Environmental Health & Safety Specialist (Environmental Health & Safety Professional III)

Position Summary

Looking for an opportunity to make a visible impact while supporting a safe and healthy campus environment? San Diego State University Imperial Valley is seeking an Environmental Health & Safety Specialist to help advance environmental health and safety programs across the Calexico and Brawley campuses. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners while supporting innovative learning and research spaces in a collaborative higher education environment.

The Environmental Health & Safety Specialist supports a broad range of environmental health and safety programs, including laboratory safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, chemical inventory oversight, indoor air quality, and safety training. This position serves as a campus resource on health and safety practices, helping ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while contributing to a proactive culture of safety and continuous improvement.

This opportunity is ideal for a collaborative and solutions-oriented professional who enjoys variety in their work, building strong partnerships, and supporting meaningful programs that positively impact the campus community.

Note: This position will work onsite at SDSU Imperial Valley (Calexico, CA), which is two hours east of SDSU Main Campus.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate environmental health and safety programs related to laboratory safety, hazardous waste, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and PPE compliance.
• Conduct inspections, assessments, investigations, and compliance monitoring across laboratories, workshops, engineering spaces, and campus facilities.
• Manage chemical inventory oversight, environmental compliance activities, and safety documentation and reporting.
• Develop and deliver safety training programs while partnering with campus stakeholders to support regulatory compliance and best practices.

Why Join Us

• Be a part of a growing team, supporting both the Calexico and Brawley campuses, and helping expand campus safety and environmental health programs.
• Enjoy a dynamic role with opportunities to partner with faculty, staff, students, and campus leadership across diverse learning and operational spaces.
• Grow your career within the California State University system while benefiting from professional development opportunities, supportive leadership, and excellent benefits.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• Full-time, benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at our SDSU-Imperial Valley location.

Department Summary

Environment Health and Safety celebrates diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We understand representation is essential to our success, which is why we strive to recruit and retain highly-skilled, compassionate leaders. By prioritizing listening and learning, engaging in critical conversations, and thoughtfully considering the needs of our different populations, we are creating a culture of belonging. We aim to offer opportunities for advancement and foster an inclusive environment so all are valued and empowered to thrive.

Environment Health and Safety is responsible for development and implementation of programs aimed at protecting the campus community and providing compliance with numerous federal, state, and local regulatory statutes. This department reports to the Senior Associate Vice President for Administration in the Division of Business and Financial Affairs.

For more information regarding the Environment, Health and Safety department, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. A professional certification may be required for some positions.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations, compliance standards, and best practices, including Laboratory Safety, Occupational Safety, and Industrial Hygiene programs.
• Experience conducting safety inspections, incident investigations, risk assessments, and implementing hazard mitigation strategies.
• Experience developing and delivering environmental health and safety policies, procedures, and training programs that support campus compliance and safety initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing deadlines.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with experience collaborating across diverse teams and presenting technical information in a clear and accessible manner.
• Experience using environmental health and safety software and technology tools for compliance tracking, reporting, and program administration.
• Demonstrated success working independently and collaboratively while maintaining confidentiality and supporting a proactive, safety-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 40 Hour HAZWOPER (or able to obtain one within 6 months of hire)
• ASP, CSP, CHMM Designation
• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health or Sciences, Industrial Hygiene, Engineering, or related STEM field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the following areas: Laboratory safety inspections, Workshop safety inspections, Safety Training, Chemical inventory, Hazardous and Biohazardous waste management, Fume Hood certification, Indoor air quality, Mold/water intrusion assessments, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) support, and Ergonomic evaluations.

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Salary is based on your experience, education, and qualifications, within the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• CSU Classification Salary Range: $6,668 – $9,714/month; hiring salary not expected to exceed $6,668/month.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by June 21, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Eurick Hilario at echilario@sdsu.edu.