Coordinator, Environmental Health and Safety

The Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator provides support in the development the university's industrial hygiene, environmental health and safety programs related to science laboratories and fine arts studios. Develops and conducts laboratory safety inspections/assessments, incident investigations, and training to staff and faculty and conducts EHS research as needed.

• Conducts laboratory assessments of instructional laboratories, research laboratories, and laboratory prep areas
• Prepares and provides timely peer-reviewed reports, assists in and monitors corrective actions, as necessary
• Collaborates with Principal Investigators and laboratory personnel on assessment findings and provides appropriate recommendations based on regulatory compliance and best practice guidance
• Promotes the prevention of injuries or illnesses from chemical, biological, and physical hazards in the instructional laboratories, research laboratories, and laboratory prep areas
• Coordinates, reviews, develops, prepares, and revises new and existing programs relating to laboratory environmental health and safety matters
• Investigates accidents, incidents, exposures, and near-misses involving students, faculty, and staff; collaborates with principal investigators and other personnel as necessary; provides suitable corrective actions to avoid future related events based on regulatory compliance and best practice guidance
• Reviews project hazard assessments over faculty lead natural science laboratory research, and provides corrective actions to improve environmental health and safety protocols
• Manages chemical and compressed gas inventories University-wide
• Manages the collection and categorization of the initial disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous waste for university laboratories; determines proper method of accumulation and disposal based on hazard classes and compatibility of chemicals
• Develops and presents educational or training sessions to faculty and staff regarding hazardous materials and waste management handling techniques
• Responds to hazardous waste releases on campus using appropriate clean-up and safety method protocols
• Conducts indoor air quality assessments and occupational exposure assessments to include chemical and biological agents
• Develops industrial hygiene sampling methods and utilizes various industrial hygiene instrumentation and equipment. Manages industrial hygiene equipment and calibration certifications
• Manages chemical fume hood and biological safety cabinet repairs, and annual certifications
• Attends professional development courses/trainings and conferences

• Performs other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Safety Management, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of four (4) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• Must maintain a valid, current driver's license

• None

Knowledge:

• Knowledge and familiarity with IH analytical methods, IH sampling instrumentation, and IH equipment software interface, as well as the principles and practices of the rules, standards, and guidelines pertaining to environmental health and safety issues in a higher education setting, and of the related trends, issues, and accepted practices

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills;
• Good technical skills, including proficiency in MS Office

Abilities:

• Experience in chemical/biological instructional and research laboratories and in handling hazardous and non
  • hazardous chemical waste for collection, disposal and/or recycling

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment (6 - 8 hours) and science laboratories (2 - 4 hours)

Physical Demands:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has occasional exposure to physical risks
• Work involves occasional exposure to elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, airborne particles, smoke, oils, and unpleasant odors. May, on rare occasions, be required to work in a confined space or in a high, dangerous place
• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts, vibration, or the risk of an electric shock.
• May, on rare occasions, be exposed to potentially hazardous or cancer-causing agents or chemicals, and occasionally be exposed to potentially hazardous bodily fluids
• Must have precise hand-eye coordination, good spatial awareness, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Must have the ability to move items of up to 75 lbs.
• May be required to drive or operate university vehicles

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Equipment Operation

• Demonstrates the essential skills required to use equipment and tools needed to perform job duties and responsibilities.
• Follows maintenance and operation procedures and safety rules to minimize equipment malfunctions and prevent personal injuries.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.