University of California San Diego

EH&S Specialist - 140500

Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Five or more years of EH&S experience focusing on environmental compliance and regulated waste management in healthcare.
  • In-depth knowledge of federal and state regulations involving medical and hazardous waste.
  • Proven experience in conducting audits and compliance assessments.
  • Ability to manage vendor contracts and oversight directly related to waste management.
  • Strong analytical skills with experience in tracking metrics and driving process improvements.
  • Effective communicator, capable of engaging with both frontline staff and leadership.

Responsibilities

  • Lead routine waste compliance audits and implement corrective actions based on findings.
  • Monitor waste vendor compliance and contract performance to ensure regulatory adherence.
  • Oversee waste segregation and disposal practices across different types of waste streams.
  • Support environmental compliance for on-site waste treatment systems and ensure safe operations.
  • Deliver targeted training on waste handling and compliance to staff across departments.
  • Conduct site inspections and collaborate with departments to address and resolve hazards.
  • Track compliance metrics and develop reports to drive continuous improvement in waste management practices.

Benefits

  • Career Appointment with 100% appointment percent.
  • Work in a structured schedule from Monday to Friday, 8-hour shifts.
  • Collaboration across multiple UC San Diego Health locations for diverse operational experience.
Full Job Description
Payroll Title:
EHS SPEC 4 Department:
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY Hiring Pay Scale
$118,000.00 - $127,000.00 / Yr Worksite:
Greenwich Drive Appointment Type:
Career Appointment Percent:
100% Union:
Uncovered Total Openings:
1 Work Schedule:
Days, 8-Hour Shifts , Monday - Friday

#140500 EH&S Specialist
Filing Deadline: Mon 7/27/2026
Apply Now

DESCRIPTION

UC San Diego Health is seeking an experienced Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) professional to lead regulated waste compliance and waste stream management across all UC San Diego Health locations. The EH&S 4 will focus on reducing compliance risk through routine audits, inspections, training, and process improvements that support proper waste segregation, handling, and disposal.

This role serves as the technical program specialist for regulated waste programs, including oversight of vendor compliance, waste contract performance, and systemwide waste stream management in coordination with Environmental Services (EVS) and clinical operations. The EH&S 4 will also support environmental compliance for on-site treatment systems, including autoclave operations, ensuring safe and compliant handling of medical waste.

This is a hands-on, operational role requiring strong field presence, collaboration with frontline staff, and the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical workflows. The EH&S 4 will develop and maintain SOPs, conduct audits and inspections, analyze performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement in waste compliance programs.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Waste Compliance & Audit Program (25%):Lead routine waste audits, track findings, and implement corrective actions to improve compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Identify trends and drive reduction in audit findings through targeted interventions. Coordinate closely with site-based EHS supervisor and location EH&S to ensure alignment and consistent execution across locations.
  • Vendor & Contract Compliance (10%):Serve as EH&S Specialist for waste vendor compliance. Monitor contract performance, ensure regulatory adherence, review manifests and documentation, and coordinate issue resolution with vendors and internal stakeholders. Partner with operational leads and supervisors to address issues, resolve gaps, and support consistent vendor practices across sites.
  • Waste Stream Management (20%):Oversee systemwide waste segregation and disposal practices. Partner with EVS, clinical departments, and support services to ensure proper handling of regulated medical waste, hazardous waste, pharmaceutical waste, and solid waste streams.
  • Environmental Compliance - Treatment Systems (10%):Support environmental compliance for on-site waste treatment systems including safe operation, regulatory requirements, and coordination with internal teams and external agencies.
  • Training & Program Implementation (10%):Deliver targeted, practical training on waste handling, segregation, and compliance requirements. Support rollout of process changes and ensure staff competency across departments. Support supervisors and frontline teams with tools and guidance to reinforce program expectations.
  • Inspections, Rounding & Hazard Resolution (15%):Conduct site inspections and rounding activities. Identify gaps, document findings, and work with departments to implement corrective actions.
  • Metrics, Reporting & Process Improvement (10%):Track and analyze waste compliance metrics, audit results, and program performance. Develop reports and dashboards to support leadership visibility and continuous improvement efforts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Five (5+) years of EH&S experience with a focus on environmental compliance, regulated waste, or healthcare operations.
  • Strong working knowledge of federal and state regulations related to medical waste, hazardous waste, and environmental compliance (e.g., Cal/OSHA, DTSC, EPA, DEH).
  • Experience conducting audits, inspections, and compliance assessments.
  • Experience managing or supporting vendor contracts and compliance oversight.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze data, track metrics, and drive process improvements.
  • Experience developing and delivering training in operational environments.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work with frontline staff and leadership.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) required within six (6) months of hire.
  • OSHA 30 Hours General Safety Certification.
  • Experience in healthcare or large, multi-site organizations.
  • Experience with UCSD systems and protocols.
  • Professional certifications such as CHMM, CSP, CIH, or REHS.
  • Experience with waste treatment systems or on-site processing technologies.
  • Familiarity with accreditation and regulatory agencies (e.g., Joint Commission (TJC), CDPH).
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
  • Must be able to work across multiple locations and adjust schedule based on operational needs.
Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $97,200 - $182,000 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $46.55 - $87.16

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Apply Now

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

About University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Established in 1960 near the pre-existing Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is the seventh-oldest of the 10 University of California campuses and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, enrolling approximately 38,325 students. UC San Diego is organized into six undergraduate residential colleges (Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Sixth College) and five academic divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Jacobs School of Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences). The university operates 19 organized research units (ORUs), including the Center for Energy Research, Qualcomm Institute (a branch of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology), and the San Diego Supercomputer Center.
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