Laboratory Safety Coordinator, Environmental Health & Safety

Job Description

In this dynamic role that reports to the Director, you will use your knowledge of laws, regulations, and sound practices to resolve issues related to laboratory safety. The particular focus is on hazard control hierarchy for chemical, physical, biological, radiological, ergonomic, or otherwise hazardous factors; selection, training, and maintenance of PPE; and hazardous waste. The position reviews, evaluates, and analyzes laboratory environments and designs programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury. It also oversees implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive Laboratory Safety program in support of University teaching and research laboratories; conducts inspections and incident investigations; and requires a broad scope of safety to identify and protect against general issues such as electrical, physical, and fire hazards. This position is authorized to Stop Work when in the position's professional judgment conditions present an imminent danger. This position demands someone with technical knowledge, who can plan and work independently, with skills in conflict resolution and public speaking.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Responsible for management of lab safety/compliance programs in a liaison role with the chemical hygiene officers across campus, which may include, but is not necessarily limited to teaching and/or research lab safety; machine shops; laboratory ventilation; safety aspects of experimental design; minors in laboratories; particularly hazardous substances; and role similar to as a radiation safety officer

• Programming will include development of written programs, procedures, or guidelines; conducting periodic audits/inspection; communication and training; and keeping comprehensive and accurate records

• Reviews research grant proposals, material transfer agreements, or protocols submitted through other safety/compliance committees (e.g. IACUC, IRB, IBC)

• Makes recommendations for approval and coordinates with faculty to develop Standard Operating Procedures to address significant hazards noted during reviews

• Develops and tracks metrics based on your job functions

• Prepares periodic reports, forms, surveys, or other tools that reiterate the goals and accomplishments of assigned programs

• Utilizes various media forms to communicate safe work practices/hazards mitigation

• Research products, technologies, tools and resources, services, procedures, etc. and prepares laboratory advisory memos for product recalls/safety hazards

• Performs laboratory commissioning and decommissioning oversight, coordination, and approvals

Inspections/Incident Investigations

• Actively monitors laboratory safety/compliance of research, diagnostic and teaching laboratories, research-related workshops, and other spaces through annual program audits (inspections)

• Documents and communicates findings and tracks corrective actions to resolution/closure in a timely fashion

• Coordinates inspection schedule assignments with research investigators, lab management staff, departmental safety coordinators, or academic department heads

• Keeps managers informed on sensitive laboratory safety issues

• Performs assessments on safety complaints/concerns, non-compliances, and laboratory incidents; provides recommended corrective actions and lessons learned

• For incidents, assess exposure routes, degree of potential exposure, and occupational medicine follow-up

• Prepares reports to be reviewed by the Director for reporting to university senior leadership- incident assessment documentation may affect conclusions reached by Workers' Compensation claims and outcome of other investigative activities

Training, Development, & Delivery

• Designs, develops, and delivers chemical safety, general lab safety, and other types of safety training for UTC faculty, staff, students, and visitors; this includes updating annual refresher training based on the prior year's laboratory audit findings and establishing other innovative methods for delivering refresher training

• Develops computerized training programs and training materials and feedback methods

• Provides lab safety principles and perspectives to committees such as: Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Research Board (IRB), etc.

• Prepares reports of training compliance per regulatory and institutional requirements

• Classroom or other in-person training approaches may be required

Technical Assistance

• Research applicable international, federal, state, and local regulations, standards, guidelines and UT policies and programs requirements in order to build proficiency and formulate recommendations

• Provides programmatic and technical review of high hazard chemical registrations and follow-up consultation

• Provides guidance and assistance relative to regulatory and consensus standards requirements (OSHA, NFPA, IFC)

• Serves on and advises committees on applicable lab safety policies, regulations and guidelines

• Anticipates and recognizes lab safety needs, creates safety solutions, and provides consultation to support 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

• Provides EHS technical liaison to UTCPD, CFD, and/or Incident Commander during emergency events involving hazardous materials; responds on scene for university emergency events as requested

• Coordinates updating the chemical inventory with campus departments

• Schedules waste disposals, communicating with disposal contractors and campus generators

• Writes technical, informative, or operational reports and papers that may include recommendations and/or corrective actions

Other EHS/Lab Safety Support Services

• Provides 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

• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration

• Cross-trains other EHS staff in laboratory safety basics

• Provides 24/7 coverage as the EHS on-call when assigned

• Supervises other EHS staff when assigned

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, applicable regulations, guidance documents, and institutional policies, particularly those associated with (T)OSHA, ANSI, ASTM, ASHRAE, EPA, and applicable building codes

• Knowledge of chemical, biological, environmental, and occupational health and safety principles and practices

• Knowledge of key concepts of hazards associated with scientific methods including current research techniques

• Knowledge of standard laboratory equipment and engineering controls, as well as their proper use

• Ability to work within research laboratories and vivaria

• Technical skills related to computer operation, Microsoft applications, database use, training development, audit management and data analysis to generate thoughtful and insightful well-formatted reports

• Ability to self-manage in contentious situations with a variety of personality types. Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work independently and follow through on work assignments with minimal direction

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain information, explain procedures and situations, and persuade others to address compliance-related deficiencies

• Ability to provide technical training/guidance to individuals or groups in written and/or verbal formats

• Ability to complete or documented completion of Incident Command System (ICS)-100.Knowledge of OSHA Laboratory Safety Standard, EPA/RCRA regulations, and fire codes from NFPA, ICC/IFC

• Ability to survey laboratory and mechanical spaces for chemical safety issues

• Ability to wear a respirator

• Experienced level of skills working in a high-chemical use setting

• Knowledge beyond basic chemistry, particularly with respect to hazards to people

• Skill in speaking and gaining rapport with persons of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds

• Knowledge of organizational details of research universities

• Ability to apply concepts of industrial hygiene, occupational safety, risk management, and emergency response

• Knowledge of or ability to learn data and learning management systems, e.g. SafetyStratus, SafetyCulture, Canvas

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment to include a respirator

Review of applications will begin on January 22, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: Typically requires bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, industrial hygiene, or other science field, and four years of relevant experience, creating and delivering laboratory safety (e.g. chemical hygiene, biosafety), laboratory risk management, chemical/waste shipping, and regulatory compliance training programs for various audiences, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A valid driver's license is required.

Preferred qualifications: A master's degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, industrial hygiene, or other science related field; five years or greater experience in a college/university setting; experience supervising, working, or overseeing safety program implementation within a research and/or teaching lab; BSL-2 or BSL-3 lab; engineering, radiological or applied science lab; experience in scientific/technical instruction are preferred.

About Us

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee's largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs-at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga-nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation-are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.