Penn State Job Catalog

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Environmental, Health, and Safety

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist supports the University's commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible campuses; is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive EHS programs that ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations; partners with faculty, staff, and administration to manage risk, promote a strong culture of safety, and protect University personnel, property, and the environment.

• Develop, implement, and maintain EHS policies, procedures, and programs in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Interpret federal, state, and local regulations and provide guidance to ensure University-wide compliance
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess their impact on University operations; recommend and implement necessary updates
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports, including notifications to environmental agencies and internal stakeholders
• Serve as a primary liaison with regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, and inquiries
• Develop manuals, guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and training programs to educate the University community on EHS requirements
• Identify training needs through audits, incident trends, and program assessments; deliver instructor-led and train-the-trainer programs for EHS staff, faculty, safety officers, and campus personnel
• Conduct routine inspections and program audits across campus facilities, laboratories, and operations
• Evaluate program effectiveness using performance metrics; identify gaps and implement corrective actions
• Lead or support investigations into incidents, near-misses, and regulatory non-compliance; recommend preventive measures
• Serve as a member of the University's emergency response team for incidents involving fire, hazardous materials, chemical spills, gas leaks, indoor air quality concerns, and natural disasters
• Coordinate response efforts, provide technical guidance, and ensure proper reporting and follow-up
• Support environmental compliance programs including hazardous waste management, chemical safety, and pollution prevention
• Assist with laboratory safety programs, including chemical hygiene, hazard communication, and safe storage practices
• Provide guidance on indoor air quality, ventilation, and exposure control measures
• Serve as an EHS liaison for assigned campuses, departments, or research areas
• Partner with faculty, staff, and administration to integrate EHS considerations into operations, projects, and planning
• Promote a proactive safety culture through outreach, committees, and awareness initiatives
• Support contractor safety and ensure third-party compliance with University standards
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, training, incidents, and compliance activities
• Generate reports and analyze data to support decision-making and continuous improvement
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 11
• Minimum – $72,300.00
• MidPoint – $90,312.00
• Maximum – $108,444.00

• Attention To Detail
• Lobbying
• Organizational training
• Policy analysis
• Policy implementation
• Process design
• Risk analysis
• Stakeholder engagement