Assistant Environmental Affairs Specialist (Environmental Health & Safety Professional I)

Looking for a hands-on role where you can make a meaningful impact on campus safety and sustainability? San Diego State University is seeking an Assistant Environmental Affairs Specialist to support environmental health and safety programs that protect our campus community and the environment. In this role, you'll work alongside a collaborative team supporting hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, research safety, and emergency response initiatives across the University.

This position offers a unique opportunity to gain experience across a wide range of environmental health and safety programs, from hazardous and biohazardous waste operations to stormwater compliance, laboratory safety, and occupational safety. Every day brings opportunities to collaborate with campus partners, solve real-world challenges, and contribute to a safer, healthier, and more sustainable SDSU.

• →Support hazardous, biohazardous, and universal waste collection, storage, transportation, and disposal activities across campus.
• →Coordinate waste vendor activities, maintain regulatory records, and support hazardous waste operations through BioRaft and other compliance tools.
• →Conduct environmental compliance inspections, laboratory safety assessments, and occupational safety activities, including respirator fit testing and mold assessments.
• →Partner with campus departments to support environmental health, safety, and regulatory compliance initiatives.

• Full-time, benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• Position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is 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 SDSU in San Diego.

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for development, guidance, and implementation of environmental, occupational health, and fire/life safety programs aimed at protecting the campus community and to achieve and maintain compliance with numerous federal, state, and local regulatory statutes that govern these programs. This department reports to the 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.

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Relevant education and/or 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.

• Knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations, standards, and industry best practices.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with experience managing multiple priorities and interpreting data to support decision-making.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with experience building collaborative relationships across diverse teams and serving as a trusted partner to stakeholders.
• Experience working independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other technology tools used to support environmental health and safety programs.
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds unaided and manipulate 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste.
• Ability to wear a respirator and pass an annual physical examination.

• 40 Hour HAZWOPER (or able to obtain one within 12 months of hire)
• Experience in the following areas: hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, research safety, health and safety.
• Bachelor’s Degree.

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. 

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

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.