The University of Maine System (UMS) is seeking a Safety Specialist I to join our Risk and Safety Management (RSM) team. This position has a strong emphasis on industrial hygiene, with responsibilities that include monitoring, hazardous materials management, and guidance on chemical, noise, and physical agent risks in the workplace.

In addition to industrial hygiene, the successful candidate may also contribute to occupational safety in general industry and construction, as well as emergency management and life safety. This is an excellent opportunity for a safety professional who values collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement to make an impact across all UMS campuses.

RSM partners with all eight UMS campuses to protect people, property, and the environment through effective training, consultation, and risk mitigation strategies. Guided by our values of flexibility, trust, and empowerment, we foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement in support of UMS’s mission of teaching, research, and public service.

This position can be located on any University of Maine System campus with the option for a hybrid work schedule. The main Risk and Safety Management office is on the Orono campus. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with flexibility to work occasional evenings or overnights as necessary to meet our clients' needs. There will be up to 50% travel statewide and occasional overnight stays.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct exposure monitoring and assessments related to chemicals, noise, and physical agents.
Provide technical guidance and mitigation strategies for hazardous materials handling.
Develop and deliver occupational safety and industrial hygiene training, in-person and online.
Assist in incident investigations, especially where industrial hygiene expertise is needed.
Perform audits and client observations to assess compliance with OSHA, University policies, and state/federal regulations.
Collaborate with departments and stakeholders on written safety programs, SOPs, and corrective actions.
Partner with RSM colleagues to strengthen safety culture and build redundancy across disciplines.

Please review the full Safety Specialist job description for more information

Salary: The salary range for this position is $55,000 to $60,000, commensurate with the candidate's training, education, and experience.

Benefits: The University of Maine System offers a highly competitive benefits package that includes (but is not limited to):

13 paid holidays plus earned vacation and sick time
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
Short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance
Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance
Tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents (spouse, domestic partner, and dependent children)
403(b) retirement plan with 10% employer contribution

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.

Qualifications

Required:

A Bachelor's degree in occupational or life safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, emergency management, occupational health, life or physical sciences, physics/biology, or chemistry, or a related field, OR
- Equivalent experience (e.g., military or technical occupational safety background).
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with diverse community members.
Willingness to obtain Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST) certification within one year.
Valid driver's license and a willingness to travel up to 50%.

Preferred:

Chemistry background with hands-on experience in hazardous materials.
Familiarity with industrial hygiene equipment and methods for exposure testing.
Experience in university or research environments.

How to Apply:

Materials must be submitted via “Apply Now” below. You will need to complete an application and upload the following:

A cover letter that describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position.
A resume/curriculum vitae.

Important items to know about the recruitment process:

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. For full consideration, materials must be submitted no later than September 9, 2025.
Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered.
Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide three (3) names and contact information for references.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screenings.
We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship now or in the future.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity, or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Clery Act The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish, and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years, and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS), established in 1968, consists of seven universities and the University of Maine School of Law, spread across various locations in Maine. UMS provides system-wide services and governance from these locations, leveraging the distinct strengths and collaborations among its institutions to advance strategic priorities for UMS and the state of Maine.

Choosing UMS means opting for a high quality of life supported by excellent benefits such as tuition waivers, robust retirement contributions, and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. Maine's diverse landscapes, from accessible wilderness and rugged coastline to urban centers and rural communities, offer numerous cultural activities, strong public schools, safe neighborhoods, and high-quality healthcare. Discover more about Maine's exemplary lifestyle on the Maine Office of Tourism website.