Health Safety & Enviornment Director

About the Role

The HSE (Health, Safety & Environmental) Director provides strategic leadership and operational management of the agency's health, safety, environmental, and facilities functions across all buildings, group homes, healthcare environments, grounds, and transit-related properties. This role integrates the responsibilities of the Senior Director of Buildings and Grounds—overseeing the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all facilities, equipment, and outdoor spaces—with agency-wide health and safety leadership, including safety inspections, incident investigation, emergency preparedness, staff training, and regulatory compliance.

The HSE Director ensures that all properties are safe, compliant, well-maintained, and aligned with CARF standards, OSHA and environmental regulations, life safety codes, and ADA requirements, while leading maintenance, custodial, grounds, and skilled-trades teams and managing budgets, capital projects, and vendor relationships. This position plays a critical role in protecting the well-being of persons served and the staff who support them.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive health, safety, environmental, and facilities management program aligned with CARF standards, OSHA regulations, life safety codes, ADA standards, and organizational goals
• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and upkeep of all buildings, group homes, healthcare facilities, administrative buildings, equipment, outdoor spaces, and transit-related infrastructure
• Lead, supervise, and develop maintenance, custodial, grounds, and skilled-trades staff (carpentry, HVAC, painting) across multiple sites; provide coaching, training, and performance management
• Conduct and coordinate safety inspections and risk assessments; investigate incidents and lead corrective action planning
• Lead emergency preparedness and response planning, including evacuation procedures, drill coordination, disaster readiness, and incident response for facility-related events and natural disasters
• Establish and maintain preventive maintenance programs to extend the life of facilities, equipment, and building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural)
• Oversee environmental health and safety programs, including infection-control measures in healthcare and residential settings
• Train staff and frontline teams on safety procedures, best practices, and regulatory requirements; promote a culture of safety and accountability
• Plan, manage, and execute capital improvement projects, renovations, facility expansions, and new construction initiatives
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets; monitor expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements for maintenance, landscaping, pest control, housekeeping, security, and specialized facility services
• Track safety and compliance data and provide reporting to leadership; maintain documentation and records required for CARF surveys, audits, and inspections
• Collaborate with clinical, residential, transit, and program leadership to ensure facilities and safety programs support programmatic and compliance needs
• Implement sustainability, energy-efficiency, and risk-reduction initiatives across all properties
• Ensure all facilities reflect a dignified, home-like, safe, and welcoming environment consistent with person-centered care for individuals with IDD
• Ensure buildings and grounds support accessibility, safety, and comfort for persons served, including ADA-compliant modifications
• Maintain environments that promote the health, well-being, and community inclusion of individuals served
• Support HCBS Settings Rule compliance through facility design, upkeep, and accessibility
• Ensure emergency and safety planning accounts for the specific needs of individuals with IDD across residential and program settings
• Partner with program leaders to reduce environmental and safety risks that could affect persons served or direct-care staff

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Healthcare Administration, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8-10+ years of progressive experience in facilities, health/safety, or property management, preferably in healthcare, residential/group home, or transit environments
• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role overseeing multiple sites
• Strong knowledge of building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and structural components
• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements, including OSHA, environmental, CARF standards, and life safety codes
• Proven experience managing budgets, capital projects, and vendor contracts
• Must pass a statewide/criminal background check confirming no convictions for crimes of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any felony offense
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between multiple agency sites

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing facilities in a healthcare, non-profit, human services, or group-home environment
• Professional safety certification (e.g., CSP, ASP, CHST) or facilities credential (e.g., CFM, FMP)
• Familiarity with transit facility requirements and fleet-support operations
• Experience with CARF survey readiness, infection control, and emergency management
• Experience managing skilled-trades teams (carpentry, HVAC, painting) and construction projects

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution across safety, environmental, and facilities functions
• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Budget and financial management
• Risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance expertise
• Project and operations management, including capital projects
• Knowledge of building systems, preventive maintenance, and life safety codes
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across clinical, residential, and operational teams
• Ability to lead emergency preparedness and incident response

Physical & Essential Functions

• Ability to walk and inspect extensively across multiple properties, buildings, and grounds
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders and access roofs, mechanical rooms, and equipment areas during inspections
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds
• Ability to respond to facility emergencies, including outside standard business hours

Work Environment

• Operates in both office and field environments and requires regular site visits
• Frequent travel between multiple agency sites, including group homes, healthcare sites, and transit locations
• Exposure to varying weather, mechanical equipment, and active maintenance/construction areas
• Must be available to respond to emergencies and facility-related issues outside of standard business hours as needed