College of Engineering Safety Officer

San José State University’s Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering is an innovative, collaborative, and supportive environment that empowers employees to achieve professional and personal goals while contributing to the university’s student-centered mission. A member of the 23-campus California State university system, San José State University (SJSU) is situated in the entrepreneurial heart of Silicon Valley. The College of Engineering at San Jose State University comprises ten departments and independent programs which employs nearly 400 faculty and staff to support more than 7,000 local and international students. Committed to excellence and service, the expert staff of the College of Engineering frequently work with multiple external stakeholders and partners from across campus and other institutions.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success, the Safety Officer performs duties under general supervision but works independently to achieve specified outcomes in the critical areas of College of Engineering Safety Program implementation, emergency response, and hazardous material/equipment management. As Safety Officer for the College of Engineering, applies expertise to oversee the College of Engineering Programs in chemical, biological, equipment, fire, and other safety programs and manages the coordination and implementation of safety and safety training programs. Serves as a key technical advisor to department, college and university-level leaders with expertise in all of the above areas of safety as well as workshop, makerspace, laboratory and other engineering facilities. Uses effective communication skills to share expertise with all levels of users. Serves as a College liaison with SJSU Environmental Health and Safety, University Compliance Committees, and University Police Department to accomplish college safety goals and maintain compliance. Updates the College of Engineering web pages. Maintains safety equipment and supplies. Serves as an active member of the College Safety Committee. Oversees hazardous materials receiving, chemical inventory, hazardous materials storage, and hazardous waste within the college. Performs inspections in all college labs. Manages facilities coordination when needed in response to safety or other urgent facilities issues in the College of Engineering. 

This position advances strategic initiatives and ensures day-to-day business functions are aligned with the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

• →Uses expertise to oversee and implement College of Engineering safety programs in chemical, biological, equipment fire, and other safety areas.
• →Uses effective communication skills to serve as a liaison with SJSU Environmental Health & Safety, University Compliance Committees, and the University Police Department to maximize effectiveness of campus resources.
• →Oversees the management of chemical receiving, inventory software, labeling, storage, and waste processes for the College of Engineering.
• →Inputs new chemicals into inventories and assists with deliveries of biological materials in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.
• →Manages inspections of all College of Engineering teaching and research labs and workshops to ensure compliance with current regulatory standards in alignment with the SJSU Illness and Injury Prevention Plan and the SJSU Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• →Serves as the training coordinator who implements mandated training programs for the college.
• →Trains lab directors to reconcile chemical and biohazard inventories in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.
• →Serves as the Building Emergency Coordinator for the Engineering Building and oversees all College of Engineering Building Emergency Teams.
• →Leads, coordinates and trains the Hazardous Emergency Response/Spill control Teams and the Community Emergency Response Team program for the College.
• →Serves as an active member of the College of Engineering Safety Committee to promote a culture of safety and establish and communicate safety protocols, procedures and practices.

• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to hazardous materials emergency situations, incidents or accidents.
• Working knowledge of industrial hygiene and occupational safety regulations and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of chemical and biochemical inventorying, labeling, storage, and waste disposal processes.
• Knowledge of chemical hazard assessment, proper chemical storage environments and segregation strategies is essential, particularly in the laboratory environment.
• Ability to wear a respirator and pass annual physical examination.
• Strong written and oral communication skills needed to effectively interact with other team members, faculty and staff, and students.
• Ability to effectively present ideas and training and gain buy-in from stakeholders to adopt and implement requirements.
• Ability to organize and handle multiple priorities.
• Working knowledge of computer as a tool, including ability to utilize database, spreadsheet, work-processing, project planning, and presentation software.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above Environmental Health and Safety Professional Series – 6 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.

• Master’s degree in science or engineering.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundamental chemistry and Environmental Health and Safety.
• Five to eight years of experience working in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Civil Engineering or similar research fields.
• Previous experience serving as a research group manager or technical staff manager is highly desirable.
• Previous experience serving as a safety officer in a research and development environment is highly desirable.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: October 7, 2026 through October 21, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, 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 CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend