Assistant Director, Laboratory Safety

Responsibilities

• Manages a team of professionals to promote laboratory safety by evaluating, identifying, and mitigating risks and hazards.
• Directs and oversees University programs associated with research and clinical laboratories.
• Provides reports to senior management to determine compliance with local, state, and federal codes/regulations.
• Maintains required records and reports.
• Supervises, trains, and provides guidance to technical staff.
• Led specialized or departmental training sessions needed for all laboratory personnel.
• Responds to emergency situations or off-hour issues as needed.

Requirements

• Directs and oversees the OSHA-mandated Chemical Hygiene Program Standard (Lab Standard), and other University Programs associated with research and clinical laboratories.
• Reviews all written programs and updates as required to comply with new interpretations.
• Supervises the daily activities of the Laboratory Safety Unit staff.
• Provides reporting to senior management to determine compliance with local, state, and federal codes/regulations.
• Provides guidance to laboratory inspectors on actions that can be taken to reduce hazards/risks and provide safer working conditions for lab personnel.
• Aids in the application of Chematix for all chemical inventories, inspections, and hazardous chemical waste modules for the laboratories.
• Utilizes the system to assess for potential health hazards, chemical risk assessments, and fire loading.
• Directs and conducts chemical monitoring for the use of anesthetic gases, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, benzene, xylene, and other substances of concern in laboratories.
• Maintains the records of all reports associated with the assessing and monitoring of chemical hazards within the laboratories.
• Develops, updates, and ensures access to all general laboratory safety training within the learning management system annually, in addition to any specialized or departmental training sessions needed for all laboratory personnel who work in the University’s research and clinical laboratories.
• Prepares or provides training as needed for other miscellaneous topics such as contaminated systems or hazardous waste.
• Aids environmental compliance leadership with the management of the University’s spill response team.
• Supports bi-annual training in responding to radiological, biological, and chemical spills at the University.
• Reviews research protocols for UCAR (University Committee for Animal Resources) for chemical hazards.
• Follows up on incident reports, participates in various University safety committees, and engages in special projects as needed at the direction of environmental health and safety senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field and 10 years of relevant experience required. Master's degree in related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of experience in chemical engineering, industrial hygiene required.
• Knowledge, Skills And Abilities: Familiarity with chemicals and toxins and ability to meet CDC and DOJ requirements as Alternate Responsibility Facility Official with access to select agents required. Ability to pass background check as required in accordance with select agent regulations required. Expert knowledge of laws, regulations, standards and procedures that pertain to chemicals required.
• Licenses and Certifications: Certified Industrial Hygienist by the American Board Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) upon hire required.