"Associate Chemical Hygiene Officer (On-site)"

About the Job

This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and measuring workplace safety in research and teaching laboratories to demonstrate compliance with the UCM Laboratory Safety Plan and Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations and provide a safe workplace within UCM laboratories. This scope of work (SOW) includes support for laboratory industrial and chemical hygiene, laser safety, controlled substances, radiation safety, employee ergonomic safety, and laboratory employee training.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops, implement, and monitors the campus Chemical Hygiene Plan and support UC Merced's safety culture. Implement strategies and systems to promote and facilitate laboratory compliance with regulatory and campus policy requirements.
• Performs technical work related to the field(s) of expertise, including but not limited to conducting lab safety compliance inspections of laboratories/facilities to ensure compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures; prepares inspection finding reports. Follow up with status and completion of lab preventive and corrective actions, escalate languishing preventive and corrective lab safety findings, and create and adjust methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environments. Develop, implement, and maintain a lab safety coordinator program.
• Assists the Chemical Hygiene Officer with, or serves as a proxy to the Chemical Hygiene Officer on, complex and technical program development to meet regulatory compliance. Represent EH&S on campus and system-wide working groups.
• Conducts periodic reviews of existing EH&S lab safety compliance programs to design new and/or recommend improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Participates in EH&S strategic planning and contributes to EH&S initiatives as appropriate.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Chemical Hygiene Officer.
• Review and conducts laboratory incidents and accident investigations and report them. Investigates and writes summary reports of findings for near-miss incidents and accident investigations.
• Recommends corrective action as needed.
• Serves as an emergency response resource for regular and off-hour emergencies as required.
• Informs and advises Incident Commanders of chemical hazards in particular laboratories and proper response to emergency calls and spills when chemical hazards exist.
• Inspects investigates incidents and complaints and recommends corrective action as needed.
• Interact and be a resource to faculty, Safety Officers, Lab Managers, and others in the Campus Community, providing technical information to assure safe conduct of research involving chemical hazards.
• Designs and develops training material, informational flyers, and manuals covering chemical and laboratory safety topics. Assists with developing enhanced resources for the EH&S website.
• Performs outreach and communication to laboratories within the relevant fields through training on various chemical safety and hygiene programs, including accident/incident preventative strategies, compressed gas safety, controlled substances safety, general lab workplace safety, hazmat spill response (DOT Awareness) training, laser safety training, nanomaterials safety training, and radiation safety training.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field. (Required)
• Advanced degree in Chemistry or related field.. (Preferred)
• Three years of directly related progressively responsible experience. (Required)
• Seven years of equivalent experience/training in lieu of degree. (Required)
• Professional certification. (Preferred)

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge/understanding of specific EH&S field(s), including related laws and regulations, and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields.
• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
• Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skills to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage the successful completion of projects within time and budget constraints.
• Strong skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.

Hiring Range

The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $81,300/yr - $90,000/yr.

Job Closing Date

This posting will remain open until filled with initial applicant review expected to be on or around October 27, 2025.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: This position is fully on-site.

How to Apply

An online application is required for each position to apply. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.