Regulatory and Safety Compliance Officer & Corvallis Farm Unit Director
Position Overview
The College of Agricultrual Sciences is seeking a Regulatory and Safety Compliance Officer & Corvallis Farm Unit Director. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. The Regulatory and Safety Compliance Officer & Corvallis Farm Unit Director serves a dual leadership role within the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) at Oregon State University. This position exists to ensure that CAS maintains a robust and proactive safety culture, complies with all relevant environmental, health, and safety regulations, and effectively directs the college’s Corvallis-area plant science farms to support research, teaching, and outreach missions. As Regulatory and Safety Compliance Officer, the incumbent develops, implements, and oversees the college-wide safety and regulatory compliance program. This includes conducting risk assessments, ensuring alignment with university and governmental standards, coordinating safety training, and serving as the primary liaison with OSU Environmental Health & Safety, Risk Management, and other relevant entities. The role ensures that all CAS units operate in a safe, legally compliant, and environmentally responsible manner, supporting a safe working environment for faculty, staff, students, and the public. As Corvallis Farm Unit Director, the position provides strategic and operational leadership to five plant science farms located in the Willamette Valley. The incumbent ensures that these research farms are sustainably managed, financially viable, and well-aligned with current and future research and teaching needs. Responsibilities include supervising farm managers, budget planning, coordinating land use, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing assets. The director serves as a key liaison between farm staff, faculty researchers, college leadership, and external partners. Together, these responsibilities are central to supporting CAS’s land-based research and education infrastructure, ensuring safe and sustainable operations, and enabling the college to fulfill its mission of advancing agricultural science in service to Oregon and beyond.
Responsibilities
35% – College Safety and Regulatory Compliance Program Policy Development and Implementation Develop and maintain the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) safety program, and assist CAS units with its consistent implementation. Provide strategic oversight of the college’s overall safety program, including coordination of the CAS Safety Advisory Committee and unit-level safety committees. Interpret relevant safety and security regulations;develop and disseminate guidelines and procedures to ensure college-wide compliance. Ensure all units maintain up-to-date safety plans and designated safety coordinators;ensure alignment between CAS and OSU Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) policies. Monitor changes in federal, state, and local laws to ensure continued compliance. Develop and implement proactive strategies to mitigate recurring or emerging safety risks. Communicate and enforce college-wide safety and compliance policies and procedures. Monitoring and Inspections Conduct annual safety assessments of CAS facilities, equipment, and workspaces;provide written reports with recommendations. Lead or support investigations of incidents such as accidents, injuries, fires, and safety violations;ensure timely implementation of corrective actions. Track and evaluate the college’s overall compliance performance;identify areas for improvement. Maintain a prioritized list of safety-related projects, funding needs, and progress updates for CAS leadership. Training and Education Develop and deliver—or coordinate—training programs for CAS faculty, staff, and students. Disseminate timely updates on new regulations and procedural changes through safety bulletins, templates, checklists, and informational sessions. Serve as a subject matter expert and resource on safety practices and regulatory compliance. Liaison and Coordination Serve as CAS’s primary liaison to internal OSU units (EH&S, Risk Management, Emergency Management, Public Safety, and others) and external regulatory agencies. Maintain accurate documentation of inspections, trainings, incidents, and other compliance-related activities. Promote a culture of safety and risk awareness through clear communication, collaboration, and leadership. 20% – Leadership of CAS Plant Science Farms Provide strategic oversight and direction to the five CAS plant science farms in the Willamette Valley (Botany Farm, Hyslop Farm, Lewis Brown Farm, Vegetable Farm, and Woodhall Vineyard). Supervise farm operations through direct engagement with farm managers, ensuring sustainable land use, proper resource management, regulatory compliance, and balanced budgets. Foster strong relationships with faculty and farm users to identify and meet evolving research and operational needs. Guide long-term planning to address future research, infrastructure, and land use priorities. 10% – CAS Lands and Asset Management Oversee the responsible stewardship of CAS land, water rights, buildings, equipment, and other physical assets. Maintain an accurate, comprehensive inventory of CAS-owned and managed properties and assets. Ensure unit compliance with asset management policies and regulatory requirements. Conduct regular inspections, including habitability assessments of CAS housing/dwelling units. Act as the CAS liaison to the OSU Office of Space Management and coordinate space-related activities across the college. 10% – Farm Budgeting and Financial Planning Develop and manage a comprehensive financial plan balancing farm revenues and operational costs. Establish and maintain a consistent, transparent fee structure for farm services and land use. Plan and prioritize capital investments and maintenance for equipment, buildings, and infrastructure. 10% – Supervision Supervise and provide leadership to five full-time farm managers. Assign and review work, conduct performance evaluations, and support professional development. Lead recruitment efforts, resolve grievances, and take or recommend appropriate personnel actions, including hiring and discipline. 10% – Other Duties as Assigned Execute special projects on behalf of CAS leadership;analyze data and provide strategic insights related to operations, budgeting, and compliance. Build and maintain productive relationships with neighboring landowners and stakeholders. Coordinate and promote donations or sponsorships to support farm facilities and equipment needs. Oversee the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program, acquisitions, and inventories for the college. Collaborate with other CAS units (e.g., animal facilities, greenhouses) to share resources, equipment, and expertise for mutual benefit. 5% – Farm Land Use Planning Lead strategic land use planning to support future research needs (e.g., organic production acreage). Promote resource sharing and efficiency across farms through coordinated services (e.g., soil testing, liming, equipment use). Ensure appropriate isolation protocols for pathogen-related research activities.
Qualifications
Three years of administrative experience that could include any of the following: strategic planning or increasing responsibilities that supported the organization’s mission. Experience in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including record-keeping. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Experience in fiscal management, budgeting, and/or operational management. Experience developing, delivering, and implementing policies and procedures, training, and reports. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of colleagues and stakeholders. Knowledge of safety and risk management principles. Supervisory or team leadership experience Record of actively contributing to a respectful, safe, and inclusive work environment. This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position;therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months. This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university;therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess, and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Preferred Level of Education
A Bachelor's degree is preferred, but not required.
Benefits Offered
Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: • Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents. • Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources. • Retirement savings paid by the university. • A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave. • Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities. • Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program. • Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life. Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Compensation/Salary
$79,437.00 - $139,101.00
How to Apply
Please visit the application link below for detailed instructions on applying through the jobs portal at Oregon State University.
Application deadline: August 25, 2025
About Oregon State University - College of Agricultural Sciences
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all. FACTS: • Top 1.4% university in the world • More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined • 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S. • 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties • 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone • 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates • 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color • 217k+ alumni worldwide • For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
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Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.