Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist is a member of the Environmental Health & Safety team under Campus Safety within the Division of Safety and Operations at The George Washington University. The position is responsible for providing service to all campus locations and areas operated by the university. Primary work location is the Foggy Bottom campus.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to inspection of academic, administrative and overall facilities of the university to detect unsafe or unhealthy conditions; handling of and proper disposal of hazardous materials waste generated in these spaces; managing and overseeing the fire safety and prevention program, including coordinating and conducting fire watches; assessing indoor air quality issues such as mold and water intrusions, and supporting Life safety (fire alarm technicians) through evaluation, recommendation, and mitigation.

The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist reports to the Assistant Director, Environmental Health & Safety. The EHS Specialist performs various health and safety activities within assigned areas of the university to determine compliance with federal, state, local and other codes, regulations and procedures, particularly as it relates to environmental, health, laboratory, fire, safety and related areas. Specialists document inspections and follow up to address any health and safety deficiencies with occupant and/or appropriate university unit.

Responsibilities Include:

• Assist in the preparation and distribution of inspection reports and compilation of statistical information concerning the effectiveness of the university's environmental, health and safety programs.
• Coordinate and manage hazardous waste, biological waste and universal waste programs.
• Provide regular pickup, transport and proper storage of hazardous, biological and universal waste streams.
• Work with waste vendor to coordinate and schedule pickup of all waste streams. Sign off on waste manifests and manage waste logs.
• Develop and conduct educational and informational programs that enhance employee health and safety, property preservation and protection of the environment. Provide any related environmental health and safety training for faculty, staff and students who are exposed to hazards.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for university units and projects relating to programs and services provided by Environmental Health & Safety.
• Respond to campus incidents such as accidents, injuries or other emergencies and investigate and provide reporting as needed.
• Respond to Indoor Air Quality concerns in campus buildings. Provide initial assessment, begin necessary mitigation and report findings to EHS leadership.
• Provide hot work and burn permits on campus when requested by Facilities or outside contractor staff.
• Provide guidance and assistance relating to design and construction of projects as it relates to fire, life safety, EPA and OSHA.
• Accompany inspectors or vendors on inspections and campus work and provide access to necessary buildings and equipment.
• Participating in training and professional development opportunities in order to enhance skills.
• Serves on a rotating on-call schedule during non-business hours and holidays.
• Provides, as needed or requested, incident notification and shares situational awareness to the Director, Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Associate Vice President of Campus Safety or other university leadership within the Division of Safety and Operations.
• Assist EHS leadership with new EHS staff member orientation. Provide job overview and familiarize them with daily operations, equipment, campus orientation and emergency response procedures.
• Act where imminent dangers to life, health, or property are involved.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications: Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications: Degree in a science or safety discipline is preferred. Experience in occupational safety, emergency response, or laboratory science is desired. Ability to use environmental monitoring equipment, standard office computers and software is preferred. Pro Board Hazardous Materials Technician, HAZWOPER Technician, OSHA 30, RCRA and DOT, Pro Board Instructor 2 or OSHA Trainer Pro board fire investigator, Plans reviewer is desired.

Hiring Range - $28.27 - $38.86

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Division of Safety and Operation

Family - Safety and Facilities

Sub-Family - Safety and Emergency Response

Stream - Individual Contributor

Level - Level 2

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status - Essential onsite

Telework: No

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: S014180

Job Open Date: 05/06/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening - Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement: The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Are you currently employed with The George Washington University?
   • No
   • Yes
2. * For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder, employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)
   • Yes, IEP complete
   • No, still in IEP
   • N/a - not a current GW employee
3. * What is your expected salary range? (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents