Safety Specialist

Salary: See Position Description
Location : UH System Offices, Honolulu, HI
Job Type: Full-Time Temporary
Job Number: 2026-02364
Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation - Land and Ocean Conservation Futures
Division: Environmental Stewardship Center Program
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/27/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii
Position Number:: 0077422T
Description
Title: Safety Specialist

Position Number: 0077422T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures (LOCF), Environmental Stewardship Center (ESC)

Location: Manoa Campus, Honolulu, Hawai'i


Date Posted: November 5, 2026

Closing Date: November 27, 2026, 11:59 PM HST

Band: B

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Duties and Responsibilities

(**Denotes Essential Functions)

• **Leads a proactive and supportive safety and operational environment throughout all ESC programs.
• **Oversees comprehensive safety compliance and operational logistics across field and office sites for the Environmental Stewardship Center suite of programs in natural resources management and environmental compliance with over 100 personnel operating in high-risk, remote environments in Hawai'i and throughout the Pacific.
• **Ensures University of Hawai'i, state, federal, and Department of Defense (DoD) safety and compliance regulations are met while facilitating seamless program execution.
• ** Oversees implementation and compliance of comprehensive safety programs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and risk assessment protocols across all programs to align with OSHA, DoD, state, and institutional guidelines.
• **Serves as primary point of contact for Program Managers on SOPs, incident reporting and accident investigations, training, certification and licensing
• **Oversees aviation safety under Office of Aviation Services (OAS) contracts for all programs.
• **Assists program managers with developing and training emergency response protocols including medevac protocols with military/civilian emergency services
• **Serves as main POC for staff on remote travel assignment ensuring communications, monitoring weather and providing logistical support as needed and ensuring pre travel, on travel and post travel checks are completed.
• ** Overseesprogram vehicle fleets across all programs and locations through work with project managers, including maintenance and repair, safety checks, registration, licensing and servicing as well as develops replacement schedules across programs for the ESC Program Manager.
• ** Coordinates complex movement of supplies, field equipment, personnel and infrastructure materials between program sites.
• **Oversees all Institutional Animal Care and Use Protocols to support program managers in renewals, revisions, and training
• ** Facilitates and conducts in-house safety training across programs, including but not limited to 4WD/ATV operation, defensive driving, base yard safety, power tools, hazardous materials and helicopter safety (as certified IAT instructor). Partners with external vendors and specialized instructors to schedule Wilderness First Aid, CPR, chainsaw handling, and pesticide application.
• ** Develops and oversees the implementation of comprehensive safety plans and accident avoidance strategies as needed for operational safety and contractual compliance.
• **Ensures all physical workspaces meet required safety and operational standards.
• **Ensures proper firearms custodianship across programs that use firearms for natural resource management actions

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Natural Resources Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a closely related field; and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for safety management, field operations, or logistics coordination; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of safety management, environmental compliance, remote field safety protocols, emergency communications, backcountry risk mitigation strategies, vehicle fleet management, and logistics coordination, as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with occupational health and safety, environmental compliance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) requirements, and Department of Defense (DoD) safety and environmental compliance standards and regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and GarminInreach, as well as radio communications as well as Survey 123 or other GIS related programs
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record with the ability to operate 4WD vehicles and heavy equipment in rugged, off-road conditions.
• Must possess current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications, Hawaii Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators License pesticide application license or have the ability to obtain them within six (6) months of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security/site clearances for accessing military installations, restricted ranges, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) zones.

Desirable Qualifications

• Certified Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) instructor or experience managing aviation and helicopter operations under Office of Aviation Services (OAS) guidelines.
• Prior experience conducting safety audits, emergency response incident command, incident investigations, and hazardous materials/SDS tracking in a natural resources or military context.
• Experience liaising with Army Range Operations and Environmental Compliance Officers (ECO).
• Current certifications in chainsaw operation and high-angle rope safety
• Experience with firearms safety and operation in natural resource management or other related field contexts.

To Apply:
Select the "Apply" button in the top right corner of the screen; first-time NeoGov users will need to create an account. Please ensure your application includes the following materials:

• Cover Letter: A letter detailing your interest and how you meet both the minimum and desirable qualifications. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date to be considered.
• Resume/CV: A current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
• Professional References: The names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references.
• Unofficial Transcripts: Copies of unofficial transcripts are required for the application, though official versions must be provided upon hire. Please note that copies of diplomas and academic summaries are not acceptable substitutes.
  
  • Foreign Credential Evaluation: For degrees earned outside the U.S., you must provide a course-by-course analysis and equivalency statement from a NACES-member agency at your own expense.

Important Note: To protect your privacy, do not include any photos, Social Security Numbers, or dates of birth in your packet. Only the most recent application will be reviewed, and all submitted materials become the property of the University of Hawai'i. Please ensure all documents are complete and legible to be considered by the search committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Inquiries:

Linden Schneider; View email address on click.appcast.io

EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit:
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.


In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.


In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.


Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: