Department Safety Officer

Posting Number:

PG194657EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

Working Title:

Department Safety Officer

Anticipated Hiring Range:

$69,205 - $75,000

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

Department :

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

About the Department:

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at NC State University is a nationally recognized leader in materials discovery, design and deployment. Our faculty, students and staff work at the forefront of innovation: advancing materials that enable breakthroughs in energy, electronics, health, manufacturing and sustainability.
Research in MSE spans theory, computation, synthesis, characterization and scale-up, supported by a collaborative culture and state-of-the-art facilities on NC State’s Centennial Campus. Faculty lead internationally visible efforts in areas such as artificial intelligence-driven materials design, wide bandgap semiconductors, energy storage, nanomaterials, soft and biomaterials and structural materials under extreme environments.
Representative labs include:

• Atomic-Scale Materials Lab
• Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Lab
• AIMS Lab
• Corrosion and Advanced Materials Lab
• Augustyn Research Lab

Learn how NC State MSE is leading the way to discover, create and enhance the world around us.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!
  
  

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering is seeking a full-time Safety Officer to lead and coordinate laboratory safety efforts across research and teaching spaces. This role serves as a key partner in supporting a safe, collaborative, and compliant environment for faculty, staff, researchers, and students engaged in innovative materials science and engineering work.

In this role, you will work closely with research and teaching laboratories to provide hands-on safety guidance, training, inspections, hazard assessments, and operational support across a wide range of laboratory environments and equipment. You will help strengthen departmental safety programs, support safe research and teaching practices, and contribute to a culture where safety is integrated into everyday learning, discovery, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate departmental laboratory safety programs across research and teaching spaces
• Conduct laboratory inspections, audits, hazard assessments, and follow-up corrective actions
• Partner with faculty, principal investigators, and lab leaders to develop safety plans, SOPs, and risk mitigation strategies
• Support chemical inventory management, hazardous materials guidance, and laboratory access/security processes
• Coordinate safety onboarding, training, compliance documentation, and offboarding activities
• Serve as the primary instructor and coordinator for departmental safety education and training initiatives
• Support safe operation of shared teaching laboratories, undergraduate lab courses, outreach programs, and student projects
• Collaborate with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), departmental committees, and university partners on safety and compliance initiatives
• Assist with incident response, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement of departmental safety practices
• Lead departmental safety communications, outreach efforts, and annual safety engagement events
• Provide guidance on new equipment, laboratory processes, and safety infrastructure improvements
• Supervise student workers and temporary staff supporting departmental safety operations
  
  

If you are someone who enjoys building relationships, supporting others in hands-on environments, improving processes, and helping create spaces where research and learning can thrive safely, we encourage you to apply.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Relevant post-baccalaureate credentials required; bachelor’s degree plus alternative or equivalent professional training and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree on an exceptional basis.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of laboratory safety regulations, policies, and compliance requirements in research or technical environments
• Experience supporting or coordinating safety programs in laboratories, industrial settings, or similarly safety-critical environments
• Ability to communicate safety requirements clearly to diverse audiences through training, presentations, and written guidance
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated success managing documentation, inspections, training records, and competing priorities
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships across faculty, researchers, students, and staff while supporting a culture of safety and accountability
• Capacity to rapidly learn and apply knowledge of laboratory hazards (e.g., chemicals, electrical systems, pressure systems, fire risks, and equipment-related risks) to support safe operations

Preferred Qualifications:

If not already certified, the Safety Officer will be supported in obtaining these certifications: OSHA HazCom 29 CFR 1910.1200; OSHA HAZWOPER 24 or 40 hr 29 CFR 1910.120; laser safety training (Class 3B or 4); biosafety training; radiation safety training; AHA First Aid /CPR/AED training.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required:

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required:

No

Job Open Date:

05/28/2026

Anticipated Close Date:

6/10/2026; if posting is active, we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants should attach a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references.

Position Number:

00112064

Position Type:

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week):

1.0

Appointment:

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather:

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events:

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID:

140801 - Materials Science &Engineering

EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.