Senior Safety Specialist (0358U) - #85033

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to protect the health and safety of our community and environment.

EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.

For more information, visit http://ehs.berkeley.edu

Position Summary

The Senior Safety Specialist provides direct safety and health services with an emphasis on occupational safety, especially the anticipation, recognition, and control of hazards with particular consideration of substitution, engineering, administrative, and PPE solutions. The Sr Safety Specialist will supervise a team of safety specialists.

The Sr. Safety Specialist provides consultation services to campus partners in support of health and safety programs, policies, consensus standards, and best practices. Through memorandum of understanding, the incumbent may also provide these services to other University of California locations, and the UC Office of the President.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 03/31/2026. This position is open until filled.

Responsibilities

As the Senior Safety Specialist, serves as the subject matter expert for multiple occupational safety fields including: injury/illness investigations, electrical safety, energy isolation, cranes & hoists, confined space entry, fall protection, ladder safety, aerial lifts, forklifts, shop safety, material handling, ergonomics, and other programs regulated under CCR Title 8, and other applicable codes and standards.

• Creates new and complex solutions applying advanced level knowledge/expertise of best practices within multiple technical, professional, scientific, and applied disciplines and makes recommendations and presentations based on accepted scientific methodology.
• Modifies programs to accommodate changes in applicable laws, regulations, and other contributing factors.
• Advises clients on occupational safety requirements for proposed work and facilities.
• Ensures implementation of safety procedures according to all regulations in subject areas.
• Writes and updates manuals and procedures.
• Conducts peer reviews of reports; updates and revises written programs.
• Analyzes incident and injury reports to identify workplace injury trends, patterns, and prevention opportunities. Interviews employees regarding perceived safety problems. Assist with targeted campus safety campaigns.
• Serves as the main liaison to CalOSHA for onsite investigations, response to complaint letters, and notification to CalOSHA of serious employee injuries that require immediate reporting.
• Acts as delegated representative of senior management to campus, system-wide, local government, state and federal levels of authority.
• Participates on campus and system-wide committees, and in campus work groups to address specific health- or safety-related issues.
• Provides input to state and federal regulators for writing and revisions of regulations; Provides expert counsel by evaluating, interpreting and applying laws, regulations, codes and standards across complexity of environmental, health, and safety disciplines.
• Maintains professional knowledge/expertise of existing and proposed changes in all EH&S areas, with attention to regulations in occupational safety. See Governing Laws and Regulations below.
• Applies appropriate scientific and professional standards to recommend organization/university policies and programs and, as needed, create new methodologies.
• Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any necessary per role.

Supervises team of staff (and student) employees, and aligns priorities

• Provides comprehensive personnel administration including selection, training, evaluation, performance management, and as required, corrective action for multiple staff levels.
• Responsible for developing and facilitating of work processes and procedures associated with assigned functional lead role to meet campus or regulatory standards.
• Directs, trains, prioritizes and oversees the daily or project work and activities of a work team or individuals.
• Ensures staff and student employees are fully and properly trained to meet mandatory training requirements of positions.
• Ensures EH&S subject matter experts focus on high-priority safety and compliance issues.
• Ensures work practices meet regulatory requirements, fulfill client expectations and needs, and are conducted in an efficient, professional and safe manner.
• May be assigned supervision of additional Team members pending organizational updates; provide back-up support for partner supervisor(s).

Conducts field observations and worksite reviews to analyze effectiveness of safety programs and procedures.

• Develops & implements strategies to eliminate or control workplace hazards and reduce potential for injuries on campus.
• Communicates CCR Title 8 regulatory compliance requirements and University safety policies, procedures and best practices to employees, supervisors and managers.
• Develops performance specifications, service-provider qualification requirements, equipment specifications, code compliance specifications, operational specifications, etc. for research and building equipment, and vehicle purchases.
• Works with Procurement to evaluate service-provider capabilities and, from a technical perspective, assure that a service provider can deliver what they say they can deliver in a safe and timely manner.
• Drives university vehicles to fulfill job requirements.

Conducts scheduled and unscheduled audits and/or inspections of fall protection equipment, cranes/hoists, forklifts, aerial lifts, ladders, confined spaces, hot work, campus shops, theaters, athletics facilities, dining facilities, and other high hazard areas to determine compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations/ codes, and University policies.

• Inspection activities includes providing guidance on the proper usage, storage and maintenance of equipment, tools and machinery, proper safety procedures, and safety signage.
• Inspects equipment to ensure safe working conditions; removes equipment from service as necessary. Reviews training records, inspection records and written programs maintained at the inspection work sites.
• Reviews building construction plans and participates in the design review process.
• Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Manages health and safety programs or processes and their integration into client-department business operations.
• Recommends improvements in processes, management systems, facility and/or equipment designs, procedures and operating equipment, all focused on improved efficiency and integration of EH&S programs into client-department operations.
• Works with EH&S subject matter experts to demonstrate a risk/cost reduction and return on investment for best practices that are not necessarily code required.

Researches, develops, presents, and documents safety training for campus staff and others as required.

• Training subjects emphasize CCR Title 8 mandates, including hazard communication, shop safety, electrical safety, energy isolation (LOTO), ladder safety, PPE, confined space entry, fall protection, aerial lifts, cranes/hoists and other subjects as assigned.
• Participates in the continuous improvement process to ensure training and training products are of the highest quality and meet established training needs.

Provide safety services, outreach, and general communications to campus, departments, and organizations, especially Department Safety Coordinators.

• Establish and maintain client relationships to ensure that safety needs are being met.
• Serve as EH&S resource to client-departments/locations on implementation of the Injury and Illness Prevention Policy (IIPP), Workplace Safety Program, and Building Emergency Plan (BEP) as applicable.
• Act as a health & safety liaison with safety coordinators, safety committees and responsible management.
• Develop safety oversight procedures using a combination of original and standard professional approaches/techniques to identify and solve substantive, complex deficiencies or problems with multiple variables.

Investigates safety concerns reported to EH&S by faculty, staff and students.

• Advises and assists responsible parties regarding practical solutions. When warranted, develops and implements strategies to eliminate or control identified hazards and reduce potential for injuries on campus.
• Conducts investigations and prepares reports on injury and near miss claims as assigned. Conducts follow up visits to ensure remediation, repairs or modification of equipment or job site have been completed.
• As an investigator, the incumbent will coordinate and collaborate with supervisors, other involved personnel, and the campus Workers' Compensation staff and third party administrator.

Staff development:

• Works on professional committees and assignments, participates in professional training and attends relevant conferences, and/or is mentored or coached on a formal or informal basis.

Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to:

• On a rotational basis during business hours, provide industrial hygiene services for emergency indoor air quality calls and industrial hygiene support to large, highly hazardous or unfamiliar chemical spills.
• At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Research/Administration, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), must be available in a campus disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release, to serve in the appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.

May be assigned as a Member of Dedicated Urgent Response Team (DURT).

• If assigned to serve as a Lead Responder, the incumbent must meet the specific requirements of the DURT program as outlined in the EH&S Urgent Response Support Program Guidelines. These include occupational physical qualifications and a medical baseline that is required upon assignment.
• Provide technical support to the DURT program by serving as a Lead Responder in the regular rotation, 24/7, every 6-8 weeks, or more frequently as needed.
• Must be accessible by UCPD via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during business and non-business hours. Must be within one hour of campus and may not engage in activity that will affect the ability to respond.

Required Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent experience.
• Advanced or expert knowledge/understanding of broad range of EH&S fields and familiarity with all EH&S fields.
• Advanced or expert knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards, guidelines and, as appropriate, recommend organization policy.
• Demonstrated strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills, including advanced political acumen and skill to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies in a highly political environment.
• Advanced skill to effectively represent the organization to state and federal authorities, and community groups.
• Advanced analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within budget and time constraints.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in mentoring or overseeing the work of other EH&S technical and professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and effectively in a team structure with other professionals.
• Demonstrated skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Demonstrated experience and skill to respond to emergencies and critical situations appropriately.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Working knowledge of Governing Laws and Regulations:

• Title 8 & 24 California Code of Regulations.
• NFPA 70E.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $101,600.00 - $150,000.00, commensurate with experience.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

• Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

• Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.