EHS Specialist/Chemical Hygiene

Job Description

College Safety Programs

• Uses expertise to oversee and implement College of Engineering safety programs in chemical, biological, equipment fire, and other safety areas.
• Uses effective communication skills to serve as a liaison with Environmental Health & Safety, University Compliance Committees, and the University Police Department to maximize effectiveness of campus resources.
• Oversees the management of chemical receiving, inventory software, labeling, storage, and waste processes for the College of Engineering.
• Inputs new chemicals into inventories and assists with deliveries of biological materials in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.
• Manages inspections of all College of Engineering teaching and research labs and workshops to ensure compliance with current regulatory standards in alignment with the SJSU Illness and Injury Prevention Plan and the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Makes recommendations and initiates corrective actions in collaboration with lab directors regarding identified safety hazards or compliance deficiencies.
• Maintains College Safety Program website resources.
• Coordinates the collection, storage, and handling of hazardous waste to meet all federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Purchases safety equipment and supplies as needed.
• Coordinates approvals for student access to labs.
• Performs fume hood and flow rate diagnostics in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.
• Facilitates annual biosafety cabinet and laminar flow hood certifications.

Training

• Serves as the training coordinator who implements mandated training programs for the college.

• Trains lab directors to reconcile chemical and biohazard inventories in collaboration with Central Shops student workers.

• Conducts or arranges documented in-person training for special hazards such as fire extinguisher training or chemical spill response training.

• Assists faculty and staff in developing Standard Operating Procedures for hazardous materials, equipment, and activities and tracks completion.

• Collaborates closely with University Environmental Health & Safety, University Compliance Committees, and University Police to revise training and ensure relevance to the College of Engineering operations.

• Utilizes university safety compliance software to audit safety training records that are collected by College of Engineering departments and independent research labs.

• Coordinates approvals for student access to labs. Building Emergency Coordinator

• Serves as the Building Emergency Coordinator for the Engineering Building and oversees all College of Engineering Building Emergency Teams.

• Leads, coordinates, and trains the Hazardous Emergency Response/Spill Control Teams and the Community Emergency Response Team program for the College.

• Maintains and inspects safety equipment, hazard monitoring equipment, and emergency response equipment.

• Serves as a point of contact for all College of Engineering safety concerns in collaboration with other campus first responders, and is on call 24/7. Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serves as an active member of the College of Engineering Safety Committee to promote a culture of safety and establish and communicate safety protocols, procedures, and practices.

• Serves as a voting member on the Institutional Biosafety Committee and Health Physics Committee as needed.

• Functions as a liaison with university offices, including Environmental Health & Safety and Risk Management, as needed.

• Performs other duties to support college labs as assigned.

Skills and Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to hazardous materials emergency situations, incidents, or accidents.
• Working knowledge of industrial hygiene and occupational safety regulations and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of chemical and biochemical inventorying, labeling, storage, and waste disposal processes.
• Knowledge of chemical hazard assessment, proper chemical storage environments, and segregation strategies is essential, particularly in the laboratory environment.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply a variety of state, federal, and campus policies and procedures.
• Strong written and oral communication skills needed to effectively interact with other team members, faculty and staff, and students.
• Ability to effectively present ideas and training and gain buy-in from stakeholders to adopt and implement requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with employees and external agencies.
• Ability to organize and handle multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated competence in independently applying advanced judgment to resolve difficult and complex problems and issues.
• Working knowledge of computer applications, including the ability to utilize database, spreadsheet, word-processing, project planning, and presentation software.
• Ability to use considerable judgment and discretion in performing duties required to successfully complete work assignments.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].