Director, Life Safety, Physical Environment, %26 Emergency Preparedness

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director, Life Safety, Physical Environment, & Emergency Preparedness at Southampton Hospital provides strategic leadership, oversight, and direction for the organization's Life Safety, Physical Environment, Environment of Care (EOC), Emergency Management, Utility Management, and Regulatory Readiness programs. The Director is responsible for ensuring a safe, compliant, and highly reliable care environment across all hospital and affiliated ambulatory/article 28 locations. 

Serving as the organization's subject matter expert for Life Safety and Physical Environment/EOC standards, the Director develops and executes strategies that promote regulatory compliance, operational excellence, risk reduction, and continuous survey readiness. The Director works collaboratively with executive leadership, Facilities Management, Safety and Security, Infection Prevention, Clinical Operations, Emergency Management, and Support Services to establish policies, performance standards, and organizational priorities that align with the mission and strategic goals of the health system. 

The Director leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs designed to ensure compliance with requirements established by The Joint Commission, CMS Conditions of Participation, NFPA Life Safety Code, OSHA, NYSDOH, and other applicable regulatory agencies. The position provides executive oversight of Environment of Care and Life Safety committees, serves as a key advisor during construction and renovation projects, and drives organizational performance improvement initiatives related to safety, risk management, and operational resilience. 

The Director is accountable for fostering a culture of safety and regulatory excellence through leadership development, staff education, multidisciplinary collaboration, and proactive risk assessment.

JOB DUTIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership & Program Oversight

• Provide strategic direction and executive oversight for all Environment of Care, Life Safety, Emergency Management, Utility Management, and Physical Environment programs. 
• Develop long-range organizational plans, priorities, and initiatives to advance safety, regulatory compliance, and operational performance. 
• Serve as the organization's primary authority and advisor regarding Joint Commission, CMS, NFPA, OSHA, and state regulatory standards related to the physical environment.
• Establish enterprise-wide standards, policies, and performance measures to support regulatory compliance and continuous survey readiness. 
• Lead organizational efforts to integrate Life Safety and Environment of Care principles into strategic planning and operational decision-making. 

Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation

• Direct all accreditation and regulatory preparedness activities related to the physical environment and life safety management programs. 
• Provide executive leadership during regulatory surveys, inspections, and accreditation reviews. 
• Oversee corrective action planning, risk mitigation strategies, and sustainment activities resulting from survey findings and compliance assessments. 
• Monitor emerging regulatory requirements and assess organizational impact, developing implementation strategies as necessary. 
• Ensure maintenance of all required documentation, reports, life safety drawings, assessments, and compliance records. 

Risk Management & Performance Improvement

• Lead enterprise-wide risk assessments and environment-of-care evaluations to identify vulnerabilities and opportunities for improvement.
• Establish key performance indicators and dashboards to measure program effectiveness and maintain regulatory compliance. 
• Drive performance improvement initiatives designed to enhance patient, visitor, and employee safety.
• Analyze safety trends, incidents, and environmental risks and implement sustainable solutions to reduce organizational exposure. 
• Collaborate with executive leadership to prioritize and mitigate operational and regulatory risks. 

Operational & Financial Leadership

• Provide oversight and strategic guidance regarding maintenance programs, utility management systems, construction projects, interim life safety measures, and environment-related capital investments. 
• Partner with Facilities Management and Engineering leadership to ensure compliance with life safety and building code requirements. 
• Develop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets. 
• Evaluate resource requirements and make recommendations regarding staffing, technology, equipment, and infrastructure investments. 
• Participate in capital planning activities and provide guidance regarding regulatory implications of proposed capital projects. 

Committee Leadership & Organizational Collaboration

• Chair or provide executive leadership to the Environment of Care Committee, Safety Committee, Emergency Management Committee, and other multidisciplinary leadership groups as assigned.
• Partner with leaders across clinical, operational, and support service departments to promote a culture of safety and regulatory excellence. 
• Partner with leaders across clinical, operational, and support service departments to promote a culture of safety and regulatory excellence. 
• Serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies, accreditation organizations, consultants, and external partners.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to senior leadership regarding regulatory compliance, risk management, and program performance.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor staff responsible for Environment of Care, Life Safety, Emergency Management, and regulatory compliance programs. 
• Establish clear goals, accountability measures, and professional development opportunities for team members.
• Promote organizational awareness through staff education programs related to Life Safety, Environment of Care, emergency preparedness, and regulatory requirements. 
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in healthcare administration, Engineering, Facilities Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Public Health, Business Administration, or related fields. 
• Minimum of Five (5) – Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in healthcare facilities, Life Safety, Environment of Care, Safety Management, Emergency Management, Regulatory Compliance, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading regulatory readiness programs and managing compliance with Joint Commission, CMS Conditions of Participation, NFPA Life Safety Code, OSHA, and state regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and organizational performance improvement initiatives. 
• Strong knowledge of healthcare operations, risk management principles, construction compliance, and facility regulatory requirements. 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in healthcare administration, Business Administration, Public Health, Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CHFM, CHSP, CHEP, CSP, CEM, or equivalent.
• Experience serving in a leadership role during Joint Commission, CMS, DNV, or state regulatory surveys.
• Demonstrated experience with strategic planning, budget management, and capital project oversight.
• Experience supporting multi-site healthcare operations and ambulatory care environments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Frequent walking, standing, and rounding throughout hospital campuses and affiliated facilities.
• Ability to access rooftops, utility spaces, construction areas, and mechanical environments during inspections and assessments.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders and perform physical inspections of life safety and environmental systems.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.
• Ability to work in administrative, clinical, construction, and mechanical environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, and environmental conditions.
• Ability to respond to emergencies, regulatory surveys, critical incidents, and operational disruptions outside of normal business hours.

LOCATION & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 

• This position will be primarily based out of Southampton Hospital.
• There will be a requirement to travel and work at multiple locations across Southampton's ambulatory network upwards on a regulary occuring basis (Spanning from Westhampton – Amagansett).

As part of employment at Southampton Hospital, there may be occasions when travel to other locations is needed to support operational needs.

Special Notes: Resume/CV should be included with the online application.

• Stony Brook Medicine is a smoke free environment. Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas on the premises.
• All Hospital positions may be subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary. 
• This position may require the wearing of respiratory protection, which may prohibit the wearing of facial hair. 
• This function/position maybe designated as “essential.” This means that when the Hospital is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover, and continue operations at Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital and related facilities. 

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established based on relevant experience.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents SBSH’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number in your paycheck!

Prior to start date, the selected candidate must meet the following requirements: 

Successfully complete pre-employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Employee Health Services*

• Complete electronic reference check with a minimum of three (3) professional references.
• Successfully complete a 4 panel drug screen*
• Meet Regulatory Requirements for pre-employment screenings.
• Provide a copy of any required New York State license(s)/certificate(s).

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements could result in a delayed start date and/or revocation of the employment offer. 

*The hiring department will be responsible for any fee incurred for examination.

Company Overview:

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital as part of Stony Brook Medicine provides direct access to the highest level of academic-based medical care. Located in the heart of the village of Southampton, two hours from New York City, the hospital provides healthcare services to a diverse community of year-round residents, second homeowners and vacationers. The population, about 75,000 in the winter months, increases sharply to more than 300,000 in the summer. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital has been recognized as a Long Island Top Workplace by Newsday among large employers (defined as having 500 employees). 

StaffCo is a Professional Employer Organization, commonly referred to as a PEO, duty organized and registered under the New York Professional Employer Organization Law. StaffCo and SUNY have entered into a professional employer agreement under which StaffCo is the employer of Stony Brook Southampton employees and responsible for employment, including, promotions, disciplines, terminations, the day-to-day direction and supervision of work, as well as labor relations and collective bargaining. StaffCo is fully responsible for providing all payroll and human resource services, including the payment of wages, collecting and reporting payroll taxes and maintaining any and all employee benefits.  SUNY Stony Brook Hospital is responsible for the operation of the hospital and provision of health care and is the co-employer as is necessary to conduct its responsibilities and for related licensure, regulatory or statutory requirements and obligations.    

Given StaffCo’s employment responsibilities, it is deemed the “employer” for employment and labor law purposes.  Thus, the employees are private sector employees of StaffCo, not public sector employees of SUNY.  The private sector nature of the StaffCo employees has been approved by NYS Civil Service and upheld in a decision by the US National Labor Relations Board.

Stony Brook Medicine is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, consistent with our shared core values and our intent to achieve excellence, remains dedicated to supporting healthier and more resilient communities, both locally and globally.