Industrial Worker Safety Specialist - Environmental Health and Safety - UTK
Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN, USA
Posted on Apr 9, 2026
Under the direction of the Supervisor, the Industrial/Worker Safety Specialist reviews, evaluates and analyzes risk in academic and work environments. IWS Specialist will assist in developing procedures to control, eliminate and prevent occupational illness or injury caused by physical, chemical, and biological hazards or ergonomic factors. IWS Specialist conducts inspections and enforces compliance with all regulatory agencies and University of Tennessee policies and procedures governing the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors.
Regular Full-time, MR08– Salary DOE & Q
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
Under the direction of the Supervisor, the Industrial/Worker Safety Specialist reviews, evaluates and analyzes risk in academic and work environments. IWS Specialist will assist in developing procedures to control, eliminate and prevent occupational illness or injury caused by physical, chemical, and biological hazards or ergonomic factors. IWS Specialist conducts inspections and enforces compliance with all regulatory agencies and University of Tennessee policies and procedures governing the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors. Regular Full-time, MR08– Salary DOE & Q
Required:
- Associates degree in the field of life science research, safety and health, industrial hygiene or closely related field required.
- Minimum two to four years of safety-related experience.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. Knowledge and prediction of physical principles and laws.
- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance, knowledge of applicable regulations, guidance documents, and institutional policies, particularly those associated with occupational safety & health regulations.
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Ability to Identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Ability to wear basic personal protective equipment (gloves, eye protection, body protection).
- Ability to use a computer and common software or web-based platforms (e.g. Microsoft Office applications, web browsers, etc.).
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field.
- ASP, CSP, OHST, or similar safety-based certification.
- Demonstrated background in safety or environmental industry.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse demographics.
- Knowledge of organizational details of research universities and facilities services.
- Ability to obtain professional certification(s) related to general or industrial safety.
- Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
- Inspections and assessments of Accidents/Incidents.
- Inspection and/or evaluation of workplace environments, equipment, or practices to assure compliance with safety standards and government regulations.
- Investigate health-related complaints and inspect facilities to ensure that they comply with public health legislation and regulations
- Recommend measures to help protect workers from potentially hazardous work methods, processes, or materials.
- Provide instruction and guidance on appropriate safety procedures in accordance with established University policies and in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
- Conduct industrial hygiene assessments, which may include sound surveys, air monitoring, ergonomic reviews, and moisture surveys.
- Investigate the adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, walking surfaces or other conditions that could affect employee health and safety.
- Collaborate with Facility Services and other departments as necessary to implement corrective or preventative measures for potentially hazardous conditions or equipment.
- Develop/maintain two or more industrial occupational safety and health programs such as hearing conservation, respiratory protection, energy control (LOTO), indoor air quality, materials handling, powered industrial vehicles, ergonomics, etc.
- Design, develop and deliver industrial/general safety occupational safety & health training.
- Investigate adequacy of ventilation, exhaust equipment, lighting, and other conditions which may affect employee health.