Staff Spotlight: John Orawiec
John Orawiec is joining the College of Engineering this fall as the Director of Strategic Change in Safety Culture and Programs.
John has spent fourteen years specializing in designing and implementing safety management systems including managing complex multi-disciplinary academic research safety, developing and delivering safety training, auditing for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance and general injury prevention.
John will be the point of contact for anything risk or safety related and the safety liaison to the College of Engineering dean. He will continue to help the college embrace a more cohesive, supportive, engaging and participative safety culture.
In this edition of the College of Engineering’s Staff Spotlight, we get to know more about John.
Where are you from originally?
A south suburb of Chicago.
What was your previous position?
Most germane to this position, I was the Assistant Director of Safety for the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Tell us about your path to UC Davis.
Winding: consulting, pharmaceuticals, construction companies and the University of Illinois.
What will your position be at UC Davis?
The Director of Strategic Change in Safety Culture and Programs at the College of Engineering starting on November 2, 2020. I will direct all safety culture efforts, risk mitigation strategies and serve as the college’s primary point of contact for all issues related to safety services, environmental health and safety, and risk management. I will also lead safety culture and risk related groups in the college.
What will be your major job functions?
To help support safety culture change throughout the College of Engineering.
What skill is most important in your job?
Practical problem solving.
What are you looking forward to in this role?
The people: faculty, staff, researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students.
What are you looking forward to about UC Davis/being in Davis?
I have lived in the Midwest my entire life and have never experienced winter without snow and below zero temperatures…for months.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
I collect modern first editions of science fiction and fantasy novels.
If you could do any job in the world what would it be?
Cabinet and/or fine furniture maker.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
Woodworking and reading anything with a science fiction or fantasy theme (read the Nevernight Chronicles, they’re amazing!)
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I feel humbled to be selected for this position at the UC Davis College of Engineering.