Health & Safety Specialist
: Job Details :

* Job Type: Officer of Administration

* Regular/Temporary: Regular

* Hours Per Week: 35

* Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri

* Building: Geffen Building

* Salary Range: $62,400 - $70,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Columbia University Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to join our team of safety professionals as a Health & Safety Specialist, providing services to Columbia's world-class research community. The ideal candidate will be self-driven, an adaptable team player, knowledgeable in basic health, safety, and environmental regulations, a strong written and verbal communicator, and a capable problem solver.

The research environment at Columbia University is dynamic and fast-paced, and the EH&S team is an exciting place to work. There are truly new and evolving challenges each day, providing unlimited opportunities to learn and grow as a safety professional. Our team offers the ability to participate in programming ranging from technical industrial hygiene assessments to Level-C hazardous materials response, and from job hazard analysis to special projects in hazardous materials and occupational safety, all while enjoying the outstanding benefits provided to a University Officer. If you are seeking a workplace that will stretch your ability to think, learn, and make decisions, we are interested in hearing from you. Please see the following description for insight into this exciting opportunity.

The Health & Safety Specialist reports to the Director and/or a senior member of the Occupational Safety team and, alongside a team of health and safety professionals, is responsible for the timely delivery of safety-related services and consultation to the University community across the Morningside, Irving Medical Center, Manhattanville, Lamont, and Nevis campuses, as well as University affiliates. The Health & Safety Specialist will maintain a client-focused approach and be accountable for assessing research safety procedures and practices, aimed at reducing workplace hazard potential and developing creative, sustainable, and compliant solutions that meet the operational needs of research personnel and are consistent with regulatory requirements, University standards, and best practices. The Health & Safety Specialist will develop collaborative relationships with laboratory, facilities, and administrative staff, and work with EH&S colleagues to ensure the effective implementation of safety programs addressing various hazards.

SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.

Responsibilities

The Health and Safety Specialist(s) will assist in the development, implementation, execution, and monitoring of the following programs and program elements:

* Department industrial hygiene and monitoring equipment, including inspection, testing/maintenance, and training related to handheld real-time detectors, as well as field-deployed portable and fixed gas detection systems.

* Administration of the University's Respiratory Protection Program, including performing annual respirator fit-testing for EH&S staff, as well as various departments throughout the University.

* Occupational Safety review of University workplace accident reports, performing field-based investigations, and collaborating with EH&S subject matter experts for follow-up, as needed.

* Surveys for laboratory safety, hazardous materials, and hazardous waste management, and research protocol compliance throughout the University's research enterprise.

* University-wide chemical fume hood certification, including performing annual and ad hoc certifications, conducting performance tests in accordance with established schedules and protocols, as well as upon request, following maintenance or repair, and entering certification data into EH&S's database and generating periodic certification status reports.

* Chemical/non-chemical (e.g., noise, light, heat, electromagnetic field) hazard assessments of laboratory/non-laboratory activities using industrial hygiene equipment under the guidance of EH&S Exposure Assessment Strategy.

* Gathering and analysis of monitoring/sampling results.

* Field-based activities related to indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessments (e.g., odor, mold, chemical, etc.) typically in response to immediate concerns, and performing monitoring/sampling of appropriate media (air, water, etc.), as indicated.

* Emergency response operations in laboratories and administrative buildings, (hazardous materials, indoor air quality, water intrusion, and mold assessments) both during and outside standard business hours.

* EH&S Incident Response Workgroup and subsidiary workgroups.

* Research Safety Team approval of research protocols submitted through the University's Rascal protocol approval program (e.g., Appendix E - Hazardous Chemicals or Toxins used in research).

* Maintenance of records/files (electronic and hard copy) and reporting on program performance metrics.

The Health and Safety Specialist(s) will be responsible for the following, in collaboration with EH&S and other University partners:

* Identification of potential workplace hazards, and assisting in the development, implementation and monitoring of University health and safety programs, and responding to issues in a timely fashion.

* Development/implementation of program components including the delivery of training on various topics, such as Right-to-Know/Hazard Communication, and/or specific chemical hazards, such as nitrous oxide, formaldehyde, and other OSHA-regulated substances.

* Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

* A Bachelor's degree is required (a scientific discipline such as Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or Industrial Hygiene is preferred). An appropriate combination of education and experience, including internships that meet Columbia University criteria, may be considered.

* A minimum of one or more years of experience, preferably in an environmental health and safety field or laboratory research environment, is required.

* Ability to work independently, prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and exercise good judgment in managing time.

* Penchant for working collaboratively as a member of a team to facilitate effective operational integration within EH&S and Columbia University.

* Establish and maintain professional, service-oriented, cooperative, and effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, unions, customers, the public, and colleagues through effective and positive communication.

* Capability to learn and operate industrial hygiene/environmental equipment and use advanced database, spreadsheet, presentation design software, and word processing editing features.

* Proficiency in understanding, interpreting, and conveying measurements, data, standards, and hazardous materials information.

* Ability to stand, walk, and negotiate occasional awkward work locations and paths of travel.

* Capacity to work in a variety of physical environments, including weather/temperature extremes, elevated locations, etc.

* Capability to periodically perform short-duration physical exertions, including light-medium weightlifting, pushing/pulling, stair or ladder climbing, etc., in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, decommissioning, or emergency response.

* Ability to wear a full-face pressure demand respirator and respond to emergencies requiring the use of this equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

* An appropriate combination of education and experience, including internships, meeting Columbia University criteria

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.