"Environmental Health & Safety Specialist"

Job Details

Overview of Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist directs the development, implementation and maintenance of the more than 70 campus Environmental Health and Safety programs, including chemical, biological and laboratory safety, hazardous materials management, radiation and laser safety, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, injury prevention, and storm water pollution prevention. This position works with significant independence under the general direction of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Planning, Infrastructure and Facilities.

This position does have the opportunity for a flexible work schedule but does require a strong on-campus presence.

Budgeted salary range: $58,000 - $60,000

Schedule: Monday - Friday

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Duties and Responsibilities Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

• Each Environmental Safety and Health program must be implemented in full compliance with applicable regulations and requires the following REM duties: writing program; review of campus job descriptions to determine applicability of each program; training/retraining of impacted employees, auditing of departments to ensure continued compliance; track program requirements for regulatory inspection; act as a resource for campus community; submit regulatory reports, as required.
• Oversees ongoing safety training programs for employees who, as part of their regular duties, risk being exposed to hazardous materials or conditions.
• Serves as the lead Radiological & Environmental Management (REM) professional at PNW, providing environmental health, industrial hygiene, radiation safety, and general safety consultation and services to the campus community.
• Serves as liaison with federal, state and local regulatory agencies and authorities in matters related to Environmental Health & Safety and ensures compliance with OSHA, EPA, DHS, DOE, NRC, DEA, DOL, DOT, CDC, USDA, NFPA, RCRA, CERCLA, FDA, ANSI, fire and building codes and other governmental standards and regulations, as well as with applicable Purdue University policies; management of regulatory reporting requirements.
• Interacts regularly with administrators, faculty, staff, and students, as well as with leaders in the greater Hammond/Westville and surrounding areas to make PNW and the surrounding communities safe and environmentally friendly.
• Develops, mentors and guides departmental safety committees and ensures participation of applicable departments in Purdue’s Integrated Safety Plan and the process of certifying departmental safety plans.
• Reviews proposed research and construction/renovation projects to determine the impact on management programs and provides recommendations and guidance for best practices and regulatory compliance.
• Perform Industrial Hygiene sampling, Risk Assessments, building/facility inspections, employee interviews. Requires expert knowledge in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety regulations, policies and procedures as well as expert knowledge of the most current Industrial Hygiene equipment and procedures.
• Performs Risk Assessments for campus departments and makes recommendations for control measures and safety procedures and equipment.
• Leads the University’s Radiological & Environmental Management office which includes the supervision of part-time staff members. Provides functional direction and technical expertise to Radiological & Environmental Management staff, as well as to departmental and campus safety committees.
• Serves as liaison to Radiological & Environmental Management at Purdue - West Lafayette, and as Emergency Coordinator for any hazardous material spills, including chemical, biological, and radiological agents.
• Management of hazardous materials and waste and university recycling programs.
• Coordinates with the University’s third-party environmental health and safety consultants and service providers. Inspect, test, maintain, and oversee all Purdue University Northwest fire alarm and fire suppression systems to ensure continuous compliance with applicable federal, state, and local codes and standards, including but not limited to the International Fire Code (IFC), Indiana Fire Code, NFPA 13, NFPA 25, NFPA 72, and requirements of the State Fire Marshal and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
• Manage and coordinate the contracted alarm monitoring and service provider responsible for 24/7 monitoring of all life safety alarm systems, ensuring proper response protocols, testing schedules, reporting, and corrective actions are executed in accordance with code and University standards.

Benefits of Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

• Full benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Retirement, Life Insurance and more
• Accrue 15 days’ vacation your first year, then 22 days’ vacation your 2nd year plus rollover
• University contribution of 10% to retirement (3 year waiting period)
• University contributions to Health Savings Account –
• Plus a chance to earn more through participating in University Wellness Initiatives
• 10 paid holidays
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Paid Parental Leave after one year of service
• Tuition remission for you, your spouse and dependent children at any Purdue campus

For more information on our excellent benefit package, please visit: https://www.pnw.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Education Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial Hygiene, Environmental or Occupational Health, Safety Engineering, Hazardous Materials Management, Biology, Chemistry, or closely related field required.

Experience Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

• Five years of environmental health and safety experience
• Two years of Specialist experience.
• Experience with the administration of applicable programs including developing, implementing and providing technical direction on all University environmental health and safety programs and compliance-related policies and procedures, and development and implementation of all employee environmental health and safety training.
• Experience with regulatory agency audits and serve as liaison to Federal, State, and Local government auditors and regulatory agency contacts.

Core Competencies Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

• Knowledge of sampling methods and technologies and ability to operate various types of Industrial Hygiene sampling equipment, including, but not limited to air sampling pumps and pump calibrators, air velocity meters, aerosol and particulate monitors, VOC monitors, confined space monitors, Geiger meters, liquid scintillation counters, radiation dosimetry, indoor air quality monitors, noise monitors/dosimetry, respirator fit testing equipment, temperature/humidity/moisture meters, vibration meters.
• Knowledgeable in the collection, segregation and preparation of hazardous materials for shipment (including chemical, biological, and radiological hazards); laboratory audits and building inspections; job analyses and hazard assessments; and various types of personal protective equipment and its appropriate use.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions and implement recommendations in support of governmental regulations and university policies. Must introduce and interpret to University departments various Federal, State, and Local regulations, and procedures governing activities within their area of work.
• Ability to prioritize duties and have very effective time-management skills; work both independently and in groups, possess exceptional interpersonal skills; handle confidential records and adhere to applicable confidentiality laws and policies.
• Must be able to respond 24/7 to campus emergencies such as hazardous materials spills.
• Demonstrated specialist/supervisory skills including, but not limited to, sound leadership, evaluation, performance management program reviews, knowledge of University and departmental policies, procedures and practices.
• Possess exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrate professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and flexibility. Ability to maintain a professional working relationship with students, faculty, staff, trustees, consultants, visitors and neighbors; and possess the ability to work well with diverse personalities. Ability to balance multiple tasks and have strong communication and writing skills.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, staff, administrators, students, trustees, public agencies and the general public.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations governing environmental health and safety procedures and policies, and skill in interpreting and applying these laws and regulations.
• Skill in developing safety policies and procedures, and in developing and conducting environmental health and safety training classes for staff, faculty and students. Knowledge of hazardous materials management practices and techniques, chemical compatibility and hazard classifications, and possess skill and knowledge in hazard and exposure identification. Knowledge in applicable Industrial Hygiene sampling methods and technologies with the ability to operate and calibrate various types of Industrial Hygiene sampling equipment.
• Skill in investigating and analyzing accidents and their causes and developing and implementing safety programs and/or preventative measures to ensure future safety for the campus community.
• Must possess exceptional training and presentation skills, techniques, applications and practices.
• Must have excellent computer skills and be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point, as well as knowledge of other Microsoft programs. Must have physical capability to wear respirator and pass fit testing and be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must be capable of working in confined spaces, on ladders, and in extreme temperatures.

Additional Information

Professional references will be verified prior to any offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon completion of successful background check along with a motor vehicle records check if applicable.

Purdue University Northwest is an equal opportunity/equal access university.

FLSA Status
Exempt