Environmental Affairs Technician

Overview

This role offers technical support to the Yale Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Environmental Affairs Section (EAS), specifically in managing the University's regulated waste streams. Responsibilities include identifying, handling, transporting, and processing hazardous chemical, biomedical, radioactive, and universal waste. Additionally, this position involves retraining laboratory staff on waste-related compliance and assisting with emergency response operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency and experience with the aforementioned waste streams, a high degree of comfort in handling them, and familiarity with the governing regulations.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to work well with others with demonstrated well-defined communication and customer service skills. Ability to be responsive to conflicting demands, deadlines or emergencies, including spill response. Responsive to conflicting demands, deadlines or emergencies, including spill response.
2. Ability to recognize classes of chemicals and those which can become unstable during extended storage.
3. Demonstrated broad based computer skills to include word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
4. Ability to work independently and to use good judgment. Strong organizational skills, with the ability to multitask while remaining flexible and adaptable.
5. Strong attention to detail. Excellent attendance, punctuality and reliability, as attested by references.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

One year experience segregating and packaging for disposal typical laboratory waste; experience with packaging, transporting and managing hazardous waste.

Preferred License(s) or Certification(s)

24-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification (required after hire); Department of Transportation HM-181 training (required after hire).

Principal Responsibilities

1. Identify and safely handle classes of regulated waste. Collect and transport, via hallways or vehicle, regulated waste from generators to a storage area or treatment location. Follow EHS standard operating procedures and all applicable local, state and federal requirements.
2. Ensure proper packaging and arrange for biomedical waste disposal via a commercial vendor.
3. Interact with faculty, staff and vendor employees regarding the compliant collection and storage of regulated waste. Assists in setting up and maintaining RCRA satellite accumulation areas. Provide oversight of RCRA 90-day storage areas. Provide specialized information and training when necessary.
4. Perform radiation surveys and conducts inspection of EHS-EAS waste storage facilities. Develop awareness of principles regarding the decay and survey of radioactive materials. Survey and dispose decayed waste. Prepare and maintain waste related documentation. Prepare radioactive waste packages and documentation for off-site disposal.
5. Deliver supplies to laboratories and other areas as required.
6. Perform data entry and reporting functions for waste management and related applications and databases. Maintain all regulatory paperwork and reporting.
7. During working hours, participate as a member of the EHS on-call emergency response team.
8. Maintain all required licenses, certifications, and trainings.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Two years of related work experience in the same job family and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education. Knowledge of chemistry, biology and physics to perform necessary tasks and recognize potentially dangerous situations.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Obtain a CT commercial driver’s license with HAZMAT Endorsement in the first 90 days of employment. Maintain CT commercial driver’s license with HAZMAT Endorsement.

Physical Requirements

1. Pass required DOT physical examinations and drug/alcohol screenings to include pre-employment and continuing through your employment at Yale.
2. Ability to pass DOT required background check.
3. Lifts up to 50 lbs and move up to 500 lbs of waste material using rolling carts or drum carts.
4. Pushes large wheeled carts throughout hallways, and in and out of elevators and tight spaces.
5. Lifts and moves supplies from warehouse to customer locations negotiating on and off loading docks, using truck lift gate and cart.
6. Ability to periodically perform short duration physical exertions, including light-medium weight lifting, pushing, stair or ladder climbing, etc., in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, emergency response or environmental sampling.
7. Removes large containers up to 200 pounds each from horizontal chest freezers using lift arm equipment.
8. Ability to wear and use personal protective equipment for hazardous materials handling and spill clean-up including respirators, safety shoes, goggles, gloves, and fully encapsulating protective suit.
9. Ability to carry harness-mounted air tanks and wear and use self-contained breathing apparatus.
10. Ability to work in a variety of physical environments including weather extremes, potential confined spaces, elevated locations, etc.