Safety Compliance Officer in North East

Durham Technical Community College is hiring a Safety Compliance Officer in the Campus Operations Department. The Safety Compliance Officer performs work coordinating environmental and occupational health and safety for Durham Tech Community College. The Compliance Officer is responsible for determining and evaluating potential facility-related health and safety threats or hazards for all employees, students, and visitors. The Compliance Officer is also responsible for analyzing facilities and ensuring that all necessary health and safety precautions have been identified. The Compliance Officer investigates accidents/incidents to determine abatements for preventing incidents and investigates "near misses" to determine methods to prevent accidents/incidents. Strong independent judgment and initiative are required to perform and complete the necessary functions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, train on, audit, and enforce the College's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) programs in compliance with OSHA, ADA, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Conduct safety inspections, job safety analyses, risk assessments, and hazard identification across College facilities, laboratories, shops, and operations; recommend and monitor corrective and preventative actions.
• Monitor workplace activities for compliance with safety policies and regulations; communicate policy updates and ensure ongoing adherence.
• Investigate accidents, injuries, and incidents; prepare reports, maintain records, and support regulatory, insurance, and legal inquiries as required.
• Respond to EHS emergencies (e.g., chemical spills, hazardous exposures); participate in on-call emergency response and serve as a core member of the College Crisis Response Team.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver safety, emergency preparedness, and public safety training, drills, and presentations for employees and students.
• Conduct and oversee fire and life safety activities, including fire drills, alarm testing, emergency lighting inspections, fire extinguisher inspections, and evacuation route reviews.
• Manage hazardous materials safety, including SDS administration, chemical inventories, lab inspections, hood certifications, and hazardous waste disposal oversight.
• Perform specialized safety monitoring such as noise testing, hearing testing coordination, and biological and chemical safety training.
• Maintain accurate EHS records, documentation, and compliance files; ensure timely updates and reporting.
• Collaborate with Campus Police and Public Safety, Facilities Services, Human Resources, Instructional/Academic Services, Public Health, regulatory agencies, and external partners to sustain a safe and compliant campus environment.
• Conduct hazard vulnerability assessments for natural and manufactured threats; support emergency planning, disaster response, damage assessment, and recovery documentation, including federal reimbursement when applicable.
• Serve as a technical resource to employees and students regarding safe practices, hazardous materials handling, equipment use, and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed safety and health into daily operations.
• Implement and monitor protocols for workplace sanitation, PPE usage, ventilation, and infectious disease prevention.
• Maintain required professional certifications and complete mandated training; pursue ongoing professional development in campus safety and emergency management.
• Facilitate and support the Building Safety Captains program, in consultation with Campus Police and Public Safety, including coordination, training, communication, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in the field of Occupational Health and Safety Management, Environmental Health, or Risk Management.
• OSHA General Industry instructor.
• Acceptable background record and credit check required. A valid driver's license accompanied by an acceptable driving record is required for this position. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• OSHA 30.
• OSHA Instructor, CPR/AED Instructor.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series (PDF) Certificate.
• Higher education safety compliance experience.
• Master's Degree.
• 4 years' experience in safety-related duties, which may include fire prevention, industrial hygiene, chemical safety, risk management, or a related field.

Work Experience

• Two years of experience in safety-related duties, which may include fire prevention, industrial hygiene, chemical safety, risk management, public health, or a related field.