Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Overview:
POSITION SUMMARY:Under the supervision and direction of the Manager or designee, this Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Specialist I position provides support to the Environmental Health & Safety Department's pre-established safety programs. The EH&S Specialist I will work independently to prioritize multiple projects. These tasks will require the employee to work at multiple locations serviced by the UMass Medical School (UMMS) Environmental Health & Safety Department, including UMass Medical School (UMMS) and UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC). In this position, the incumbent may interact with all levels of management and diverse employee and student populations and cultures to accomplish identified goals and objectives and is expected to maintain a respectful and professional demeanor and to resolve any unplanned opportunities that arise. The incumbent may be assigned to a specific discipline within Environmental Health & Safety but will also be expected to perform duties from the other disciplines. They must have the ability to self-learn with some education and/or applied knowledge and experience with health and safety regulations, federal and state regulations in the selected disciplines within Env. Health & Safety, such as; EPA, DOT, OSHA (General Industry & Construction), DHS, NIH, CDC, NIOSH, MADOLS, MADPH, MADEP, TJC, NRC, NFPA, FEMA, MEMA, DEA. Discipline in Radiation Safety: Demonstrated knowledge or experience of health physics and radiation protection/safety including physics, mathematics or chemistry, and obtain FBI clearance for unescorted irradiator access.

Responsibilities:
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Conduct Compliance Inspections, Assessments, Investigations, Audits or SurveysConduct inspections and audits of labs, patient care and general areas, construction areasAssists with risk assessments and incident investigations Perform evaluations and surveillance surveys Support the creation and preparation of checklists for compliance inspectionsAssist in identifying potential risksConduct inventory of safety supplies and par levelsApprove chemical purchases in purchasing softwareBegin to operationally manage portions of as established program(s)Collect Samples, Monitoring Badges or Hazardous WasteCollect airborne, surface and personal exposure samples using monitoring equipment or badgesCollect and handle ionizing, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes from designated collection areasAssist with proper segregation and labeling of waste or samples.Transport hazardous waste to main storage roomsAssist with preparing hazardous waste for disposalRespond to Urgent/Emergent CallAssist with, and/or independently respond to, urgent/emergent calls, questions or requests of lower acuity incidentsParticipate on the EH&S Emergency Response Team (will require wearing full face respirator)Triage the issue, report back to supervisor, provide suggested response/follow-up to supervisor, and apply appropriate follow-upParticipate in the EH&S nights, weekends, holiday and off-hours on-call programInteract with Regulatory Auditors, Inspectors and SurveyorsAssist with data collection and investigation of regulatory concernAssist with conducting spot audits prior to or during surveyor's arrivalTest, Maintain, or Perform Inspection of Safety EquipmentTest, calibrate and maintain safety equipment based on schedulePerform testing of chemical fume hoods, emergency showers, eyewashes, biosafety cabinets, or arrange for a vendor to do the testingPerform respiratory fit testing Data Entry, Report Writing, or Perform Literature SearchesFile and maintain records and documentation (i.e. training records, waste manifests, SDS, safety, equipment, certifications, inspection reports)Enter data or information into EH&S software applications, databases or filingsMaintain inventories (i.e., chemical, SDS, wastes, biologicals, isotopes)Write draft incident review reports, incident action plans, and after-action reportsCreate hazard warning or informational signage, postings, posters, pamphlets or bookletsPerform searches of regulations and literature for compliance guidanceSatisfactorily manage and report status of assignments, tasks, responsibilities, and multiple elements of complex programs.Draft or update programmatic standard operating proceduresReview data and provide solutions to supervisorProvide TrainingTrain hospital and/or school staff or students on forms of respirator protection during fit testing Assist with providing vendor or contractor safety trainingAssist with providing responses to questions regarding EH&S' on-line training applications or providing access codesProvide basic program or compliance guidance in the fieldConduct Hospital orientationAssist with onboarding EH&S new hiresPerform Drills and ExercisesAssist with conducting drills (i.e., fire drills, building evacuation drills, code pink drills)Assist with conducting exercises (i.e., table tops or simulated scenarios)Other DutiesThe employee will also be required to perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: EducationBachelor's Level Degree, or equivalent experience, in: Safety, Environmental Science/Engineering, Natural Sciences, Fire Safety, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Radiation Sciences, Health Physics, Physics, Biotechnology, Microbiology or a related degree dependent upon discipline applying for.ExperienceZero to two years of working experience in Safety, Environmental Science/Engineering, Natural Sciences, Fire Safety, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Radiation Sciences, Health Physics, Physics, Biotechnology, Microbiology or a related field dependent upon discipline applying for.Basic knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to selected disciplines within Env. Health & Safety, such as; EPA, DOT, OSHA, TJC, NIH, CDC, NIOSH, MADPH, MADEP, MADPH, NRC, NFPA, FEMA, MEMACertificationsAbility to become certified as OSHA 40-hour Hazwoper Emergency Responder and wear a full-face respirator within 6 months of employmentAbility to become certified by DOT for manifest signing within 6 months of employmentPersonal SkillsSome skill with Microsoft Office software and database applicationsAbility to adapt to and learn various computer-based systems and programsGood oral and written communication skillsAbility to satisfactorily manage and report status of assignments, tasks, responsibilities, and multiple elements of complex programs.Driver's LicenseMust have a valid driver's license and a vehicle or the ability to travel to off-site locations and respond to matters of urgency

Additional Information:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Internship in Safety, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Fire Safety, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Radiation Sciences, or Health Physics depending upon the selected discipline within Env. Health & Safety applied for. SUPERVISION RECEIVED:Under the supervision of the Environmental Health & Safety Manager or designee._____________________________________________________________________________________________ SUPERVISION EXERCISED:Individual Contributor - No direct reports ­­­­ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:Job functions will require this position to work in patient care areas (inpatient units, surgical suites, ICU's, ambulatory clinics, etc.), laboratories (clinical, research anatomy) and animal quarters.May work in conditions where there is construction, chemicals, ionizing radiation, Power Plant, health care, laboratories, warehouse, pathology, animals, outdoors, and on roofs. Conditions may require wearing personal protective equipment such as air-purifying respirators as well as safety goggles, gloves, and protective equipment, and utilizing monitoring equipment or spill containment and clean up supplies for chemicals and biologicals. Visual, auditory and physical abilities must allow for visual and auditory observations, considerable walking, and crouching, bending, and, lifting including, lifting to 50 pounds with using assistive devices.Usual office environment­­­_____________________________________________________________________________________________________­­As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMMS recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. #LI-BK1