Description

Kansas State University seeks a Director of Environmental Health & Safety
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/K-State_Dir_EHS_Profile.pdf
Location: Manhattan, Kansas 

The Position:
The Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university’s EHS department, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. This role plans, develops, and manages a comprehensive, highly technical service organization that supports research, academic, and operational programs. Reporting to the Chief Risk and Safety Officer and working closely with other units within the Division of Risk and Safety, the Director oversees programs including chemical, biological, radiation, laboratory, fire, and occupational safety; hazardous materials management; and environmental protection, while ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of six years of relevant experience, with additional relevant education potentially counting toward experience as determined by the hiring manager. 

The Risk and Safety Division at Kansas State University consists of EHS, Risk Management, Emergency Management, University Police, and Physical Security departments, all cohesively working together to reduce risk and make K-State safer. 

Responsibilities:

• Designs, develops, and implements institution-wide Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) strategies, programs, procedures, processes, and systems to ensure compliance with internal policies and all applicable local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Provides strategic leadership and subject-matter expertise to ensure appropriate EHS governance structures, systems, and resources are established and aligned with university priorities.
• Conducts ongoing data-driven risk and trend analyses to identify existing and emerging EHS hazards and regulatory issues and independently develops mitigation and prevention strategies.
• Continuously evaluates university-wide EHS risks and hazards and provides advanced technical guidance to ensure regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and continuous program improvement.
• Ensures the Environmental Health & Safety department delivers effective, efficient, and high-quality services across chemical, biological, and radiological materials management and disposal; occupational safety and industrial hygiene; laboratory, radiation, and laser safety; site assessments; hazard and contaminant surveys; investigations; training; hazardous materials release response; environmental sampling; compliance reporting; compliance and safety inspections; remediation activities; hazard and risk assessments; corrective actions; construction plan review; and code and regulatory review.
• Provides oversight and management for the fire safety group and University Fire Marshal.
• Works closely with Risk Management and Human Resources on incident tracking, root cause analysis investigations, and data analytics.
• Establishes and maintains standards for exceptional customer service.
• Working closely with Emergency Management and University Police, develops and oversees emergency response and continuity of operations planning for EHS program areas, including response exercises, emergency contingency planning, and hazardous materials security planning.
• Assigns management of the hazardous materials response team and ensures appropriate fiscal, medical, and training support, including medical surveillance, examinations, training, personal protective equipment, response equipment, and supplies.
• Provides direct leadership of EHS staff and management, fostering a high-performing, service-oriented culture.
• Collaborates with managers and staff to establish goals, vision, and mission; provides clear direction to achieve objectives; and promotes employee engagement, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
• Develops and manages the EHS operating budget and allocates financial resources to support strategic priorities, regulatory obligations, and operational needs.
• Identifies, justifies, and prioritizes funding for staffing, equipment, technology, training, and program enhancements.
• Manages safety-related vendors and contracts.
• Oversees procurement and lifecycle management of EHS equipment, instrumentation, and response assets.
• Evaluates resource utilization and operational efficiency to ensure cost-effective delivery of services while maintaining program quality and compliance.
• Serves as the institutional liaison to federal and state oversight agencies and accrediting bodies related to environmental health and safety and fire safety, including but not limited to KDHE, EPA, KDOL, OSFA, DOT, and OSHA.
• Ensures all required data, documentation, and regulatory reporting are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.
• Oversees agency inquiries, inspections, audits, and investigations, and directs associated response actions and compliance reporting.
• Communicates and collaborates with vice presidents, deans, department heads, faculty, staff, and students to provide technical assistance, guidance, and oversight on environmental health and safety matters.
• Interprets regulatory requirements and institutional policy for campus stakeholders and facilitates resolution of complex compliance and risk issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Associate Vice President and Chief Risk and Safety Officer. 

Qualifications:
Required:

• A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field.
• A minimum of six years of relevant experience (education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager).
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing individuals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated record of a strong customer service approach.
• Strong project management skills.  

Competitive candidates will possess some or all of these qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or a related field.
• Experience managing an EHS unit at a college or university as a director or assistant director.
• EHS-related certifications such as a CSP, a CIH, or a CHMM.

About Kansas State University:
Founded in 1863 as the nation’s first operational land-grant university, Kansas State University (K-State) is a Tier 1 research university with more than 20,200 students, 1,300 faculty members, 3,000 staff members and three physical campuses: the main campus in Manhattan; the K-State Salina campus, home to aviation and technology programs; and K-State Olathe, which serves the industry and workforce needs of Greater Kansas City.

K-State has nine colleges, a Graduate School, and K-State Online, which offer more than 400 degrees and options, from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees. K-State Research and Extension also serves the citizenry with a presence in every county throughout Kansas and supports research in more than 20 K-State departments. 

With an annual budget of more than $900 million, K-State is known for the passion and pride of its alumni. With more than 200,000 living graduates, the K-State Alumni Association has been No.1 in the Big 12 Conference for more than 25 years, based on the percentage of graduates who are members, and No. 4 among Power Five conferences. Private giving to the university is around $200 million per year, and the KSU Foundation has an investment pool and endowment of $1 billion. The university and foundation recently completed a major fundraising campaign that raised $1.6 billion. The Princeton Review recognizes the university as one of the nation’s best colleges. K-State also has been designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and is recognized as a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. Commonly referred to as K-State, the university is proud of its welcoming environment. Click here to learn more about K-State. 

University Mission, Vision and Values:
The mission of Kansas State University is to foster excellent teaching, research and service that develop the highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation and the international community. 

The vision of K-State is to lead the nation as a next generation land-grant university – setting the standard for inspiring learning, creativity, discovery and engagement that positively impacts society and transforms lives in Kansas and around the world. The university’s values and principles of community guide how the community lives out its mission at K-State. For more information about K-State, please visit the university profile. 

Why Consider the Opportunity:

• Dynamic University. Kansas State University’s ambitious Next-Gen Strategic Plan is designed to elevate the university’s key differentiators while embracing transformation not just as an idea but as an imperative. The Next-Gen plan outlines the institution’s approach to serving new kinds of learners, solving grand challenges, and contributing to economic prosperity for the state.
• Connected Community. KSU’s Environmental Health and Safety department actively collaborates with groups across campus, fostering positive relationships and promoting a positive and supportive work culture.
• Competitive Compensation Package. The university recognizes the importance of environmental health and safety in ensuring the well-being of the entire campus community and provides a competitive compensation package for this critical leadership role.
• Strong Benefits. Being part of the K-State family comes with access to a variety of benefits that make life a little easier. The university centers its employees as its greatest asset and takes pride in ensuring a positive, responsive environment that prioritizes their needs. In addition to multiple options for medical plans, this position is eligible for a retirement plan that offers an employer contribution. Click here to learn more.
• Location. Manhattan (known as the “Little Apple”) is a great place to live and work. The city boasts a low cost of living with a full selection of housing options. The area offers an array of outdoor recreational opportunities, an eclectic downtown area, including the oldest shopping district in the state (Aggieville), and a strong public school system.  

To Apply:
A confidential review of applications will begin immediately. Applications received by October 9, 2026, will be given priority consideration. Please apply online by submitting 1) a PDF version of your resume; 2) a cover letter that addresses your reasons for interest and outlines your related experience.  

To apply online: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su521 

For more information or to offer recommendations or nominations:
Caitlin Hummel
585-880-7550
chummel@summitsearchsolutions.com 

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.  

Background Screening Statement: Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.