Director of Chemical Safety - CHO
MADISON
Saturday, 09 May 2026
Under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), the Director of Chemical Safety (DCS)/ Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) manages and directs the chemical safety/hygiene, hazardous waste management and environmental compliance programs for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and offsite facilities such as agricultural research stations. The DCS/ CHO is responsible for developing, supporting, and promoting programs necessary to help maintain a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. They also oversee policies, procedures and programs that ensure the safe and compliant use of chemicals in laboratories and other university facilities. The DCS/ CHO, assisted by program staff, provides consultative services to faculty and staff related to the safe handling and disposal of chemicals. They work closely with faculty and staff to set chemical safety policies for the university and interpret these into goals and objectives for the department. The person in this position must be skilled in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace and environmental health hazards, especially those related to chemical use. Strong interpersonal skills will be required to build effective working relationships, negotiate and solve problems with multiple constituencies in a large, decentralized research environment. Experience in risk communication is highly desirable. Ongoing/ Renewable. Full-Time: 100% FTE - Key Job Responsibilities:Assists in the development of strategic safety initiatives, coordinating with other areas of specialty to ensure cross-functional alignment. Leads efforts to ensure that non-laboratory locations (including housing, athletics, animal care facilities, and agricultural research stations) are compliant with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Lead campus-wide efforts to ensure that hazardous chemicals are used in a safe manner that is consistent with the campus Chemical Hygiene Plan. Assists in the development of operating policies and procedures to comply with established industry regulations and unit objectives. Oversees the appropriate application and interpretation of policies, procedures, and programs affecting the use and disposal of chemicals and other hazardous materials across campus and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations. Responsible for all aspects of the campus chemical safety, hazardous waste management & disposal, and environmental compliance programs; this includes setting unit strategic and operational goals and overseeing the department budget. Serves as the unit liaison to institutional stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit in the absence of a director. Department:Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), Chemical Safety. FP&M is a full-spectrum service organization that builds, maintains, and operates the physical environment of UW-Madison in the university's education, research, and outreach activities. Find out more about our division: EHS provides guidance, technical consultations, and expertise to the campus community in the areas of biological, chemical, environmental, engineering, radiation, and fire safety. Find out more about EHS: Compensation:$125,000 minimum The minimum salary for this position is $125,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see the Academic Staff Benefits Summary. Required Qualifications:Applicants with a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field, must also meet the minimum criteria below:Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience managing chemical safety and general laboratory safety programs. Minimum of five (5) years of formal supervisory experience. Applicants with a Master's degree (or higher) from an accredited institution in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field, must also meet the minimum criteria below:Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience managing chemical safety and general laboratory safety programs. Minimum of three (3) years of formal supervisory experience. All applicants must have experience working in or directly supporting laboratories. Preferred Qualifications:Experience managing chemical safety programs at a large academic institution. PhD. in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field. Education:Bachelor’s Degree Required; focus in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field required.