Department Contact: Eileen Nevarez, 575-646-3327, eilnev@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: EHS&RM is looking for a motivated individual to join our team, to help keep the NMSU community safe!

Position Details

Position Title: Safety Specialist

College/Division: Administration and Finance

Department: 500200-ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SAFETY & RISK

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: N/A

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: After hours, on an emergency basis

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Core Program Areas
This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining focused EHS&RM programs, which
may include:
• Industrial Hygiene: Indoor air quality assessments, respiratory protection and fit-testing, exposure
monitoring, noise assessments, and ergonomic evaluations.
• Fire and Life Safety: Fire code compliance, fire suppression and detection systems, fire extinguisher
inspections, evacuation planning, emergency preparedness drills, building life safety systems inspections,
and special event safety oversight.
• Occupational Safety: Lockout/tagout, confined space entry, fall protection, machine guarding, shop
safety, agricultural and field safety, forklift/aerial lift/crane safety, scaffolding/ladder safety, and general
construction safety.
• Laboratory safety, chemical and hazardous materials management, hazard
communication, hazardous waste handling, radiation safety, laser safety, biological safety, and specialized
equipment certification for research activities.

Inspections and Assessments
• Conduct industrial hygiene activities, such as indoor air quality assessments, incident/accident
response, worker exposure evaluations, and workplace hazard assessments, including activity
tracking and documentation.
• Operate and maintain industrial hygiene equipment to measure workplace conditions, evaluate exposures, and perform safety assessments.
• Conduct routine and non-routine inspections and formal assessments to identify and mitigate
health and safety hazards across NMSU facilities, including laboratories, shops, farms,
mechanical rooms, offices, classrooms, and common areas.
• Responsible for generating, documenting, and tracking hazard reviews, assessments, and investigations,
including recommendations for addressing physical and operational safety deficiencies.

Training and Communication
• Develop, deliver, promote, and manage records for EHS&RM training
programs, offered in instructor-led format and online format.
• Communicate effectively with the university community, responding to inquiries about EHS&RM
protocols, procedures, and training to enhance safety, reduce property losses, protect the
environment, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Incident Response and Investigation
• Respond to incidents, accidents, and emergencies, including indoor air quality concerns, hazardous material releases and fire/life
safety concerns.
• Conduct thorough investigations, determine root causes, and recommend corrective actions.

Program Administration
• Develop, review, and update EHS&RM policies, procedures, and web-based resources.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and regulatory reports in assigned program areas.
• Participate in EHS&RM working groups, university safety committees, and emergency planning
meetings.

Additional Duties
• Perform other related tasks as assigned, which may include conducting and supporting other incident/accident
investigations, workplace evaluations, or other safety-related initiatives.
• Adapt to evolving departmental needs to support the university’s safety and compliance
objectives.
• This position plays a critical role in fostering a safe and compliant campus environment,
supporting NMSU’s commitment to employee and public safety, environmental stewardship, and
operational excellence.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Associate's Degree + 7 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 5 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications: 
Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience as approved by Human Resource Services.

Preferred Qualifications: 
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and 3 years of directly related experience in one or more of the following areas:
o Hazardous waste handling / RCRA programs
o Regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, CUPA)
o Inspections, audits, or enforcement
o Emergency response / incident management
o EHS program implementation
o Fire and Life Safety

Special Certification/Licensure: 
This position has been established as a primary key position under the “All Hazard Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)” and is essential to operational continuity and/or recovery. In an emergency, primary key positions are required to report to work unless directed by supervisor or public safety authorities not to report for health and safety reasons.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves almost constant exposure to unusual elements: i.e. extreme temp, toxic chemicals, biohazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, loud noises, other potentially dangerous materials/situations that require safety precaution/protective equip

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to 50 pounds.

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.