Associate Vice President for Emergency and Environmental Risk Services

Job #: 042088
Location Syracuse, NY
Pay Range: $180,000 - $210,000
Hours:

Standard University business hours with additional hours as necessary.

Job Type: Full Time

Job Description:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Associate Vice President for Emergency and Environmental Risk Services (AVP, ERS) will lead a newly unified safety and risk management function at Syracuse University. This strategic role consolidates fire and life safety, occupational health and safety, environmental compliance, hazardous materials, research safety, SU Ambulance, medical transport, non-law enforcement emergency response and global safety services, for purposes of greater business continuity, into a single enterprise-wide department. The AVP will provide executive direction for all non-law enforcement emergency and safety services, ensuring consistent compliance with federal, state, and university regulations. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, setting the program vision and goals, supervising senior ERS staff, and aligning resources and policies across campus.

The AVP will serve as the universitys principal safety and emergency services executive, working closely with the CFO, Risk & Compliance, and other campus partners. This position will develop and implement integrated policies and procedures (in consultation with campus emergency management, public safety, Auxiliary and Facilities services and Academic Affairs) to protect students, employees, and research activities. The AVP will represent the university in regulatory reviews in partnerships with external agencies (e.g. Fire and EMS departments) and will report regularly on risk metrics to the CFO and other campus stakeholders. In summary, this role provides high-level leadership and coordination for all aspects of Syracuses ERS and non-law enforcement emergency response programs, ensuring that personnel, training, and systems are managed in a unified and efficient way.

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety, Engineering, Public Health or a related field (Masters or professional degree preferred)
Ten (10 plus years of progressively responsible experience in environmental health, safety, or emergency management roles, including significant supervisory or leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience leading safety and compliance programs in a complex organization (higher education, healthcare, manufacturing, or government).
In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations affecting ERS programs (OSHA, EPA, NYS DEC, NYC Fire Code, etc.).
Successful track record managing sizable budgets and diverse professional staff (e.g., safety officers, industrial hygienists, emergency planners).
Strong background in program development, policy writing, and training in safety, laboratory, and environmental compliance.
Professional certifications (e.g. Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or similar) and familiarity with risk management principles preferred.
Experience with emergency preparedness and incident command systems.

Skills and Knowledge:

Strategic Leadership: Proven ability to set vision and drive strategic direction for a multi-disciplinary safety organization. Strong leadership skills to mentor managers and inspire a collaborative safety culture.
Regulatory Expertise: Mastery of ERS regulations and standards. Ability to interpret complex regulatory requirements and translate them into effective university policies and practices.
Emergency Response: Expertise in non-law enforcement emergency response.
Analytical & Planning Skills: Detail-oriented and data-driven, able to analyze safety data and risk assessments. Skilled in project planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
Decision-Making: Excellent judgment and decision-making ability under pressure, including prioritizing actions during emergencies and regulatory changes.
Financial Acumen: Competence in developing and managing operating budgets; ability to align financial resources with strategic ERS goals.
Communication & Collaboration: Outstanding written and verbal communication. Able to articulate ERS issues clearly to diverse audiences (executive leadership, faculty, staff, regulators). Strong customer service and stakeholder engagement orientation.
Interpersonal Skills: Collaborative approach with high interpersonal skills; adept at building consensus among stakeholders across campus.
Technical Proficiency: Working knowledge of modern ERS information systems and compliance tracking tools. Aptitude for learning emerging technologies related to safety and sustainability.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Integration:

Serve as the executive leader of the ERS unit, providing vision and oversight for all safety, health, and emergency programs.
Oversee department heads (e.g. Environmental Compliance, Research Safety, Fire/Life and Occupational Safety, Emergency Management, SU Ambulance and Global Safety Services) to ensure their functions are fully integrated.
Develop and implement long-range ERS strategy and performance metrics.
Mentor and evaluate senior staff, and coordinate with the CFO and other executives to align the ERS mission with university priorities.
Ensure that emergency response, fire prevention, occupational safety, hazardous materials, and environmental programs operate as a cohesive enterprise to support Syracuses academic and operational goals.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:

Lead the creation and administration of comprehensive safety and compliance programs across campus.
Ensure adherence to relevant regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, EPA, NFPA, Department of Transportation (hazardous materials).
Direct audits, inspections, and incident investigations to identify hazards and enforce mitigation.
Develop and revise university-wide policies, procedures and training to meet evolving standards.
Advise university leadership on regulatory trends and risk management, and coordinate with Risk & Compliance to maintain an effective enterprise risk framework. For example, this role will drive the ERS compliance scorecard efforts and close identified gaps in safety programs.

Policy & Program Development:

Manage the continuous improvement of safety and health initiatives.
Establish and update policies, standards, and educational programs in fire safety, lab safety, chemical hygiene, industrial hygiene, and hazard communication.
Oversee the development of training and outreach programs to build a strong safety culture.
Ensure the integration of training resources, including any shared services with Facilities and Auxiliary Services. Evaluate new technologies and best practices for workplace and laboratory safety.
Serve on relevant committees and task forces to ensure ERS considerations are incorporated into research planning, construction projects, and campus operations.

Financial & Resource Management:

Administer the ERS budget and optimize resource allocation.
Collaborate with the CFO to set and adjust budget targets for ERS programs.
Monitor expenditures for regulatory projects (e.g. remediation, training, inspections) and negotiate contracts with vendors and consultants.
Recommend staffing levels and manage hiring or redeployment of personnel to meet unit needs.
Identify cost efficiencies, such as shared services for health surveillance or waste removal.
Provide regular financial and operational reports to the CFO and University leadership.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement:

Act as the principal ERS ambassador to the Syracuse community and external agencies.
Communicate ERS plans, requirements, and performance to faculty, staff, and students through reports, presentations, and liaison meetings.
Coordinate with campus partners (Faculty Senate, deans, department heads) to support research safety and compliance activities.
Represent Syracuse in professional forums (e.g. CSHEMA, local fire marshals, regional safety councils) and maintain relationships with regulatory bodies.
Prepare executive briefings and Board reports on ERS metrics, incidents, and risk issues, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.
Other duties as assigned.

About Syracuse University:

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the Universitys 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area:

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

Application Deadline:
Full Consideration By:

To apply, visit https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/110326

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The Universitys contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

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About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a place where talent, desire, and opportunity thrive. In 12 different schools and colleges that span the liberal arts and professional disciplines, students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds come together to learn, create, and break boundaries. The University is also a vital part of the community, providing services as well as being a leader in employee benefits, work-life and organizational development, training, student employment, staff relations, and workforce diversity. Syracuse itself is located at the crossroads of New York State, and offers a lush landscape of seasons. From fun-filled summers in the Finger Lakes to snowy winters that thrill outdoor sports enthusiasts, the area truly has something for everyone.

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