Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking an Environmental Affairs Specialist (Environmental Health & Safety Professional I) to support campus-wide environmental compliance programs within the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). Reporting to the Environmental Affairs Manager, this position plays a key role in maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations governing hazardous materials, waste management, and pollution prevention.

The Environmental Affairs Specialist assists with the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste and supports multiple environmental programs that ensure the university operates safely and responsibly. This position contributes directly to SDSU’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and regulatory excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with hazardous waste operations including collection, transport, segregation, storage, labeling, and documentation of hazardous waste streams.
• Support vendor coordination by monitoring waste volumes, arranging and overseeing pickups, and ensuring compliant waste management activities.
• Maintain accurate records such as manifests, BioRaft entries, and waste inventories to ensure compliance with regulatory and university standards.
• Support Air, Stormwater, and Sewer permit compliance for campus and Mission Valley operations, including sampling, data management, and reporting in systems such as SMARTS and CWIQs.
• Participate in environmental audits, CUPA inspections, and annual compliance activities.
• Assist with Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) planning and reporting.
• Assist the Chemical Hygiene Officer with barcoding, inventory updates, and surplus material diversion.
• Support laboratory cleanouts, fume hood certifications, and hazardous waste pickup events.
• Conduct laboratory and workshop safety inspections, identify hazards, and help ensure corrective actions are completed.
  
  

Why Join Us?

• Play a vital role in maintaining environmental and safety compliance at one of California’s leading public universities.
• Work across diverse environmental health and safety programs.
• Collaborate with a team of dedicated EH&S professionals committed to protecting the health, safety, and sustainability of the SDSU community.
• Gain hands-on experience and training, including HAZWOPER certification, field sampling, and regulatory reporting.
• Contribute to SDSU’s mission to ensure a safe and sustainable learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Join a collaborative, mission-driven team in Environmental Health & Safety and make a direct impact on environmental stewardship, safety, and compliance at San Diego State University.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. 
• This position is designated as non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation. 
• Standard work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm , but may vary based on operational needs.  
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

Environment Health and Safety is responsible for development and implementation of programs aimed at protecting the campus community and providing compliance with numerous federal, state, and local regulatory statutes. This department reports to the Senior Associate Vice President for Administration in the Division of Business and Financial Affairs.

For more information regarding the Environmental Health and Safety Department, click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Relevant education and/or experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to lift 50 pounds unaided and manipulate 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste. 
• Basic hazardous materials awareness 
• Experience in the following areas: hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, research safety, health and safety. 
• General knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations, standards, and best practices. 
• Analytical skills to collect, analyze, and summarize data and metrics. 
• Organizational skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work. 
• Computer skills to appropriately use technology and relevant software packages as required.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Valid California Driver’s License or have the ability to obtain one within 10 days of hire.
• Ability to obtain HAZWOPER 40 hr certification within the first year of employment.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 5 ($5,605) for qualified candidates.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,178 – $7,543 per month (Step 1 – Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the University of California system.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by November 4, 2025 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Michelle Puentes at mpuentes2@sdsu.edu.