EH&S Specialist I - Chemical, Environmental Management & Lab Safety (CELS), University of Massachusetts Medical School, MA, US

Overview

POSITION SUMMARY:

For this position, the incumbent’s primary assignment will be with the EH&S Chemical, Environmental Management & Laboratory Safety (CELS) Team. The incumbent must have a basic knowledge or experience of laboratory safety, hazardous materials, chemical waste, chemical safety, chemical management and inventories, environmental compliance, wastewater management, storm water management, environmental contingency planning, spill preventions. Programs under the Chemical, Environmental and Lab Safety Team include hazardous materials and waste management program, including handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and waste, working with hazardous wastes, conducting daily/weekly chemical waste pick-ups, apprising lab staff of proper disposal procedures, conducting Satellite Accumulation Area inspections, bulking waste into drums, segregating incompatible waste, neutralizing chemicals as necessary, ensuring proper container labeling, marking, handling and shipping, oversee lab packing and removal operations, recycling wastes, promoting waste reduction, waste minimization and toxic use reduction, and assessing and disposing old or expired chemical containers including controlled substances, performing decontamination of laboratory equipment and benchtop surfaces and properly transporting chemical containers for relocation during lab closeouts.

The EH&S Specialist will work independently and as part of a team to prioritize multiple projects. These tasks will require the employee to work at multiple locations serviced by the UMass Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) EH&S Department, including UMass Chan and UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC).

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with inspections, evaluations, surveillance surveys and audits of labs, patient care areas and construction areas.

• Assist with risk assessments, incident, and injury investigations
• Support the creation and preparation of checklists for compliance inspections
• Conduct inventory of safety supplies and par levels
• Assist with approving chemical purchases in purchasing software
• Collect and handle hazardous and non-hazardous chemical wastes from designated collection areas
• Assist with proper segregation and labeling of chemical waste
• Transport hazardous waste to main storage rooms
• Assist with preparing hazardous waste for disposal
• Assist with response to urgent/emergent calls, questions or requests of lower acuity incidents
• Participate on the EH&S Emergency Response Team (will require wearing full face respirator)
• Assist with triaging issues & concerns, report back to supervisor, provide suggested response/follow-up to supervisor, and apply appropriate follow-up
• Assist with data collection, research, and investigation of regulatory concern
• Perform testing of chemical fume hoods, emergency showers and eyewashes
• File and maintain records and documentation (i.e. training records, waste manifests, SDS, safety, equipment, certifications, inspection reports)
• Enter data or information into EH&S software applications, databases or filings
• Conduct respiratory fit testing
• Assist with conducting EH&S training
• Participate in the EH&S nights, weekends, holiday and off-hours on-call program
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s Level Degree, or equivalent, in: safety, environmental science, natural sciences, chemistry, environmental health and safety, or related field

Experience

• Zero to two years of working experience in safety, environmental science, natural sciences, chemistry, environmental health and safety, or related field

Certifications

• Ability to become certified as OSHA 40-hour Hazwoper Emergency Responder and wear a full-face respirator
• Ability to become certified by DOT for manifest signing

Driver’s License

• Must have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle or the ability to travel to off-site locations and respond to matters of urgency

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Internship in safety, environmental science, natural sciences, chemistry, environmental health and safety, or related field