Chemical Inventory Specialist

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Georgia seeks a Chemical Inventory Specialist to assist the Chemical Inventory Manager in maintaining the university's extensive chemical inventory across campus locations. The role emphasizes accurate data entry, regular reconciliations, and management of hazardous materials in laboratory settings.

The position requires training delivery to laboratory staff, periodic safety assessments, and collaboration with researchers and safety teams to ensure compliance and continuous

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in biology or chemistry.
• At least 2 years of experience in a research lab.
• Strong data entry and inventory reconciliation skills.

Responsibilities

• 60: Conduct chemical reconciliations for all laboratories on main and satellite campuses, including barcoding and documenting chemicals.
• 15: Train chemical receiving staff and laboratory staff on inventory maintenance.
• 10: Conduct laboratory safety assessments or inspections as assigned by supervisor.
• 10: Assist with lab safety reviews in UGA Mart to determine hazardous vs non-hazardous chemicals.
• 5: Be part of the hazardous materials spill response team with on-call coverage.

Skills

Customer service

Safety compliance

Written communication

Independent work

Inventory management

Data reporting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Campus Optics EH&S

Job description

Posting Details

• Posting Number: S15845P
• Working Title: Chemical Inventory Specialist
• Department: VPR-Research Safety
• About the University of Georgia: Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
• Posting Type: External
• Retirement Plan: TRS
• Employment Type: Employee
• Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible
• Full/Part time: Full Time
• Work Schedule:
• Additional Schedule Information: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, additional hours may be required when on call
• Advertised Salary: $40,000 - $46,400; Commensurate with Experience
• Posting Date: 10/14/2026
• Open until filled: Yes
• Proposed Starting Date: 12/01/2026
• Location of Vacancy: Athens Area
• EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).
• USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

• Classification Title: EHS Technician I
• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• FTE: 1.00
• Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in science (Biology or Chemistry)
  • 2 years minimum working in a research lab
• Position Summary: The Chemical Inventory Specialist (CIS) assists the Chemical Inventory Manager (CIM) and is supervised by the Chemical Inventory Manager (CIM). The Specialist will serve as the program back-up to the (CIM) and together they form the primary team. Experience or willingness to learn rapidly for overseeing chemical inventories, inputting data, chemical inventory reconciliations and the handling of hazardous materials of all types in laboratory scale quantities is a requirement. The Chemical Inventory program is charged with the maintenance and quality control of the University's massive chemical inventory operation including hazardous chemicals maintained at satellite campuses. The Chemical Inventory program must maintain a high level of accuracy as information is shared with the laboratory inspection program, chemical safety plan program and emergency responders arriving at the scene. Hazardous Chemical Information is displayed via the Campus Optics EH&S platform. The CIS and CIM frequently interacts with researchers and laboratory staff as they offered chemical inventory management services on a routine basis and ad-hoc as required. They would be expected to identify critical issues with inventory management and assist labs with correcting those issues daily. The CIS position would also be required to conduct periodic training for chemical receiving staff and laboratory staff to ensure that all involved in the chemical inventory supply chain are aware of changes, updates, and best practices for maintaining an accurate record of hazardous chemicals on campus.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:
  • Professionalism and integrity in representing safety and compliance offices or programs
  • Clear focus on customer service as well as safety and compliance; ability to work within a strong and effective team
  • Active in consensus-building and safety initiatives; ability to grasp needs and concerns in varied areas of safety and compliance.
  • Work independently or as directed by the Chemical Inventory program needs or supervisor.
  • Takes initiative to perform recurring tasks dictated by established procedures and performs newly assigned tasks as needed.
  • Professional oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to assist CIM to prepare clear, accurate and informative reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Ability to assist CIM to implement continuous quality improvement through the use of relevant qualitative and quantitative metrics.
  • Working knowledge of State and Federal environmental health and safety regulations as well as nationally accepted standards, guidelines, and other related conventions on safety and compliance.
  • Ability to respond to critical safety and compliance situations appropriately in academic, research and clinical settings.
  • Ability to assist with in-service training and education programs in applicable programmatic areas.
  • Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, due to the diversity of safety and compliance services, and the wide range of potential work locations on campus.
  • Proficient in the performance and documentation of chemical and laboratory safety assessments.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Access and other established tools
  • Use of standard business office computer equipment and software.
  • Ability to work in a variety of physical environments, including weather extremes, chemical/biological/radiological laboratories, animal care and use facilities, etc.
  • Ability to conduct inventory reconciliation work and perform emergency response activities, including but not limited to wearing personal protective equipment such as respirator, climbing stairs, lifting, twisting, kneeling, turning, and occasionally lifting of 50lbs.
  • Ability to stand, walk and negotiate occasionally awkward work locations and paths of travel
  • Limited cross training within the Office of Research Safety staff is expected and is part of business continuity/resilience plan.
• Physical Demands:
  • Work in a variety of physical environments, including weather extremes, chemical/biological/radiological laboratories, animal care and use facilities, etc.
  • Conduct radiological work and perform emergency response activities, including but not limited to wearing personal protective equipment such as a respirator, climbing stairs
  • Stand, walk, and negotiate occasional awkward work locations and paths of travel.
  • Periodically perform short-duration physical exertions, including pushing, pulling, stair or ladder climbing, etc. in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, or incident response
  • Driving as needed to perform job-related duties
  • Lifting up to 50 pounds intermittently
• Is driving a responsibility of this position?: Yes
• Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes
• Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: No
• Does this position require a P-Card?: No
• Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No
• Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No
• Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes
• Credit and P-Card policy: Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
• Background Investigation Policy: Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

• 60: Conducting chemical reconciliations on a routine basis for all laboratories on the main UGA campus and the satellite campuses for research, teaching, and production laboratories. This would include barcoding and documenting newly acquired chemicals, assisting new labs with comprehensive full inventory set-up and assisting with bulk electronic transfers of hazardous chemicals to ensure accuracy. Part of this responsibility would also include routine data reports to ensure the highest quality of data as it is being collected and managed in the system.
• 15: Training for chemical receiving staff and laboratory staff to ensure that stakeholders know how to properly maintain their inventory.
• 10: Conducting laboratory safety assessments or inspections as assigned by supervisor or program needs.
• 10: Assist with lab safety reviews in UGA Mart. Determination of what chemical products are considered hazardous and non-hazardous and routing to the appropriate processing centers.
• 5: Member of the hazardous materials spill response team (on-call team). Anticipated on call coverage of approximately one week per quarter.