Construction Safety Officer

About the role

The Construction Safety Officer reports to the Assistant Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), overseeing safety programs for capital and institutional projects. They ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations, identifying, evaluating, and facilitating the timely mitigation of construction-related risks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the EH&S representative on construction projects, providing safety guidance from planning through closeout.
• Review and evaluate contractor’s safety training programs and attend these training sessions on the job site.
• Evaluate contractor’s qualifications and proposals, ensuring they meet safety program requirements.
• Work closely with project teams to identify risks and integrate safety into all phases.
• Develop and implement safety programs and coordinate environmental site assessments and pre-construction hazard evaluations.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure safe conditions and compliance.
• Monitor construction activities, identify hazards and potential impacts to occupants, and collaborate with project teams to implement timely corrective actions.
• Assess construction impacts on building occupants (e.g., utilities, egress, fire/life safety, air quality, noise).
• Coordinate with the Office of Facilities Management (OFM) and EH&S to ensure clear stakeholder communication and implement controls to protect faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
• Collaborate with project teams and contractors to serve as a liaison, ensuring consistent safety implementation.
• Communicate risks and mitigation strategies and provide guidance on safety protocols and expectations.
• Maintain applicable records consistent with department, university, and regulatory agency guidelines.
• Drive a university vehicle and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical or scientific field related to a safety discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in a similar role.
• At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience in construction safety, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in a similar role.
• Bachelor’s degree in occupational safety, environmental health, construction management, or a related field, and three (3) years’ experience leading, supporting, or implementing construction safety programs at a university or similar institution.