position works closely with Facilities and other campus partners on building-related health and safety matters, including ventilation, indoor air quality, life-safety systems, contractor safety, renovation projects, and other Facilities operations as needed — including coordinating with maintenance staff on building systems, assisting with space walkthroughs, supporting event safety logistics, and helping manage vendor/contractor compliance on campus projects.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Administer and maintain MICA’s environmental health and safety programs in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements, including OSHA, EPA, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and applicable fire and building codes.
• Develop, update, and administer EHS programs including hazard communication, hazardous waste management, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, fire safety, and PPE compliance for art-making studios and shops.
• Maintain an EHS compliance calendar and coordinate required inspections, testing, training, permits, and reporting to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Maintain and regularly update MICA’s EHS webpage and related online resources to ensure that safety policies, procedures, training materials, forms, emergency information, Safety Data Sheets, and other relevant EHS information are current, accurate, accessible, and user-friendly. 
• Coordinate the collection, labeling, storage, and disposal of hazardous and universal waste (solvents, photo chemicals, ceramics glazes, etc.) generated by academic departments.
• Maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) library and chemical inventory systems across departments.
• Coordinate required and periodic safety training, including hazard communication, chemical safety, shop and studio safety, PPE, emergency procedures, and other applicable topics.
• Develop and deliver safety training to students, faculty, and staff (shop safety orientations, chemical handling, fire extinguisher use, etc.).
• Maintain records of required EHS training and certifications.
• Respond to and investigate incidents, near-misses, hazardous conditions and safety complaints; prepare reports and corrective and preventative action plans.
• Serve as a point of contact for routine EHS-related interactions with OSHA, MDE, local fire officials, environmental agencies, and other regulatory authorities.
• Support emergency preparedness planning, including fire drills, evacuation procedures, and campus emergency response protocols.
• Serve as an EHS resource during emergencies and other situations involving hazardous materials, environmental conditions, or workplace safety concerns.
• Maintain accurate records for regulatory reporting (waste manifests, training logs, inspection reports).

• Partner with the Facilities team on building-related safety issues including indoor air quality, ventilation systems in studios, life-safety equipment maintenance, and other safety-related building infrastructure.
• Assist with coordinating contractor and vendor work to ensure compliance with safety requirements on campus projects.
• Review construction, space planning, and renovation projects by reviewing plans for EHS and code considerations.
• Help oversee preventive maintenance schedules related to safety systems (fume hoods, eyewash/shower stations, fire suppression).
• Provide general facilities operations support during peak periods, campus events, or staffing gaps as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of occupational and environmental health and safety principles, practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to identify hazards and assess potential risks in a variety of work environments.
• Ability to interpret regulations, policies, technical information, Safety Data Sheets, and other safety documentation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to provide clear direction and training while working collaboratively with diverse campus constituencies.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate regulatory and compliance records.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and respond appropriately to urgent safety concerns.
• Sound judgment and discretion when addressing safety incidents, compliance concerns, and potentially hazardous conditions.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a cross-functional team.
• Comfortable working in environments involving chemicals, dust, fumes, noise, heat, machinery, and other potential occupational hazards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Chemistry, or related field 
• 2 years of professional experience in environmental health and safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental compliance, or a closely related field.Working knowledge of OSHA General Industry standards, EPA hazardous waste regulations Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) requirements, and applicable fire and life-safety requirements.
• Experience with hazardous materials, chemical safety, hazardous waste, or environmental compliance.
• Ability to communicate technical safety information clearly and effectively to individuals with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, records, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, contractors, and external vendors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable workplace technology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education, an art or design institution, laboratory, manufacturing environment, or other setting with diverse occupational hazards.
• Experience working in studio, shop, laboratory, or maker-space environments.
• OSHA 30-Hour General Industry certification.
• Experience with hazardous waste management in an academic or studio-art setting.
• Familiarity with facilities/building systems (HVAC, fire suppression, mechanical rooms) a plus.
• Certification or working toward CHMM, ASP/CSP, or similar credential.

Reporting to this position: Student employees 

Conditions of Employment:

• Satisfactory background check
• Regular exposure to studio and shop environments involving chemicals, dust, noise, and machinery.
• Ability to walk campus buildings, climb stairs/ladders, and occasionally lift up to 40 lbs.
• Some evening/weekend availability may be required for events, drills, or emergency response.

Physical demands and work environment:

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)
• Work environment: 
  • While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
  • Regular work in studios, laboratories, shops, mechanical spaces, residence halls, and other campus environments.
  • Regular exposure to environments that may involve chemicals, dust, fumes, noise, machinery, heat, and other occupational hazards.
  • Ability to walk throughout campus and access a variety of work environments, including areas that may require stairs, ladders, or other means of access.
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment appropriate to the work environment.
  • Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials or equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
  • Ability to respond to safety incidents and emergencies as required.
  • Some evening or weekend work may be required for emergency response, drills, inspections, special events, or other operational needs.
• Required training: Exhibitions Department Installation Guide and Policy handbook, MICA Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.