Laboratory Safety Program Manager

About the role

The Laboratory Safety Program Manager serves as the University’s Chemical Hygiene Officer and works with instructional, research, and other laboratory and shops personnel as well as facilities personnel to implement and oversee laboratory safety programs to promote compliance and safe operations. This is a regular Academic Staff position classified as Environmental Health & Safety Specialist III within the Division of Finance and Administrative Affairs, Facilities, Planning and Management. The division delivers essential business services that provide a foundation for UWM’s student success, research excellence, community engagement, climate and culture, and visibility and image. The department’s mission is to provide a safe, sustainable, and accessible physical environment that supports learning, research, working, living, and recreation.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Chemical Hygiene Officer (25%) – Assists departments with development and updating of Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHPs) and departmental health and safety plans; develops and revises templates for CHPs and standard operating procedures (SOPs); trains group members to develop their own SOPs for hazardous operations; audits effectiveness of safety plans and SOPs and provides constructive feedback to improve safety programs.
• Department Level Safety Program Assistance (25%) – Assists departments/groups to establish and maintain safety committees, conduct safety self-audits, and develop department/group level training programs; attends safety committee meetings and participates in self-audits frequently when establishing new committees and as needed thereafter.
• Training (15%) – Develops, designs, and presents laboratory and shop safety training programs using several modes for faculty, staff, students, T.A.s, and other lab-related personnel, covering recognition and control of chemical hazards, physical hazards (non-ionizing radiation, magnetic fields), and other hazardous operations.
• Hazard Assessment (15%) – Provides written hazard assessments and recommends controls for UWM laboratories, shops, and non-traditional student and research “labs”; evaluates effectiveness of controls including fume hood testing and exposure monitoring; reviews and approves department, unit, or group level SOPs.
• Compliance Activities (10%) – Independently interprets federal, state, and local rules and regulations; creates and implements written programs, procedures, or policies for UWM compliance; collects and organizes data, prepares reports, and provides documentation for internal and external auditors or inspectors.
• Incident Response and Investigation (5%) – Provides assistance during chemical emergencies and advice/assistance in cleaning chemical spills; investigates incidents and “near misses” and documents investigations; evaluates corrective actions and recommends additional methods to prevent recurrence.
• General (5%) – Provides excellent customer service and serves as a model representative for UWM and the division; collaborates with internal and external laboratory and facility safety professionals; tracks and maintains measurable program metrics; performs other duties as assigned.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Provides expert knowledge and guidance to internal and external stakeholders including leadership in specialized safety areas such as biosafety, chemical, hazardous materials, agriculture, lake, radiation, and OSHA.
• Accurately documents violations and regulation changes and effectively communicates findings to appropriate authorities.
• Reviews industry updates and directs development of safety communications and associated staff.
• Manages logistics of a safety program and is responsible for its implementation and operational success.
• Leads day-to-day activities of a health and safety work unit.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, environmental health and safety (EHS), or industrial hygiene discipline or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years of research (chemical, biological, radiological) safety experience.
• Experience providing education and training for laboratory staff in chemical or research safety, proper laboratory practices, or techniques for safe handling of research materials (chemical, biological, radiological) and equipment.
• Detailed knowledge of federal and state health and safety regulations and codes relating to laboratories.
• Experience in conducting inspections or investigations.
• Experience with report writing or prescribing hazard mitigation techniques and controls.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin Driver license (or other valid operator’s permit recognized by the Wisconsin DOT) and meet or exceed minimum requirements for driving on state business.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, or other science-related degree, environmental health and safety, industrial hygiene, or a related field.
• Four (4) or more years of chemical or research safety experience.
• Experience as a Chemical Hygiene Officer.
• Experience working in a university or higher education setting.
• Experience as a Biological Safety Officer or Laser Safety Officer.
• Possess Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification.
• Possess 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training.
• Experience creating/updating websites.

Pay

The starting salary for this role will be between $65,000 - $78,000 per year; the final salary offer will be contingent upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated throughout the selection process.

Additional notes: The selected candidate must complete a Vehicle Use Agreement application for driver record review against University Driver Authorization Standards. This position does not offer visa sponsorship; applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at time of hire. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and verification of eligibility to work in the U.S. (I-9).