Executive Director of Environmental Health, Safety, & Risk Management
Company:
Austin Peay State University
Job Location:
Clarksville, 37044
Category:
Occupational and Environmental Safety
Type:
Full-Time
Position Summary
The Executive Director provides leadership and operational oversight for all university-wide programs and aspects of environmental health, safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management for Austin Peay State University (APSU). This high-impact role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while fostering a culture of safety, preparedness, and environmental stewardship across campus.
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 180,000 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
The Executive Director provides leadership and operational oversight for all university-wide programs and aspects of environmental health, safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management for Austin Peay State University (APSU). This high-impact role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while fostering a culture of safety, preparedness, and environmental stewardship across campus.
Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 180,000 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
- Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure a safe and healthful environment for staff, faculty, students, and visitors.
- Oversee programs related to hazardous waste, refrigerant recovery, asbestos abatement, air and water quality.
- Conduct safety inspections, surveys, and incident investigations; maintain compliance records and reports; and assist the Physical Plant with environmental surveys and hazard mitigation efforts, including mold, lead, and asbestos
- Manage fire safety programs, including inspections and emergency equipment readiness.
- Lead training programs on occupational health, chemical safety, PPE, confined space entry, and lock-out/tag-out procedures.
- Serve on EHS-related committees and represent the university in community and state safety groups.
- Ensure compliance with EPA, OSHA, ADA, and other regulatory requirements
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive university-wide emergency management plan.
- Coordinate departmental and building-level emergency action and continuity plans.
- Lead campus-wide emergency drills, tabletop exercises, and emergency communication strategies.
- Administer the Emergency Notification System and ensure timely updates to emergency protocols.
- Liaise with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies.
- Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
- Coordinate insurance claims, renewals, and applications; pursue deductible savings and premium reductions.
- Provide guidance to leadership on risk exposure and FEMA claim support.
- Develop educational programs to raise awareness of insurance and risk management practices.
- Design and oversee policies for campus weapon detection systems.
- Ensure operational readiness and staff training for metal detectors and screening protocols.
- Supervise EHS personnel.
- Develop and maintain databases for tracking safety training and compliance.
- Collaborate with departments including IT, Public Relations, and Facilities for integrated safety planning.
- Knowledge of the occupational safety and health standards of general industry
- Knowledge of building codes, ADA codes, life safety codes, and fire codes
- Working knowledge of Rave Mobile, Alertus, or similar emergency systems
- Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with external and internal customers including the APSU administration, faculty, staff, and students
- Ability to interact in an effective and appropriate manner with various populations, the University community, and public
- Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately
- Ability to develop and lead a formal sustainability program
- Ability to create successful internal partnerships to integrate EHS values and practices
- Ability to write technical and educational specifications and manuals
- Ability to accurately prepare records and reports
- Ability to develop and interpret policies
- Ability to prepare and monitor departmental budget
- Ability to efficiently operate a personal computer and associated software (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and SungardHE Banner
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- A minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and four (4) years of professional work experience in occupational health and safety, laboratory safety, environmental health, emergency management, or a closely related field.
- Experience must include administrative responsibilities and direct involvement in risk management and insurance operations.
- Military service at the rank of E7 or higher as a noncommissioned officer or an O4 and above as a commissioned officer may be substituted for degree.
- Strong understanding of emergency management operations, environmental and occupational safety standards, and risk mitigation strategies and working knowledge principles of accounting and budgeting processes
- Knowledge of hazardous materials and handling of such.
- Successful applicant must possess valid driver's license
- A background check will be required of the successful applicant
- Emergency experience in a military, state, or municipality setting.
- NIMS training in the past five years.
- Professional certifications in EPA/OSHA compliance and any licenses required by the State of Tennessee.
- A background and credit history check will be required of the successful applicant.
