Safety Technician – Environmental Safety and Health

POSITION SUMMARY:

Duquesne University is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented entry-level Safety Technician to join our Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office. The Safety Technician will play a crucial role in promoting and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors on campus. This position involves conducting safety inspections, overseeing safety trainings, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and supporting the development and implementation of various safety programs and activities. This role offers a collective campus environment with diverse safety challenges across academic, research, and student life settings. This position is designed for early-career professionals, and on-the-job training will be provided.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts safety inspections with guidance of senior staff of campus buildings, laboratories, and safety equipment to identify potential hazards and support compliance with safety regulations.
• Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of safety policies, procedures, and programs.
• Responds to safety concerns and advises on compliance with relevant safety regulations in campus projects and operations.
• Assists in developing and delivering safety training and education to campus departments, personnel, and committees; provides safety training on policies, regulations, and procedures, with opportunities to lead sessions as experience grows.
• Assists with and learns to support campus air permitting and emissions reporting, including maintaining the inventory and collection of data for all campus emissions.
• Participates in accident and incident investigations, and near-misses to determine root causes and recommends corrective actions.
• Participates as a member of campus safety committees.
• Maintains and updates safety records, reports, and documentation.
• Oversees fire drills and emergency evacuation exercises to ensure preparedness.
• Assists in the management and disposal of hazardous materials and waste.
• Collaborates with campus departments to ensure safety protocols are followed.
• Remains competent and current on changing legal and regulatory requirements (campus policies, and federal, state and local rules and regulations) through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses.
• Provides input on equipment and resource needs to support budgetary response to safety concerns and recommends purchase of equipment to mitigate life safety and environmental health risks.
• Assists with the oversight of two student employee positions, including day-to-day work and assignments.
• Supports the EHS Office in various safety-related projects and initiatives.
• Provides support to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety with other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Safety, Environmental Safety/Health, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Federal, State, and Local safety regulations and standards (e.g., OSHA, NFPA, EPA, DEP, ACHD).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be detail-oriented and meet deadlines.
• Excellent organizational, project management and problem-solving skills.
• Assists with policy development, interpretation and enforcement for the department.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
• Physical ability to conduct inspections and respond to emergencies, including walking, climbing, and lifting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Alternatively, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.