Chemical Safety Specialist II

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The role of the Environment, Health and Safety ( EHS) department is primarily environment, health and safety functions at the University. In support of the University's core mission, EHS will provide comprehensive environmental, health and safety services to the University community. This includes education through training and consultation, maintaining a safe environment through recognizing and controlling health and safety hazards, ensuring a process of regulatory compliance and minimizing future potential liabilities. By developing EHS programs and performing various periodic inspections we can provide a safe work place, ensure a process of compliance and minimize future potential liabilities. EHS is organized into eight (8) sections: Biological Safety, Environmental Affairs, Fire Safety & Emergency Response, Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, Chemical Safety, Radiation Safety, Workplace Safety and Business & Support.

The Chemical Safety Specialist II provides technical support, analysis and consultative services in chemical safety as follows: plans, coordinates, and facilitates laboratory closeouts with respect to coordinating with principal investigator and lab on proper cleanout and disposal of equipment and wastes. This position will also manages the DEA Controlled Substances Program for research personnel. This position will be a member of the Collaborative Laboratory Inspection Program ( CLIP by performing safety inspections in order to maintain compliance at all UNC facilities on campus and off-campus with regard to federal ( OSHA, ANSI, EPA and NFPA), state ( NCOSHA, NCDENR) and university regulations and standards. The individual in this position must have knowledge in research and workplace safety with an emphasis on chemical and hazardous drug safety. The individual in this position must be able to train/consult with campus staff, faculty, researchers and students on corrective actions, regulations and requirements of regulatory agencies. The primary goal of the position is to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the faculty, staff, students and visitors at all UNC facilities.

The employee in this position is a member of the EHS Emergency Response/HazMat Team. This responsibility involves assessment of incidents involving physical agents, radiation sources, hazardous chemicals, biological and infectious agents. This requires on-call responsibilities throughout the standard eight-hour workday (8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Formal First Responder Training and medical surveillance is required by the OSHA Hazwoper standard. Industrial hygiene and radiological instruments are used for detection and cleanup of spills depending on the nature of the incident. Investigation, interaction and consultation with university staff, faculty and students is required to appropriately assess an incident, proceed with facility recovery and further preventive action.

Four year degree with a preference for a related major in a physical science, biological science, environmental science/engineering, occupational safety, industrial technology or closely related science; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Some positions may require specific certifications or licenses. Specific jobs will require additional minimum training and/or licensing upon selection.

Knowledge - Ability to administer University, local, State, and Federal guidelines. Ability to stay current on emerging industry trends and incorporate changes/updates to campus programs. Ability to assess new trends/issues (sustainability), researches impact on a University, and/or develops policies. Ability to address issues that are moderate in scope in compliance with University, local, State and Federal laws and regulations. Ability to provide technical support, analysis, and consultative services to identify or rectify EHS programmatic area(s) that are moderate in scope (i.e. construction safety plans). Ability to apply working knowledge and understanding of EHS principles, practices, and equipment to determine if proper methods and procedures are utilized and to assure compliance with Federal, State, local, and Industrial regulations. Ability to modify and/or design equipment and tools.

Program Monitoring and Administration - Ability to conduct and document moderately complex inspections/investigations (i.e. construction sites); assist in corrective action strategies; assess, determine, plan and implement corrective action for standard to non-standard situations. Ability to evaluate incident, make appropriate decisions regarding the need for facility evacuations and additional resource needs, initiate necessary actions to control the situation until help arrives. Ability to direct and maintain EHS program(s) of moderate scope (may include supervision, variety of settings, technical intricacies in testing and assessment). Develops and maintains a database for tracking of EHS data; monitors trends and evaluates existing data; provide annual reports to regulatory agencies; oversee collection of field data. Conduct EHS assessments to determine impact and program effectiveness. Reviews building design and/or workplace process/procedures for a moderately complex facility for EHS concerns.

Training and Education - Ability to design and develop training programs; coordinate and train others on EHS measures and guidelines to meet the level of the audience. Ability to design and develop educational materials of moderate complexity or for a specialized area.

Safety and Health Compliance - Ability to apply working knowledge of local, State and Federal regulations to determine compliance within program area(s); oversees compliance with EHS measures and guidelines. Ability to review permits/projects for design and implementation of work; establish procedures for operational compliance and track performance of permit holders. Ability to train others to perform self-audits and review self-audits completed by others. Ability to ensure proper certifications are obtained and maintained. Ability to consult with industry professionals to stay current of trends and issues

Communication - Ability to Interpret inspection results and recommendations effectively to higher level administrators; implements inspection recommendations. Ability to interpret rules and regulations based on campus inquiries.

1-3 years experience in the Environment, Health & Safety profession. Experience in research laboratory environment a plus. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate using written, oral and multimedia modalities.

Preferred candidate with demonstrate high degree of accuracy and attention to detail and understand consequence of error. Candidate will also show high level of visual attention and mental concentration.

Must be able to frequently walk, bend, stand and climb ladders. Ability to enter laboratory animal research areas required. Ability to wear self-contained breathing apparatus ( SCBA) is required. An annual physical exam is required as participation in the HAZMAT team.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.