Full-Time

Lab Safety Specialist

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Brandeis University

Brandeis University

Mid

Waltham, MA, USA

Requires significant on-campus presence (at least 4 days/week) at Brandeis - Waltham campus.

Category
Lab & Research
Environmental Sciences
Interdisciplinary Research
Life Sciences
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field (chemistry, biology, engineering, industrial hygiene, or other science field) required; master’s degree preferred. Or, an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
  • 3-5 years relevant experience required.
  • Knowledge of federal and local laws and regulations, guidance documents, and institutional policies, particularly those associated with (T)OSHA, ANSI, ASTM, ASHRAE, EPA, and applicable building codes, along with familiarity with federal regulations concerning the oversight requirements of biological materials, controlled substances, chemical, environmental, and occupational health and safety principles and practices, key concepts of hazards associated with scientific methods including current research techniques, and knowledge of standard laboratory equipment and engineering controls, as well as their proper use.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Google Suite Programs: Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Forms, etc.; Internet Functions; Adobe Professional; FileMaker Pro.
  • Project management experience with ability to manage projects to tight deadlines, within budget with minimal oversight.
  • Ability to manage ambiguity and be able to juggle and prioritize multiple time-sensitive demands in a rapidly changing organization and environment.
  • A collaborative and inclusive professional style, ability to build strategic relationships with staff, faculty and students at all levels, excellent organizational and communication skills (written, verbal, listening), ability to make strategic connections, and the utmost respect for discretion, confidentiality and professionalism.
  • A proven track record of achieving organizational efficiencies, removing administrative obstacles and delivering improved customer service in order to best serve the research community.
  • Excellent ability to communicate complex concepts to a lay audience, effectively train and develop staff to a high level of competency, and develop and present training materials for broad audiences.
  • Strong data management and analytical skills with an ability to prepare and present complex information effectively.
  • Experience and expertise in a university research setting.
  • Ability and inclination to anticipate future opportunities and consequences.
  • Resonance with the mission and goals of the Office’s priorities.
  • Some exposure to university senior management, often providing recommendations and analysis to senior leaders; provides support to faculty, students, and staff of all levels.
Responsibilities
  • Works with campus stakeholders including the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), the Laboratory Safety Committee, and other school, division, and department contacts to evaluate, implement, review annually, and make updates, as needed, to the Chemical Hygiene Plan and Laboratory Safety Manual. Coordinates updating the chemical inventory with EHS and other campus departments. Serves as an ex officio member on the Laboratory Safety Committee and may serve in an advisory capacity on other regulatory compliance committees (i.e. IBC, IRB, IBC, Laser/Radiation Safety, etc.). Maintains the Laboratory Safety database and all records associated with the operations of the Laboratory Safety Program.
  • Under the leadership of the Assistant Director, performs laboratory commissioning and decommissioning, oversight, coordination, and approvals. Actively monitors laboratory safety/compliance of research, teaching laboratories, research-related workshops, and other lab spaces through periodic inspections. Coordinates programmatic initiatives and inspections with the LabSCI team, lab personnel, and department heads to ensure that all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices are being followed and adhered to in all laboratory spaces on campus. Documents and communicates findings and tracks corrective actions to resolution/closure in a timely fashion. Coordinates the testing and maintenance of fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and emergency safety showers and eyewashes in all laboratories.
  • Provides technical expertise to the laboratory community in the area of laboratory safety and health, and serves as a point of contact to direct inquiries to other appropriate resources. Serves as a resource to review academic research protocols and standard operating procedures developed by Principal Investigators and department personnel for the use, disposal, spill cleanup, and decontamination of hazardous chemicals, and the proper selection and use of personal protective equipment. Ensures that guidelines are in place and appropriately communicated for particularly hazardous substances regarding proper labeling, handling, use, and storage, selection of proper personal protective equipment, and facilitating the development of standard operating procedures for laboratories using these substances. Anticipates and recognizes lab safety needs, creates safety solutions, and provides consultation to support the research community in a way that keeps pace with the dynamic research activities. Assists researchers with risk assessments and development, review, and approval of job hazard analyses. Onboards new Principle Investigators.
  • Conducts laboratory safety training sessions for laboratory personnel, classes, and assists laboratory supervisors in developing and conducting hands-on training sessions with personnel. Supports other training initiatives throughout the university, including the Responsible Conduct of Research, IACUC, IBC, IRB, and other trainings. Works with the LabSCI team to design, develop, and deliver chemical safety, general lab safety, and other types of safety training for faculty, staff, students, and visitors, including annual refresher training, online training materials, and the development of innovative methodology for training and learning. Provides lab safety principles and perspectives to committees such as: Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Review Board (IRB), Radiation Safety Committee, Laser Safety Committee, Public Health Committee, etc. Tracks all training and prepares reports of training compliance per regulatory and institutional requirements.
  • Under the leadership of the Assistant Director and in conjunction with EHS and Occupational Health, reviews reports and conducts investigations for laboratory incidents, accidents, chemical spills, and near misses and recommends follow up actions where appropriate. Performs assessments of safety complaints/concerns, non-compliances, and laboratory incidents; provides recommended corrective actions and lessons learned. Prepares reports to be reviewed by the Assistant Director for reporting to university senior leadership, as incident assessment documentation may affect conclusions reached by Workers' Compensation claims and outcome of other investigative activities. For incidents, assesses exposure routes, degrees of potential exposure, and coordinates occupational health follow-up.
  • Stays informed of plans for renovations or new laboratory construction projects and serves as a resource in providing code citations and internal standards to assist with the design and construction process. Keeps the senior administration informed on the progress of continued implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and Laboratory Safety Manual and brings campus-wide issues affecting laboratory safety to their attention. Keeps managers informed on sensitive laboratory safety issues.
  • Reviews research grant proposals, material transfer agreements, or protocols submitted through other safety/compliance committees (e.g. IACUC, IRB, IBC) to provide institutional guidance on safety requirements at the proposal stage, as well as advise on potential new areas of research.
  • Provides administrative support to the other functions of the LabSCI team (i.e. IACUC, IBC, Controlled Substances, etc.) and provides backup to the Radiation Safety Officer/Laser Safety Officer, as required.
  • Participates in general administrative support of office tasks with customer service attitude (e.g. general email, answering phone calls, committee meeting support).
  • Drafts updates to all program materials including development/changes of forms, applications and instructions, the websites, training materials, and other administrative tools supporting the work of the office and the investigators.
  • Works closely with the Environmental Health & Safety Office to support Laboratory Safety, and may provide shipping assistance to researchers who need to ship hazardous materials/dangerous goods as regulated by the Department of Transportation and the International Air and Transportation Association.
  • Assists in the oversight of student workers.

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