Harvard University - Senior Construction Safety & Environmental Officer
- Jul 14
- 4 min read
Job Title: Senior Construction Safety & Environmental Officer
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Reports To: Associate Director – Workplace Safety
Occupied By: VACANT
Position Summary
This position is a member of EHS’s Occupational & Construction Safety, and Public Health (OCSPH)
division and is responsible for the development and implementation of environmental and construction
safety programs for construction and remediation projects within the various schools and units within the
University. The position is a resource to Project Managers to assist them in implementing their
environmental compliance and construction related program responsibilities for their respective projects.
Primary responsibilities of this role are to work with the construction project teams to identify EH&S
issues and risks during the planning, design, construction, and closeout phases of projects, and assist
the Project Managers with maintaining compliance with Federal, State, and Local construction safety
and environmental laws.
This position requires strong knowledge of construction techniques and methods and how they relate to
potential environmental and safety issues for a project. Complex support may include building occupant
& resource protection, continued operation and future use of unique building systems, general
construction safety, fire prevention, asbestos, lead-based paint, soil management, PCBs in building
materials and other hazardous wastes/conditions.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Focused on Construction and Renovation, the position will support project managers, architects,
general contractors, subcontractors by working with third party construction safety and
environmental professionals, and internal EHS groups to identify and mitigate environmental
health and safety risks for projects, ensuring compliance with local, State and Federal
regulations. Ensure stakeholder involvement by working closely with the Office of General
Counsel, Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, as well as other Harvard stakeholders.
2. Manages the University’s core construction safety programs, including but not limited to,
Contractor Safety Assessment Programs, Contractor Drug Testing Program, Project Design
Review Process, EHS Project lifecycle Program (Design Review, Hazard Assessment, Project
Kickoff, Project Support, Validation, etc.), Contractor Community Coordination, Construction
Safety Standard and Construction and Renovation KPI management.
3. Interfaces with applicable regulatory agencies, managing 3rd party EHS consultants, ensuring
University compliance in managing construction safety and environmental programs to include
inspections and documentation.
4. Builds, supports, and maintains an environment that fosters teamwork, collaboration, excellence,
respect, inclusion, and accountability. Ability to lead through influence rather than authority.
5. Works with architects, engineers and designers to incorporate environmental design criteria into
plans and specifications. Provides technical assistance to the project teams regarding
environmental issues during a project. Prepares, coordinates, and tracks on behalf of the project
manager request for proposals, specifications, and plans for soil management, stormwater,
groundwater, hazardous materials, and other environmental issues that may be relevant to the
construction process. Maintains all documentation associated with these tasks.
6. Provides regular reports to project managers and EHS management regarding the status of
environmental and safety issues for their projects. Manages and reviews environmental
consultant’s work, to ensure compliance, timeliness and technical accuracy. Regularly attend
construction meetings.
7. Communicates environmental and safety requirements to contractors and provides routine
environmental health and safety compliance inspections of construction sites, as necessary.
Proactively identifies and reports on environmental concerns, hazards, or risks to project
managers.
8. Interfaces with regulatory agencies regarding proposed regulations, regulatory interpretations,
compliance negotiations, permits, regulatory reform and related activities. Act as project liaison
between the regulatory agencies and Harvard school/units.
9. Reviews architectural design documents and specifications to identify potential issues related to
EHS concerns during design, construction and building operation.
10. Coordinates with EHS management team and staff to integrate EHS requirements into
construction projects and assist with post-construction transition to building occupancy. Fosters
construction-related competency among EHS professional staff.
11. Participates in a rotating on-call EHS emergency response program. Responds to and mitigates
emergencies involving hazardous materials during and after business hours.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required, preferably in technical or scientific discipline
related to environmental health and safety subjects, with at least 7-10 years’ experience in development
and/or implementation of industrial/institutional environmental, health, and safety compliance programs.
The candidate must possess strong working knowledge of all federal, state, and local health, safety, and
environmental regulations. The person must be skilled in interpretation of requirements and
implementation of safety, health, and environmental compliance programs. The position requires
excellent oral and written communication skills. He or she must have excellent computer skills including
word-processing, database, and spreadsheet applications. Ability to function in a position designed to
serve independent operating units in a decentralized environment. OSHA 40 hour HAZWOPER training
and current OSHA 8 Hour refresher required.
Preferences
Master’s degree in environmental engineering, science, or environmental health and safety related field.
Certified Safety Professional via BCSP.
Technology Skills Requirements
Expertise in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.
Candidate must attain expertise in use of other common scheduling and communications software in use
at Harvard, including Microsoft Outlook.
Special Requirements
Participates in EHS Emergency Response Program on rotating basis, as a cross-trained EHS staff
member, will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business
hours. Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects.
Physical Requirements
Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and
field work involving inspections, emergency response and related functions. Must be able to frequently
walk up and down stairs, occasionally use ladder, walking scaffolding, or enter non-permit required
confined spaces. Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment, be able to
access any area of the University to perform designated work functions including but not limited to inspections, job safety assessments, and emergency response.
Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel
Pre-Employment Screening:
Identity
SS Verification
Education
References
Drug testing
Criminal background
Sori
Drug Test
References
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