Industrial Hygiene Health and Safety Lead

Department: Environmental Health and Safety

Expected salary range: $80,000 - $83,000 per year

About the Role

The Industrial Hygiene Health and Safety Lead supervises, interprets, develops, implements, and maintains applicable industrial hygiene and environmental health and safety standards, systems, and processes with a focus on noise, respiratory protection, hazard communication, hazardous waste, asbestos, lead, and indoor air quality exposure assessments and ergonomics. Provides industrial hygiene and EHS guidance, consultation, and training to the Northwestern community. This position supports Northwestern’s Chicago and Evanston campuses and may require working during the day, evening, weekdays, and weekends when necessary.

Please note: Ability to walk in outdoor environments. Ability to work extended and flexible hours during evenings and weekends. Extended periods of walking. Subject to being on call or called back to work.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, develops, and implements industrial hygiene health and safety programs and procedures in the assigned area of specialization, such as respiratory protection, occupational noise, hazard communication, hazardous waste, indoor air quality, and asbestos and lead management.
• Leads and manages projects to support EHS initiatives and programs through the development of safe work practices, project plans, workflows, processes, timelines, and presentations.
• Monitors current and emerging local, state, and federal industrial hygiene health and safety requirements to ensure compliance.
• Integrates regulatory requirements and best practices with results from safety inspections, incident investigations, exposure assessments, and observations into programmatic actions.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and technical and regulatory guidance to subordinates.
• Utilizes a variety of industrial hygiene monitoring, sampling, and analytical equipment and instruments to evaluate chemical and noise exposures; maintains detailed records of sampling activities; develops exposure monitoring plans and implements all required exposure monitoring.
• Advises stakeholders regarding industrial hygiene protocols, procedures, and regulatory compliance; partners with schools and units to correct non-compliance issues, including follow-up corrective actions.
• Develops, administers, and supervises training for various programs, including hazard communication, hazardous waste, hearing conservation, respiratory protection, asbestos, and customized training when necessary.
• Partners with stakeholders to review project plans for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; provides technical and regulatory guidance and interpretation.
• Responds, investigates, and documents incidents and emergencies, and facilitates necessary follow-up and action items.
• Maintains safety and health recordkeeping systems such as safety inspections/observations and injury and illness records.
• Works University special events (e.g., football games, graduation ceremonies, and other events) during weekdays, evenings, and weekends as needed to help ensure compliance with safety requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• 3 years of relevant work experience in the industrial hygiene and safety profession or one of its specialties, including:
  • Maintaining recordkeeping systems
  • Developing and conducting training in various EHS topics
  • Conducting inspections, incident investigations, and audits
  • Recognizing hazards
  • Participating in and leading emergency response
  • Addressing employee environmental health and safety concerns
  • Implementing environmental health and safety programs and measures
  • Preparing technical reports
  • Performing environmental and industrial hygiene surveys, including sampling and monitoring

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of OSHA, ANSI, ACGIH, and other standards applicable to industrial hygiene and environmental health and safety
• Thorough knowledge and demonstration of industrial hygiene principles and practices
• Knowledge of asbestos and lead management programs
• Ability to operate various industrial hygiene monitoring equipment
• Ability to work with people of all ages and diverse constituencies
• Ability to diplomatically explain and interpret environmental health and safety principles
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Strong training and interpersonal skills
• Exhibits a positive attitude; personal integrity and responsibility

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, industrial hygiene, or a related science field from an accredited college or university or an ABET accredited program in industrial hygiene or safety
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist (CAIH), or similar certification or desire to obtain certification
• 5 years or more of relevant work experience in the safety profession or one of its specialties
• ASP, SMP, CSP, or other related certification, or desire to obtain certification

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of ventilation systems
• Knowledge of water intrusion response and remediation strategies
• Ability to perform ergonomic assessments and provide recommendations

Benefits

At Northwestern, the benefits package for this position includes:

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid medical/sick and parental leave
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care
• Generous retirement savings options
• Wellness programs

For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit Northwestern Benefits.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, including:

• Flexible work arrangements where possible
• Programs to help locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care

Visit Work-Life and Wellness to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development through:

• Tools and resources for professional growth
• Opportunities for continuing formal education

Visit Professional Growth & Development to learn more.