To collect and properly store hazardous waste generated from campus locations and ensure that waste is transported, accumulated, and shipped according to applicable Federal, State and local regulations.
Researches and safely collects, transports, and stores hazardous waste generated from facilities throughout the USF System including labs, studios, and shops. Consolidates hazardous waste, applies appropriate marking and labels, and prepares waste for shipment. Ensures that waste is managed according to applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. Acts as point of contact with hazardous waste vendors to ensure excellent service. Maintains hazardous waste facility according to applicable regulations. Delivers hazardous waste supplies to waste generators and ensures adequate stock of waste supplies is maintained.
Maintains documentation including weekly facility inspection logs, hazardous waste pickup records, hazardous waste manifests, and incident response sheets. Compiles data to support completion of reports to regulatory agencies. Assists with invoice approval for all waste disposal. Utilizes software applications including Access and CampusOptics.
Assists the Laboratory Safety Specialists and Environmental Manager, including conducting safety and compliance inspections, fume hood testing, incident investigations, and training.
Provides response and cleanup for minor chemical and bio-hazardous material releases.
Provides guidance to USF faculty, staff, and students to assist in maintaining compliance with hazardous (chemical), biohazardous and pharmaceutical waste regulations.
Performs other duties as necessary to support the overall mission of the Division of Environmental Health and Safety.
Minimum Qualifications:
This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent and four years of experience in a research, research compliance, or safety compliance program; an Associate’s degree may substitute for two years of the required experience. A Bachelor’s Degree may substitute for the required experience.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Preferred Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have at least one year of full-time work experience handling chemicals and/or responding to hazardous materials releases, regardless of education level. Additional preferred qualifications include a B.S. in Natural Sciences or Public Health and at least two years of experience in research, research compliance, or safety compliance program with more than one year of experience handling chemicals and/or responding to hazardous materials releases.
Special Skills/Training:
RCRA hazardous waste training, DOT Hazardous Materials Transportation training, Biomedical
Waste Training, 40 Hour HAZWOPER, OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, OSHA Lab
Standard, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Essential Personnel:
This position has been designated as Essential Personnel. Essential Personnel may be required to participate in preparedness/response/recovery activities outside of normal work hours, including USF closings, in response to a major emergency or natural disasters affecting USF operations.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
