Occupational Health Safety Specialist II

Join the Trojan Family: Environmental Health & Safety

Title: Occupational Health & Safety Specialist II

About the Department

• Who we are:The University of California (USC) is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Community - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

• What we do: our role is to protect USC, its people, and overall mission by ensuring that the university is prepared for emergencies and well protected from major hazards and disasters.

• Learn more: Visit our Environmental Health & Safety Website to learn more about the department.

Role Overview: As a key member of USC’s Environmental Health and Safety team, you will take a leading role in developing and implementing comprehensive Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health programs.  This journey-level position emphasizes technical expertise and independent judgement in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational health hazards across a diverse university environment. 

You will conduct in-depth evaluations of workplace environments, equipment, and procedures to to ensure compliance with university standards, public health legislation and federal/state safety regulations. Your work will include performing laboratory and field analyses of potentially hazardous materials, assessing indoor air quality, monitoring exposure to chemical, biological, and physical agents, and ensuring that proper control measures – engineering, administrative, or PPE – are in place. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the implementation and management of Industrial Hygiene programs, including air and noise monitoring, exposure assessments, and chemical inventory reviews.

• Supporting medical surveillance and occupational health initiatives by identifying exposure risks and coordinating necessary monitoring and testing.

• Conducting inspections and hazard assessments to ensure workplace safety, with a focus on identifying and mitigating industrial hygiene-related risks.

• Investigating incidents and exposures to determine root causes and recommending corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

• Maintaining detailed industrial hygiene records, sampling results, and documentation to support compliance and reporting needs.

• Partnering with departments to ensure safe work procedures in high-risk areas.

• Participating in emergency response planning and providing technical support during environmental or health-related incidents.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

During you time in this role at USC, you will have the opportunity to apply your specialized knowledge in industrial hygiene to protect the health and well-being of faculty, staff, researchers and students in a dynamic academic environment.

How to Apply

• Application: Showcase your readiness to join the Trojan family by submitting a detailed application.

• Current USC Employees: Please apply through the dedicated channel in Workday.

Benefits

• USC’s Commitment to You: We offer an excellent package of benefits and programs including, but not limited to:

  • Tuition assistance for you and your family

  • Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance options

  • 403b retirement account with matching 5% contribution by USC

  • 50% subsidy off Metro, LADOT, and Metrolink passes

  • Explore more on the USC Employee Gateway

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree, combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Experience: At least 3 years experience, combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

• Current knowledge and understanding of Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations, as well as other applicable federal, state, local and university standards and regulations.

• Ability to work independently and to organize and prioritize work assignments.

• Working knowledge of safety and health management, industrial hygiene, or health physics methods, procedures, techniques, facilities and equipment.

• Skill in examining and evaluating operations and developing and/or re-engineering operating strategies, systems and procedures.

• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

We welcome candidates who demonstrate:

• Master’s degree

• 5+ years of experience

• Additional experience in lieu of Master’s degree

Salary Range:

The annual base salary for this position is between $97,000-$104,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

rations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience Minimum Skills: Current knowledge and understanding of Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations, as well as other applicable federal, state, local and university standards and regulations. Ability to work independently and to organize and prioritize work assignments. Working knowledge of safety and health management, industrial hygiene, or health physics methods, procedures, techniques, facilities and equipment. Skill in examining and evaluating operations and developing and/or re-engineering operating strategies, systems and procedures. Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical staff. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 5 years