Associate Director, Research, Laboratory, Chemical Safety and Biosafety Officer

Job ID: 288706

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Summary

Responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the University's Research Safety, Laboratory Safety, Chemical Safety, Biosafety and Industrial Hygiene team and programs to ensures the safety and well-being of faculty, staff, students, and visitors and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies. Operates as a senior member of a multidisciplinary EHS team, with a particular focus on research and teaching laboratory safety, encompassing chemical, biological, radiation, and laser safety. Requires proactive engagement with the campus community, including direct consultations, technical guidance, training sessions, risk assessments, and incident management to foster a culture of safety and compliance throughout the University. Provides critical emergency response support for laboratory-related incidents.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oversees a team responsible for leading and managing comprehensive safety programs for research, laboratory, biosafety, radiation, and laser safety, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local regulations and University policies
2. Leads and manages the industrial hygiene (IH) programs including, exposure assessment plans to evaluate exposure to noise, gases, vapors, dust, biological, and other workplace health hazards in various university-related activities
3. Partners with academic departments to assess and mitigate risks associated with chemical, biological, and radiological materials, including review and approval of high-risk materials and development of safe work practices
4. Provides expert advice and training to Principal Investigators (PIs), laboratory personnel, and students, promoting best practices in laboratory safety and risk reduction
5. Conducts routine inspections across various research and teaching laboratories, radiation areas, and laser work zones, providing actionable recommendations to address identified risks and improve safety standards
6. Conduct periodic review and audits of the safety programs, to ensure effectiveness of the hazard and risk measures, and regulatory compliance
7. Oversees the management, maintenance and calibration of portable and fixed monitoring equipment and systems, ensuring prompt resolution of any deficiencies
8. Supports University departments and PIs in implementing the Environmental and Occupational Safety Management System (EOSMS), advancing a proactive safety culture
9. Plays a key role in the University's emergency response, organizing and participating in drills, hands-on training, and real-time hazard mitigation exercises
10. Collaborates with PIs and lab supervisors, managers, supervisor, and other subject matter experts to investigate and resolve safety-related incidents, ensuring adherence to emergency protocols and mitigating future risks
11. Conducts investigations into accidents and incidents, identifying root causes to develop prevention strategies
12. Participates in and contributes to the planning and implementation of laboratory-related capital projects, and new equipment purchases to ensure that the environmental health and safety aspects and impacts are identified, evaluated, considered, and addressed
13. Participates in interdepartmental and cross-functional teams to promote and enhance University EHS initiatives and compliance efforts
14. Serves as a technical advisor to compliance committees including, Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Radiological Safety Committee), providing expertise on safety and regulatory questions

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Safety Science, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related fields.

Other Required Qualifications: Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license

Required Experience: Seven (7) years of relevant work experience, with demonstrated progressive management responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications: Relevant certifications e.g., Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH); Certified Safety Professionals (CSP); Certified Health Physicist (CHP); Professional Engineer (PE); Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP), Registered Biological Safety Professional (RBP)

Preferred Educational Qualifications: An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, Safety Science, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, or related field

Preferred Experience: Experience working in a higher education environment; Progressive work experience in laboratory, research, chemical or biological safety

Proposed Salary

The midpoint of the salary range is $96,000. Offers are based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES: Able to build and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with PIs, department heads, staff, students, state agencies, and other stakeholders; Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE: In-depth understanding of relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, industry standards, and emerging trends in laboratory safety, biosafety, and chemical safety; Knowledge of health and safety principles, including hazard recognition, evaluation, and control, to accurately assess risks

SKILLS: Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills; Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, EHS enterprise software); Strong attention to detail and follow up skills; Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette