NRRI Coleraine Lab Research Safety Specialist

About The Job

The Research Safety Specialist serves as the primary Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) resource for the NRRI Coleraine campus and provides safety support for research, laboratory, pilot-scale, field, maintenance, and operational activities. Working under the direction of the QEHST Director, this position independently develops, implements, and maintains safety programs, hazard control strategies, training, contractor safety processes, emergency preparedness activities, and compliance initiatives supporting research and operational objectives. The position is expected to exercise professional judgment, identify opportunities for improvement, develop practical solutions, and independently drive projects, corrective actions, and safety initiatives through completion. The successful candidate will be a proactive, team-oriented professional who collaborates effectively with researchers, supervisors, and support staff while also taking initiative, learning new topics, building strong working relationships, and owning assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm (in-person).

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship and does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Duties

1.0 Safety Program Implementation (50%)

• Serve as the primary safety resource for the Coleraine campus.
• Assist in the development of Hazard Control Plans, Lab Specific Safety Plans, Job Hazard Analyses, and related safety documentation.
• Perform personal and area air monitoring, noise monitoring, and other industrial hygiene sampling activities as required.
• Support the development and implementation of engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls based on exposure assessment results.
• Prepare exposure assessment reports and communicate findings and recommendations to employees, supervisors, and project teams.
• Work collaboratively with researchers, supervisors, project teams, and contractors to identify hazards, develop practical solutions, and implement effective risk controls.
• Conduct inspections, audits, assessments, and safety reviews.
• Serve as an active member on the Coleraine Safety Committee.
• Lead corrective actions and follow-up activities through completion.
• Develop, review, and update safety procedures and guidance documents.
• Support research safety evaluations, mineral safety reviews, and pilot-scale operations.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC) reviews and support risk assessments associated with facility, equipment, and process modifications.
• Assist with incident investigations, determine root causes, and support the development and implementation of corrective actions.
• Assist with the collection, analysis, and reporting of safety performance metrics and leading indicators.

2.0 Contractor Safety and Operational Support (20%)

• Assist with contractor safety requirements and support contractor onboarding activities in coordination with the responsible departments.
• Support the review of scopes of work and participate in permit and work-planning processes, providing safety input as needed.
• Coordinate with project teams, TechOps, Facilities Management, and contractors to promote safe execution of work.
• Assist in monitoring contractor activities and communicate unsafe conditions to the responsible project or operational leaders.
• Exercise stop-work authority when imminent hazards or unsafe conditions are observed.

3.0 Emergency Preparedness, Compliance, and Chemical Management (10%)

• Coordinate and support emergency planning, drills, and response readiness.
• Inspect, maintain, and coordinate readiness of emergency response equipment, including trauma bags and spill kits.
• Manage hazardous waste and chemical compliance activities.
• Maintain chemical inventories, manifests, inspections, and related records.
• Coordinate hazardous waste shipments and storage requirements.
• Participate in regulatory inspections and compliance initiatives.

4.0 Training, Communication, and Employee Engagement (20%)

• Develop and deliver safety training to employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Support onboarding and safety orientation activities.
• Facilitate safety meetings, toolbox talks, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Participate in safety committees and support continuous improvement activities.

Physical/Environmental Demands

Frequent work in laboratory, pilot-scale, and industrial areas. Requires walking, standing, climbing stairs, and occasional lifting of materials or equipment. Frequent use of personal protective equipment and occasional exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, hazardous materials, and varying weather conditions. Use of a respirator may be required in certain areas. Occasional travel between NRRI locations and field sites.

Qualifications

Required

• BA/BS plus at least two years of experience in safety, environmental health and safety, research, manufacturing, construction, engineering, project management, or a related field; or a combination of education and experience totaling six years.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and proactively identify and solve problems.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to follow projects and assignments through to completion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications, including document creation, spreadsheets, presentations, and data management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to develop safety plans, procedures, reports, training materials, and technical documentation.

Preferred

• Experience supporting research, laboratory, manufacturing, construction, engineering, operations, maintenance, or industrial environments.
• Experience with environmental health and safety, quality, operations, project management, or continuous improvement programs.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead projects, coordinate corrective actions, and drive initiatives to completion.
• Experience conducting inspections, investigations, auditing, data analysis, or process improvement activities.
• Experience interpreting procedures, regulations, or technical requirements and applying them in practical work settings.
• Experience developing and delivering training or facilitating meetings.

About The Department

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment. NRRI's mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship. With industrial-scale facilities in Duluth and Coleraine, MN, NRRI works across five strategic research platforms. These platforms address Minnesota's soil, forest, water and mineral resources: Applied Ecology and Resource Management, Minerals and Metallurgy, Materials and Bioeconomy, Data Collection and Delivery, and Commercialization Services.

Pay And Benefits

Pay Range: $67,142.40 - $80,065.44 per year, depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.