Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Specialist

Position Information

Posting Number 00635

Title Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Specialist

Position Number PS05157

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Research and Health Affairs ( VPR ), the Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Specialist ( EHSCS ) is responsible for implementing and recommending occupational safety standards and training on general lab management, and ensuring the University maintains compliance with federal, state and local regulations. Under guidance, the Compliance Specialist will act as a liaison and will represent the VPR and Institutional Official for Research to staff, faculty, senior management, other institutions, and regulatory agencies.

Essential Duties

• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local regulations as they relate to occupational and environmental health and safety programs.
• Maintaining all Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest shipping documents
• Make recommendations and direct implementations of related regulations. Prepare anticipated changes to regulations and make adjustment as needed.
• Maintain and update the various plans & programs, as needed, related to the various safety procedures required for all personnel, including: a) Hazard Communication Program, b) Laboratory Safety Guidelines, c) Chemical Hygiene Plan, d) Laboratory Hazardous Material Security Safety Policy, e) Medical Waste Management Plan, f) Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
• Conduct regular laboratory safety audits/inspections and promptly work with individuals to correct health and safety issues identified. Record finding and corrective action.
• Inspect laboratory safety equipment is certified and ensure proper working order.
• This may include safety showers, eyewash, spill kits, fire extinguishers, first-aid kit, chemical fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, etc.
• Reports any significant problems, any significant research - related accidents or illnesses, or violations of the "NIH Guidelines" to the Principal Investigator, the Research Operation Advisory Committee, and the Vice President for Research and Health Affairs.
• Manages, communicate and maintains appropriate quality control system to inspect, monitor, and manage all chemical and biological hazardous materials, working closely with building manager, project managers, laboratory personnel, and contractors as needed.
• Identifies documents and corrects any unsafe chemical and biological, storage, or disposal. Insure compliance with DTSC , Title 22, CCR on accumulation of generated hazardous waste.
• Insure compliance with the Medical Waste Management Program as a medical waste generator facility.
• Conduct chemical, and biological inspections, risk assessment and inquires, including investigating all lab related chemical and biological material use, storage or disposal complaints.
• Provides necessary chemical, biological and laboratory safety training to students, staff, and faculty members as necessary or as requested.
• Follows established University policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.
• Responds to laboratory and facility emergencies; conducts incident investigations, conducts laboratory assessments, and provides incident reports; develops and implements corrective action measures as needed. Coordinates efforts related to the University emergency notification system. Manages and directs the biomedical waste disposal and maintains the associated record keeping.
• Oversee the submission of reports to inquiries from federal, state, and local agencies. Review programs/policies to ensure compliance with state, federal and local agencies and University requirements. This includes managing the Cal/ EPA ID, submitting annual report to the California Environmental Reporting System ( CERS ), which includes the Consolidated Emergency Response Contingency Plan.
• Maintaining all Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest shipping documents and submitting annually to the Department of Toxic Substances Control ( DTSC ) by the electronic Verification Questionnaire (eVQ).
• Act as liaison for regulatory agency site visits. May include Cal/ OSHA , Los Angeles Fire Department, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
• Direct the development, evaluation, interpretation and implementation of new and amended policies and procedures governing the conduct of research by serving in institutional safety committees such as the Occupational Environmental Health Safety Committee, Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
• Maintain and update the various plans & programs, as needed, related to the various safety procedures required for all personnel, including:
• Animal Facility Emergency Operation Plan ( EOP )
• File and maintain necessary permits for continuous university/research operations. (This may include the LQ Medical Waste Generator permit, Annual Unified Program Facility Permit)
• Inspects damaged and malfunctioned equipment during all chemical and biological safety inspections and audits.
• Manage the Occupational Health Monitoring Program to comply with Cal/OSHA's requirement for individuals working: a) with vivarium responsibilities involving live animals handling, b) with OSHA regulated substance above the permissible exposure limit ( PEL ).
  
  

Required Qualifications

• OSHA 10/30-Hour Certification
• Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative ( CITI Program)
• One to three years of relevant regulatory compliance experience.
• Two or more years of EHS or relevant experience.
• One year of chemical handling
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Work knowledge of environmental regulations ( RCRA , DTSC , Cal/ EPA )
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Physical fitness required to inspect various work settings.
• Knowledge of safety programs focused on chemical and waste hazards.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations for occupational/environmental/biological safety programs.
• Experience in organizing and writing reports and presentations of research in nature
• Ability to write and prepare statistical and narrative reports and professional correspondence.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe)
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Regionally accredited Bachelor's degree in the field of Occupational Health & Safety, Public Health, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Safety, Chemistry, or related field (Preferred)
• Certified Industrial Hygienists ( CIH ) (Preferred)
  
  

Special Requirements

• COVID -19 Vaccination: As a health professions institution of higher education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science seeks to protect the health and safety of the University community. Accordingly, CDU will require COVID -19 vaccinations for all University students, faculty, and staff subject to limited exceptions and exemptions. The University vaccine requirement has been implemented consistent with federal and state law related to medical exemptions for students, faculty, and staff. Requests for disability and religious accommodations from faculty and staff will be evaluated consistent with the law and University policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community and with multiple stakeholders.
  
  

FLSA Exempt

Category

Grade

Number of Vacancies 1

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

Charles R. Drew University is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

Fair Chance Statement

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local "Fair Chance" laws.

Open Date 11/08/2021

Close Date

Open Until Filled (overrides close date if active)

Special Instructions to Applicants