About University at Albany

Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of more than 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses. Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

Job Description

The University at Albany is seeking to fill the position of Occupational Safety Specialist in the Office of Environmental Health & Safety. The Office of Environmental Health & Safety resides in Facilities Management. The occupational health and safety program's objectives include improving the safety of the work environment through recognition, evaluation, and control of hazardous conditions; reducing the numbers and severity of injuries to students, faculty, and staff through training and implementation of safe work processes. The Occupational Safety Specialist is responsible for complying with regulatory requirements of all applicable OSHA and PESH standards. This includes developing University policies for new regulations and updating current policies. This individual will report to the Director of Environmental Health & Safety.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing and delivering training programs for compliance with OSHA and PESH standards and all record-keeping associated with these standards. Oversight of University programs such as Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Entry, Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment, Ladder Safety, Hazard Communication, Forklift Safety, Hearing Conservation, Aerial Work Platform, Excavation Safety, etc., as required by national and state standards will be a prime responsibility of this position.
• Responsible for performing workplace inspections, assisting in hazard analyses for various University tasks and projects, and reporting findings and recommendations. The Occupational Safety Specialist is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to regulatory agency complaints and inspections pertaining to occupational safety (e.g., routine, unannounced PESH inspections).
• Responsible for the maintenance of specialized safety equipment, such as portable gas meters, a sound level meter, electrical insulating gloves, and fall protection equipment. This individual will work with Physical Plant to ensure aerial work platforms, ladders, and other pieces of equipment are being regularly inspected, maintained in good working condition, and staff are trained in their safe use.
• Responsible for selecting, stocking, and inventorying personal protective equipment (PPE), supplying the appropriate PPE to University employees where indicated, and providing training to university employees on PPE.
• Responsible for coordinating respirator and asbestos medical evaluations, fit tests, audiograms, and voluntary hepatitis B vaccinations, along with maintaining accompanying records. Coordination of asbestos, lead, and mold certifications for university employees.
• The Occupational Safety Specialist will review employee accident and injury reports for safety concerns and make prevention recommendations, if necessary. This individual will also compile a yearly accident trend analysis for presentation to the Director of EH&S. The Occupational Safety Specialist must be able to identify safety hazards in the field and ensure their remediation.
• Provides operational unit support for team members within EH&S and the reasonable duties as assigned.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to Director Environmental Health & Safety.
• May supervise employees as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Familiarity with OSHA and PESH regulations, NYS labor laws, and other relevant federal and state safety codes.
• Understanding of how to identify, evaluate, and mitigate workplace hazards.
• Knowledge of safety practices related to construction sites, maintenance operations, and facility management.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to design and deliver informative and engaging training sessions, as well as comfort speaking in front of a large audience.
• Strong technology skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physical Science, Occupational Safety or Engineering, or related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• 3 years of relevant experience.
• 2 years of demonstrated training experience.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Relevant experience in higher education setting.
• Experience working with the NY State agencies, including, SUNY, DASNY, PESH, etc.
• Certification by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (e.g., Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Instruction Trainer (CIT).

Working Environment

Office environment and field review, often at heights and in confined spaces.

Additional Information

Professional Rank and Salary Grade: Environmental Health Officer, SL-4, $70,000-75,000. Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.