Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

Office of Public Safety & Administrative Services

Who we are:

The University of New Haven, founded on the Yale campus in 1920, is a private, coeducational university situated on the coast of southern New England. It’s a diverse and vibrant community of more than 8,800 students with campuses around the country and around the world. Within its five colleges, students immerse themselves in a transformative, career-focused education across the liberal arts and sciences, fine arts, business, engineering, public safety and public service. More than 100 academic programs are offered, all grounded in a long-standing commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, project-based learning.

The Environmental, Health, & Safety Specialist provides support to faculty, students, and staff to help facilitate, assess, and promote a safe and healthy working environment in laboratories and research support spaces.

The primary responsibilities of this position is to promote and support a strong safety culture in University laboratories. This position will provide professional knowledge and expertise in the operation and development of laboratory safety programs and initiatives, and guide laboratories in complying with regulatory agency requirements and University policies and recommended best management practices.

In addition, will assist in development, planning and execution of environmental, health and safety training for faculty, staff, and students, including visitors, vendors, and construction workers when applicable. This position investigates the cause of any related accidents, incidents or near misses occurring on all University properties identifying root causes and recommended corrective actions.

You Will:

• Develop, implement and manage laboratory related safety programs to meet University and regulatory requirements and address safety related needs in academic and research laboratories, including chemical safety, biological safety, and radiation safety.
• Perform operations, and activities to support of EH&S laboratory safety programs. Maintain related data, metrics and records, and create related reports and correspondence. Perform tasks and activities in support of the Environmental, Health & Safety Program including: haz-waste management, laboratory surveys and inspections, incident response, training preparation, record-keeping, etc.
• Collaborate with laboratory faculty, staff and students to evaluate laboratory processes, identify safety and compliance needs and gaps, and implement safety programs and initiatives to address identified needs. Participate, coordinate and maintain records for laboratory and research related safety committees.
• Develop and provide training to laboratory personnel on laboratory safety related topics. Collaborate with faculty and lab personnel to tailor the trainings to better meet the needs of the department. Use training and web-design software to create professional training documents and web pages. Develop and provide technical guidance and other authoritative information materials to laboratory personnel to promote and enhance safety, compliance and proper hazardous materials management. Develop documents, correspondence, and other communication methods to advance and promote safety and compliance in the laboratories.
• Develop standard operating procedure (SOP) templates and guide laboratory staff and researchers in the development of lab specific SOPs for standard lab operations and experimental procedures. Review protocols for laboratory operations and research involving regulated or specific hazardous components including operations involving biological, radioactive and highly toxic or reactive materials and determine and communicate safety and compliance obligations and recommendation to faculty and laboratory personnel. Recommend and evaluate personal protective equipment, and administrative and engineering controls to reduce exposures and improve safety.
• Perform laboratory assessments to assist laboratory faculty, staff and students in improving safety and compliance, communicate results, and assist with identifying related improvements and corrective actions. Respond to laboratory safety related incidents, inquiries, requests and concerns. Periodically meet with researchers and laboratory staff to discuss safety concerns and challenges and provide support, guidance and expertise to help address their concerns and challenges.
• Collaborate with laboratory personnel to perform hazard analyses to identify and assess laboratory hazards and recommend methods to mitigate safety hazards and risk in laboratories.
• Participate in chemical, biological, radiological and environmental incident investigations and spill response actions, including, on-call 24 hour emergency response or notification.

You Have:

• Master's degree (preferred) or Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health & Safety, chemistry, biology, chemical engineering or related sciences.
• RCRA, DOT, OSHA 40 hour training certifications required. CHMM certification preferred.
• Current HAZWOPPER certification preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in academic or research laboratory environment.
• Experience working with a university based population preferred.
• Must have valid driver’s license and any pass pre-employment checks required by Human Resources such as criminal background check and drug and alcohol test.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office application suite and applicable applications.
• Strong data management skills.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with a diverse campus population.
• Public speaking and group presentation experience desired.
• Experience working and applying principles and accepted practices of laboratory safety at a university or similar setting.
• Knowledge of chemical, biological and radiological handling, storage and safety procedures.
• Experience with the selection and use of industrial hygiene, chemical and radiation monitoring equipment for the effective evaluation of associated laboratory hazards.
• Familiarity with the selection and appropriate use of personal protective equipment for managing personal safety.
• Ability to interpret, implement and comply with federal, state and local regulations and interact with agencies.
• Skilled in developing clear and concise technical reports and training materials.
• Excellent written, verbal and analytical skills and strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in support of all areas of the Public Safety Department.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Must be medically fit and able to wear respiratory protection.

What’s In It for You:

• Health & Welfare Programs: Employees and their eligible family members, including spouses and dependent are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Programs.
• Wellness & Fitness: On-campus Recreation and Fitness Center for employees and families; Employee Assistant Program
• Commitment to Educational Excellence: Tuition assistance for employees and eligible dependents; Tuition exchange opportunities
• Employee Discounts on products, services and educational opportunities
• Work/Life Benefits: Generous paid time off programs; progressive paid holiday schedule (including holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s); 4 weeks of parental paid leave; flexible work schedules including summer hours where applicable