Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

EHSCareers; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

The San Mateo Union High School District seeks an Environmental Health & Safety professional to oversee district-wide compliance, plan, and reporting. You will serve as Chemical Hygiene Officer and lead programs for hazardous materials handling, training, and audits across all sites.

Responsibilities include coordinating with regulators, maintaining plans, and implementing improvements to minimize risks while ensuring Ed code and federal/state laws are followed. 2–5 years’ experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, industrial hygiene, chemistry, or related field.
• 2-5 years’ experience in Environmental Health and Safety programs.
• Strong analytical tools.
• Broad knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, BAAQMD and Ed regulations.
• Knowledge of lead testing requirements (Williams Act).
• Asbestos, arsenic controls and AHERA knowledge.
• HAZWOPER, DOT/HAZMAT and Hazardous Waste handling certifications.
• GHS labeling and SDS creation experience.
• First Aid, CPR, AED training (trainer level).
• Ability to implement new programs and ensure compliance.

Responsibilities

• Appointed Chemical Hygiene Officer for the District.
• Maintain Chemical Hygiene Plan and related district policies.
• Develop and implement safety programs to meet regulatory requirements.
• Assess district risks and communicate with management.
• Provide training on accident prevention and compliance programs.
• Audit facilities for hazards and ensure corrective actions.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Industrial hygiene

Auditing

GHS labeling

AHERA knowledge

HAZWOPER

Hazardous materials handling

DOT/HAZMAT

Lead testing knowledge

Arsenic/Asbestos controls

First Aid/CPR/AED

Environmental auditing

Program implementation

Regulatory liaison

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

EXCELLENT FRINGE BENEFITS with District-paid premiums which includes medical, dental, life, vision, and long term-disability, plus CALPERS retirement.

WORK YEAR: 12 Month including 16 paid holidays

WORK HOURS: 37.5 Hours per week; 7.5 Hours per day

Please visit www.smuhsd.org -Human Resources-Job Postings-Classified for more information (ref. Posting#3784).

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities Use, daily checks and analyzes all environmental health & safety regulations, gather data, work with regulators, and prepare environmental plans and reports for submission to regulatory agencies. Educate employee population on Environmental Health and Safety requirements, such as for hazardous material usage, waste disposal and safety issues. Ensures that all district policies, plans, and protocol are up to date ensuring the sites are in compliance with Ed. Code, local, state and federal regulations. Supervise the implementation of the chemical hygiene plan District wide. Set priorities and review progress based on regulatory and internal policies requirements. Report to District’s management team on risks, exposures, requirements, and program status; make recommendations for improvement consistent with business priorities. Verify the accuracy of staff’s compliance activity. Recommend exposure control methods, such as process modifications, ventilation control, or personal protective equipment when necessary. Recognize the toxicological properties and potential effects of physical and chemical agents.

Essential Functions

• Appointed Chemical Hygiene Officer for the District.
• Maintain District Chemical Hygiene Plan, Hazardous Materials Business Plan, HAZCOM, arsenic program and IIPP and hazardous substances District policies.
• Management systems approach to develop and implement programs which improve facility safety and maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Assess risks to the district and communicate these issues to the management team.
• Prioritize and evaluate potential hazards to minimize exposure to employees.
• Assist regulators during inspections to the district.
• Plans and delivers training programs for all employees on relevant accident prevention and compliance programs such as: Lockout/Tag-out, confined space entry, PPE, fire prevention and protection, chemical handling, hazard communication, arsenic control plan and chemical hygiene plan.
• Audits all facilities to detect existing or potential accident, health hazards and management systems deficiencies. Determines appropriate corrective or preventative measures where indicated and follows-up with reporting to Maintenance and Operations head department or principals to ensure measures have been implemented.

• Purchase order creations and follow through for budget items related to environmental health & safety work.
• Manage the industrial hygiene and safety training schedule and subject matter.
• Oversees and handles the district AHERA report.
• Oversees and implemented the district HMBP’s for all district locations (hazardous material business plan.)
• Monitor and oversee the district underground tanks and related systems to ensure that they are in compliance.
• Other duties as connected to the EH&S field of work.
• Maintain and hold any and all valid credentials to perform the required work for the district.
• Perform other duties as needed or requested by management.
• On call for 24/7 emergency response to district safety issues.

Qualifications

Education/Training Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, industrial hygiene, Chemistry, or related field.
• 3-5 years’ experience in Environmental Health and Safety programs.
• Strong analytical tools.
• Broad knowledge of operating reporting requirements for OSHA, EPA, DOT, BAAQMD & Ed regulations (federal, state & locals).
• Knowledge of the Williams act for lead testing.
• Arsenic and asbestos understanding and controls.
• Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
• HAZWOPER certified.
• DOT /HAZMAT certified.
• Hazardous Waste Handler certified.
• Knowledge and experience with Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and its practical implementation in the creation in and requirements for labels and SDS’s.
• Basic First Aid, CPR, AED (Train the trainer).
• Ability to implement new programs and follow through.
• Environmental auditor certification a plus.
• Obtain and hold any valid credentials or licenses that are required by law or code.
• Attend required trainings and pass tests provided by the trainer to ensure knowledge retention.

Ability To

• Recognize and implement corrective initiatives as needed and follow through with any appropriate action.

React with and exercise good judgment, flexibility, and sensitivity to changing situations and emergencies.

• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing.

Maintain harmonious relations with school staff and maintenance and operations team.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Observe health and safety regulations.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Maintain routine records related to work performed.
• Meet District standard of professional attitude as outline in Board Policies 4119.21, 4219.21, & 4319.21, Professional Standards for Classified Employees.
• Identify workplace hazards and/or unsafe conditions and take appropriate action to correct same.

Handle emergency situations properly; report and respond to supervisors and/or public safety authorities; adopt safe course of action.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment/Hazards

• Indoor and outdoor environment.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
• Regular exposure to fumes, dust and odors.
• Emergency call out.
• Hazardous chemicals.
• Working in a cramped or restrictive work chamber.
• The District provides OSHA regulated safety training as needed.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Noise level in working environment is moderate; higher depending on task.
• Vision sufficient to read site drawings, tape measures, and other printed material.
• Able to hear conversation and sounds from machines and equipment.
• Speech sufficient to speak in an understandable voice.
• Physical stamina sufficient to reach, bend, stoop, extend, climb ladders, and crawl in small places.
• Strength sufficient to lift and carry objects and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs., and move up to 100 lbs. using a dolly or hand truck.

DISTRICT PROFILE

The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) is a community funded district with approximately 8,500 students. SMUHSD is situated in central San Mateo County between San Francisco and the Silicon Valley.

The District encompasses six communities, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Foster City, and San Mateo, and has six comprehensive high schools: Aragon, Burlingame, Capuchino (International Baccalaureate school), Hillsdale (Smaller Learning Communities school), Mills, and San Mateo. The District has an API over 800 and all schools are in Newsweek Magazine's Top 1000 High Schools. In addition, the District has Peninsula Alternative High School, an Alternative School of Choice, Middle College High School, and an Adult School serving 10,500 students. The District enjoys strong parent and community support as evidenced in three major bond measures passed in 2000, 2006, and 2010 ($621.5 million) for new construction and modernization.

More About SMUHSD

The San Mateo Union High School District, in existence for more than 110 years, continues to be a vital community academic and cultural resource.

With an annual operating budget that is funded primarily through local property taxes, it provides education to a diverse range of approximately 8,500 students attending six highly-rated comprehensive high schools, a special Middle College program in conjunction with the College of San Mateo, an alternative high school where students voluntarily recover credits, and a robust Adult School Program. The District has graduated an estimated 130,000 young people since its founding in 1902. To learn more about the SMUHSD, visit www.smuhsd.org or find us on facebook and twitter @SMUHSD.

Job Information

Job Category

EHS - Contract work

Salary

$72.83 - $88.53 Per Hour

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Experience

2 - 5 years

Position Type

Full Time

Industry Segments

Academic / Educational sector