Biological Safety Specialist

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Houston is seeking an Environment Health & Safety professional to audit laboratories and workshops, provide safety training, and maintain regulatory records campus-wide. The role involves implementing hazard management programs and developing departmental safety policies.

Requires a four-year degree and at least one year of related experience; preferred technical certifications. Strong communication skills and proficiency with MS Office and EHS databases are valued for success

Qualifications

• Formal four-year degree in a scientific or professional discipline.
• Minimum of one year of directly related work experience.
• Technical certification or licensing related to the job preferred.

Responsibilities

• Audits campus for assigned safety areas including biological, chemical, general laboratory, hazardous waste, laser, regulatory compliance, occupational, radiation, shop and X-ray safety.
• Maintains safety program records and documents findings in audit reports and databases.
• Evaluates work areas for proper safety controls and develops improved work practices to reduce accidents.
• Implements safety programs in areas such as bloodborne pathogens, radiation dosimetry, hazardous waste or job safety analysis.
• Develops and trains faculty, staff and students in various safety programs and regulatory activities.
• Manages chemical inventory records for laboratories or shop locations.
• Assists in managing campus waste streams, including hazardous waste handling and vendor/regulatory documentation.
• Maintains knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and ensures proper implementation.
• Responds to incidents and emergencies and documents actions as part of the emergency response team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Auditing

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Safety training

Hazardous waste management

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

EHS databases

Job description

Department:Environment Health & SafetySalary:$56,800-$64,600

Description:

Conducts safety audits of laboratories and trade shops, provides safety training and maintains regulatory records. May also implement hazardous waste management program and develop departmental policies and procedures. Pursuant to the State of Texas Executive Order No. GA-48, this position researches, works on, or has access to critical infrastructure and requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the University infrastructure. This position requires personnel be routinely reviewed to determine whether or not criminal history or continuous connections for the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the employee from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

1. Audits campus for assigned safety areas, including biological safety, chemical safety, general laboratory safety, hazardous waste material safety, laser safety, regulatory compliance activities, occupational safety, radiation safety, shop safety and X-ray machine safety.

2. Maintains records of safety programs, in compliance with state and federal regulations; documents findings on EHS audit reports, and maintains applicable computer databases.

3. Evaluates work area and practices for proper safety controls and make requirement(s) to develop work practices that reduce the potential for accidents.

4. Implements safety programs in assigned area of specialization such as blood borne pathogen, radiation dosimetry, hazardous waste or job safety analysis

5. Develops and trains faculty, staff and students in various safety programs, including biological safety, chemical safety, general laboratory safety, hazardous waste material safety, laser safety, regulatory compliance activities, occupational safety, radiation safety, shop safety, x-ray machine safety and/or customized training for unique hazardous operations.

6. Collects, maintains and/or evaluates chemical inventory records for each laboratory or shop location.

7. Provides assistance in managing campus waste streams. This may include collection and transportation of hazardous waste, creation or validation of associated profiles, along with documents for vendor and regulatory agencies. Other duties may also include bulking hazardous waste activities and review/revision of bulking procedures.

8. Maintains working knowledge of federal, state and local regulations requirement and ensures proper implementation.

9. Responds to, investigates and documents accidents, incidents and/or emergencies, including spills and potential overexposure to hazardous material as part of the emergency response team.

10. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

MQ: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.

Requires a minimum of one (1) year of directly job-related experience. None. Preferred: Technical certification or licensing directly related to the job.

Additional Posting Information:

• Must have a basic knowledge of biological hazards in the laboratory environment.
• Must be familiar with applicable biological safety regulations and guideline, including bloodborne pathogens.
• Must communicate and work cooperatively with personnel in diverse positions, including professors, researchers, lab technicians, engineering and operations/facilities maintenance personnel, and administrators to apply regulatory requirements or guidelines to the unique environment of the research or clinical laboratory.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and be able to learn and use EHS databases.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.