The University of Tennessee
Program Leader - Lab Safety - Environmental Health and Safety - UTK
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 37955
Job Description
The Environmental Health & Safety Department is seeking a Program Leader to manage, develop, and implement a comprehensive Laboratory Safety Program for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. The Laboratory Safety Program Leader is responsible for the supervision of professional staff who support the implementation of the Laboratory Safety programs. The Program Leader will oversee, develop, and implement safe use procedures, trainings programs, and work-space audits to support safety in research or academic instructional laboratory environments. The Program Leader will work within the university community to implement safety, health, and compliance oversight of laboratory operations which cover a wide range of requirements, risks, and hazards.
Responsibilities
Provide subject matter expertise and overall management of the laboratory safety programs. Provide technical safety reviews, risk assessments, and advise faculty and students on research/ laboratory protocols for safety and compliance. Oversee the implementation of comprehensive laboratory safety programs including inspections, hazard communication, risk identification, and the development of campus procedures supporting laboratory safety needs. Oversee the controlled substances compliance program. Oversee the implementation of academic teaching/instructional laboratory safety programs and field research programs. Provide leadership direction, mentorship, and supervision of the laboratory safety team. Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Experience:
3 years of relevant, progressively responsible experience in administering and implementing health and safety programs. Professional experience in implementing laboratory or research safety programs. Experience in supervising professional employees.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge and understanding of relevant regulations or standards for laboratory safety. Knowledge of health and safety principles required for risk assessments including hazard recognition, evaluation, and control. Excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent communication skills (verbal & written) Ability to build and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with stakeholders. Able to manage multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines. Able to create and implement safety programs. Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
Preferred greater than 3 years professional experience in implementing or supporting health and safety programs. Preferred experience in higher education. Preferred experience in industrial hygiene.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of industrial hygiene Skills in safety program development. Skill and ability in leading the implementation of safety programs in higher education. Knowledge of applicable regulations, guidance documents and operations applicable to research operations including research practices, scientific methods, and how research is conducted. Work Location:
Knoxville, Tennessee Onsite Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR13 Anticipated hiring range: $85,000 - $93,515 Find more information on UT Market Range structure here Find more information on UT Benefits here Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested material should be submitted on, or before November 30, 2025.
Cover letter Resume List of three professional references.
About Environmental Health & Safety
The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department partners with our campus community to ensure that the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is safe, healthful, and environmentally responsible. We support the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service by fostering a positive safety culture where people feel empowered, respected, and actively engaged.
About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
The Environmental Health & Safety Department is seeking a Program Leader to manage, develop, and implement a comprehensive Laboratory Safety Program for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. The Laboratory Safety Program Leader is responsible for the supervision of professional staff who support the implementation of the Laboratory Safety programs. The Program Leader will oversee, develop, and implement safe use procedures, trainings programs, and work-space audits to support safety in research or academic instructional laboratory environments. The Program Leader will work within the university community to implement safety, health, and compliance oversight of laboratory operations which cover a wide range of requirements, risks, and hazards.
Responsibilities
Provide subject matter expertise and overall management of the laboratory safety programs. Provide technical safety reviews, risk assessments, and advise faculty and students on research/ laboratory protocols for safety and compliance. Oversee the implementation of comprehensive laboratory safety programs including inspections, hazard communication, risk identification, and the development of campus procedures supporting laboratory safety needs. Oversee the controlled substances compliance program. Oversee the implementation of academic teaching/instructional laboratory safety programs and field research programs. Provide leadership direction, mentorship, and supervision of the laboratory safety team. Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Experience:
3 years of relevant, progressively responsible experience in administering and implementing health and safety programs. Professional experience in implementing laboratory or research safety programs. Experience in supervising professional employees.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge and understanding of relevant regulations or standards for laboratory safety. Knowledge of health and safety principles required for risk assessments including hazard recognition, evaluation, and control. Excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent communication skills (verbal & written) Ability to build and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with stakeholders. Able to manage multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines. Able to create and implement safety programs. Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
Preferred greater than 3 years professional experience in implementing or supporting health and safety programs. Preferred experience in higher education. Preferred experience in industrial hygiene.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of industrial hygiene Skills in safety program development. Skill and ability in leading the implementation of safety programs in higher education. Knowledge of applicable regulations, guidance documents and operations applicable to research operations including research practices, scientific methods, and how research is conducted. Work Location:
Knoxville, Tennessee Onsite Compensation and Benefits
UT market range: MR13 Anticipated hiring range: $85,000 - $93,515 Find more information on UT Market Range structure here Find more information on UT Benefits here Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested material should be submitted on, or before November 30, 2025.
Cover letter Resume List of three professional references.
About Environmental Health & Safety
The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department partners with our campus community to ensure that the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is safe, healthful, and environmentally responsible. We support the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service by fostering a positive safety culture where people feel empowered, respected, and actively engaged.
About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!