Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Job Description
Position Summary

The Director will develop and lead the EHS department while ensuring the University is in compliance with all regulations related to environmental, health, and safety standards. The Director will manage operational duties, assign personnel appropriate workloads, training, development of programs, policies and procedures, management/oversight of all EHS programs, and represent EHS compliance interests to current and future industry clients.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 10% employer contribution once eligible. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. This position is eligible for 24 days of vacation, 15 sick days, and 13 holidays plus two floating holidays.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) is a graduate health sciences university committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. RFU is nationally recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, proteomics, cancer cell biology and immunology, cardiac resuscitation, and gait and balance.

As part of our efforts to enhance the depth and breadth of research at RFU and to facilitate the translation of our basic science research to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and identification of biomarkers in order to improve human health, a new Innovation and Research Park (IRP) was constructed, opening in January 2020. The novel design of the IRP enables academic researchers to reside in state-of-the-art laboratory space that is in close proximity to industry researchers on each floor of the 100,000 sq ft building. It also houses our Helix 51 Incubator, Chicago's newest bioscience incubator for startups.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assume direct responsibility for all activities associated with the University EHS office
• Manage and supervise EHS employees to ensure appropriate workloads are achieved and all compliance issues are addressed
• Manage and supervise the duties of the Environmental Health and Safety Department to ensure compliance with controlled substances, hazardous waste, biosafety, chemical safety, air permitting, training and various other EHS programs/policies
• Provide management and oversight for the Universities two radiation licenses.
• Manage and supervise radiation safety compliance with applicable federal, state, and local, regulatory requirements, as well as RFUMS policies, assists the radiation safety officer on technical and regulatory issues, and strategic direction of the radiation safety program.
• Participate and assist the Biosafety and Radiation Committees in addressing the EHS needs of the University
• Represent the University EHS interests to potential and current industry clients that are seeking licensing agreements or are currently licensing space at the University and provide assistance as needed to convey and monitor adherence to all RFUMS EHS compliance policies.
• Manage and supervise recordkeeping required to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Manage and supervise the collection, transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous or regulated materials
• Manage and oversee the EHS training program to ensure training is developed, implemented, and completed by faculty, staff, students, and volunteers as required
• Manage the laboratory inspection and close out program for the research enterprise
• Manage and supervise the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures and guidelines for areas containing regulated materials
• Manage the EHS response to emergency situations that involve hazardous materials
• Create and manage the EHS budget
• Work closely and collaboratively with the Office of the EVR for Research and the other Compliance offices within the research enterprise.
• Other EHS responsibilities as assigned by the EVP for Research

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve a background check clearance
• Must have proof of covid19 vaccination with booster or a university approved exemption

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in environmental health or safety, safety, physical science, engineering, or related field.
• Five or more years of fulltime experience working in a research enterprise or other comparable experience.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with the public, university leadership, governmental authorities, and employees with diverse backgrounds, goals, and agendas.
• Ability to build and lead a team.

Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
• Ability to manage and present both classroom and online training.
• Working knowledge of all federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Management and leadership ability
• Ability to work cooperatively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to manage budget processes and fiscal management principles
• Working knowledge and experience in the administration of the duties of an Environmental Health and Safety Department to ensure compliance with controlled substances, radiation, hazardous waste, biosafety, chemical safety, air permitting, training and various other EHS programs/policies.
• Maintain accurate and concise records
• Develop, implement, and enforce EHS programs, policies, and procedures
• Communicate technical EHS information in an easy-to-understand format

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of full time experience working in a research enterprise or other comparable experience.
• 1 or more years supervising a radiation program at a University, medical college, research facility or other comparable experience.
• Experience in higher education, research laboratories, environmental consulting, or comparable institutional environment

Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, including Disability/Vets