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Friday, November 2, 2018

Job posting Environmental Health and Safety Specialist






Job Opening 327412 - Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
(description is attached)

Apply through the UMN Human Resources webpage:  https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
(Research/Workplace Safety Professional)
Environmental and Occupational Health Division
Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS)
University of Minnesota

Description of Position:

The incumbent, under the supervision of the Safety Manager in the Departmental of Environmental Health and Safety, will work in collaboration with the Chemical Hygiene Officer, the Radiation Protection Officer, the Biosafety Officer, and other DEHS staff to provide training, consultation, and support to university departments in the areas of occupational safety, hazardous waste management, and environmental health.  The incumbent may work in Research, Agricultural, or General Workplace settings. The incumbent will also work closely with departmental safety resources such as Associate Deans, Department Managers and Supervisors, Departmental Safety Officers (DSOs), principal investigators, student groups, and other stakeholders across the University to help the institution achieve its overall goals of worker protection, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection.
 
Responsibilities:

60%     Serve as a primary point of contact and provide consultation and technical support to research and operations groups, colleges, and local safety committees in the area of risk assessment, job hazard assessments, and other technical issues related to research safety. Activities will include facilitating risk assessments, inspecting labs and work areas, making recommendations to improve safety, ensuring hazard analyses of critical activities are conducted, reviewing and making recommendations on safe operating procedures, and recommending work activities that may need to be shut down or curtailed because of imminent danger or non-response to safety recommendations.  Make referrals and facilitate client access to technical specialists in the areas of biological and radiation safety, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, disabilities services, and risk management.

25%     Coordinate and lead efforts at the college/department level to review, update, develop, and deliver cutting edge research safety training based on regulations, university policy, and current best practices. Work with collegiate resources and other DEHS staff to promote and monitor compliance with requirements for required safety training.  

10%     Perform other duties related to safety and/or environmental health as assigned including, but not limited to: recommending exposure monitoring of staff who work with hazardous materials, assisting departments to prepare reports on safety progress on metrics.   Also, participation in the emergency response program.

5%       Assist work area supervisors with investigation and follow-up of accidents and near miss incidents.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in safety, industrial hygiene, or related scientific discipline plus over five years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal nine years

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters degree in safety, industrial hygiene or a related scientific discipline Working knowledge of research safety principles and practices including, but not limited to, knowledge of the OSHA general industry and laboratory safety standards, and general chemical hazards and methods to prevent exposure.
Experience  interpreting laws, rules, regulations, and/or university policies, procedures, and standards
Proficiency in use of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs
  
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge and understanding of safety aspects of research activities at the University of Minnesota ranging from electrical, lasers, machine guarding, material handling and working with chemicals.
Knowledge and understanding of mechanical and industrial safety, risk assessment procedures, hazard analysis, and laboratory accident prevention.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to convey information about laboratory and workplace safety risks.
Ability to present information in group settings while considering multiple perspectives and competing interests.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and a record of establishing effective working relationships.
Demonstrated understanding of the nature and purpose of health and safety functions within a higher education institution.
Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and good customer service.
Ability to work with exposure monitoring equipment.
Ability to negotiate and resolve complex work related problems
Ability to pass a pre-employment criminal background check

Working Conditions:

Work environment includes office, and research laboratories across the entire University of Minnesota System.  Routine exposures to hazardous materials or harsh physical conditions are not expected.  This position will be part of a rotating, on-call, emergency response program that may be activated during regular hours or after hours, weekends, and holidays.  The incumbent will be officed on the twin cities campus, but occasional travel to system campus locations will be required.

Classification #:8374 P4        
Salary Range:  60k – 75k
Status:            
Last Revision: 10/30/2018