Laboratory Safety Consultant

About the role

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Virginia is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Laboratory Safety Consultant. This position supports departmental efforts to promote the safe and compliant conduct of research, education and support services across the UVA community. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Research Safety, the Laboratory Safety Consultant is a key member of the Chemical and Laboratory Safety team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine laboratory inspections and consultations to evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements, university policies, and best practices related to chemical safety, laboratory safety, hazardous waste management, and fire code
• Provide guidance to faculty and laboratory personnel on laboratory relocation and decommissioning procedures, including hazard identification, and hazardous material handling, transport and/or disposal
• Advise laboratory personnel on chemical inventory management and compliance requirements; review inventory data to assess program effectiveness, identify deficiencies and/or gaps, and recommend actions
• Investigate laboratory incidents and develop recommendations for improvement and corrective actions to prevent future incidents and injuries
• Assist in development, maintenance and review of laboratory and chemical safety training programs, resources and website content
• Occasional travel, including overnight stays to inspect off-site research facilities, is required
• Support other Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) programs and University initiatives including laser hazard assessments, noise monitoring, air quality incident response, emergency support activities and other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree; or Associates with four years’ work experience or High School diploma with six years’ work experience
• Licensure: Must have a valid driver’s license with zero or positive points balance and at least two years of driving experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Relevant work experience in a laboratory, the health sciences, industry or other technical field
• Experience with hazardous materials
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite applications
• Work experience at an institution of higher education

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position involves active and sedentary tasks. Active tasks during fieldwork include frequent standing, bending, crouching, reaching, occasional ladder climbing and walking for extended periods as a part of inspections and consultations. PPE is required dependent upon task and environment. Work is conducted in a variety of settings, including offices, research laboratories, makerspaces, patient care areas, animal research facilities, outdoor locations, and other environments where hazardous materials, loud noise, non‑ionizing energy fields, and potentially harmful equipment may be present. Responsibilities may involve potential exposure to laboratory chemicals, radioactive materials, bloodborne pathogens, and other biological hazards. The role requires physical activity, including prolonged walking, standing and movement throughout diverse campus environments.

Pay

Compensation is up to $28.84 per hour ($60,000 annually), commensurate with the selected candidate’s education and experience.

Schedule

This is a Non-Exempt level, benefited position based in Charlottesville, VA, and must be performed fully on-site.