Assistant Director, Laboratory Safety

University of Rochester; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rochester seeks an experienced Environmental Health & Safety leader to manage the Laboratory Safety Unit and drive safety programs across research and clinical laboratories in Rochester, NY. You will oversee compliance reporting, staff training, and emergency response coordination.

Responsibilities include directing the OSHA-mandated Lab Standard, chemical monitoring, training development, and collaboration with environmental compliance leadership to ensure safe laboratory

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field with 10 years of relevant experience.
• Master’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of experience in chemical engineering and industrial hygiene.
• Experience in management and regulatory compliance with chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees the Laboratory Safety Unit and reports to senior management on compliance with codes and regulations.
• Reviews and updates the Chemical Hygiene Program Standard and related lab safety programs.
• Oversees chemical inventories, inspections, and hazardous waste modules using the Chematix system.
• Directs chemical monitoring for anesthetics, formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and other hazards.
• Develops and maintains general lab safety training and annual refresher sessions.
• Supports spill response planning and bi-annual training for radiological, biological, and chemical spills.
• Reviews UCAR research protocols for chemical hazards and participates in safety committees.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Laboratory safety

Program management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field

Five years of experience in chemical engineering/industrial hygiene

Master’s degree preferred

Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Job Location (Full Address):

685 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14620

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100124 Environmental Health & Safety

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 115

Compensation Range:

$97,400.00 - $146,000.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

GENERAL SUMMARY:
Manages a team of professionals to promote laboratory safety by evaluating, identifying, and mitigating risks and hazards. Directs and oversees University programs associated with research and clinical laboratories. Provides reports to senior management to determine compliance with local, state, and federal codes/regulations. Maintains required records and reports. Supervises, trains, and provides guidance to technical staff. Leads specialized or departmental training sessions needed for all laboratory personnel Responds to emergency situations or off-hour issues as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs and oversees the OSHA-mandated Chemical Hygiene Program Standard (Lab Standard), and other University Programs associated with research and clinical laboratories. Reviews all written programs and updates as required to comply with new interpretations.
• Supervises the daily activities of the Laboratory Safety Unit staff. Provides reporting to senior management to determine compliance with local, state, and federal codes/regulations. Provides guidance to laboratory inspectors on actions that can be taken to reduce hazards/risks and provide safer working conditions for lab personnel.
• Assists in application of Chematix for all chemical inventories, inspections, and hazardous chemical waste modules for the laboratories. Utilizes the system to assess for potential health hazards, chemical risk assessments, and fire loading.
• Directs and conducts chemical monitoring for the use of anesthetic gases, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, benzene, xylene, and other substances of concern in laboratories. Maintains the records of all reports associated with the assessing and monitoring of chemical hazards within the laboratories.
• Develops, updates, and ensures access to all general laboratory safety training within the learning management system annually, in addition to any specialized or departmental training sessions needed for all laboratory personnel who work in the University’s research and clinical laboratories. Prepares or provides training as needed for other miscellaneous topics such as contaminated systems or hazardous waste.
• Assists environmental compliance leadership with the management of the University’s spill response team. Supports bi-annual training in responding to radiological, biological, and chemical spills at the University. Responds to emergency situations or off-hour issues and requests for assistance.
• Reviews research protocols for UCAR (University Committee for Animal Resources) for chemical hazards.
• Follows up on incident reports, participates in various University safety committees, and engages in special projects as needed at the direction of environmental health and safety senior leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field and 10 years of relevant experience required
• Master’s degree in related field preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five years of experience in chemical engineering, industrial hygiene required
• Experience in management and regulatory compliance with chemicals required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Familiarity with chemicals and toxins and ability to meet CDC and DOJ requirements as Alternate Responsibility Facility Official with access to select agents required
• Ability to pass background check as required in accordance with select agent regulations required
• Expert knowledge of laws, regulations, standards and procedures that pertain to chemicals required

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Industrial Hygienist by the American Board Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) upon hire required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status,or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.