Hazardous Waste Manager

The University Of Chicago; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Hazardous Waste Manager (HWM) to lead the hazardous waste program across the university’s research enterprise. The HWM will provide professional expertise to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, best practices, and university policies in handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Chemical Safety, the role supports safe laboratory practices and collaborates with institutional partners to advance

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification is a college/university degree in a related field.
• Minimum 5+ years of related work experience.
• Ability to implement University compliance activities per strategic plans.
• Knowledge of regulations and successful regulatory representation.
• Experience with hazardous waste management in a university setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies for hazardous materials management.
• Conduct inspections and audits of campus facilities and practices.
• Supervise and manage the contracted hazardous waste vendor.
• Maintain records related to hazardous waste generation and handling.
• Prepare regulatory reports and documentation (EPA forms, etc.).
• Develop contract language and pricing aligned with procurement processes.
• Assist in decommissioning laboratories to ensure safe waste disposition.
• Review invoices and monitor expenditures against the budget.
• Provide safety briefings and action plans for stakeholders.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Problem solving under pressure

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree in chemistry/environmental health/occupational health and safety/engineering or life sciences

Tools

MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)

Job description

Department Provost Office of Research Safety

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) provides a research safety framework, subject matter expertise, emergency response, and management of research safety support activities for the University to ensure that laboratory and field research are conducted safely and in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines. The ORS leads the development of university-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe research environment and to facilitate research compliance and is guided institutionally by the Research Safety Policy Council (RSPC). The ORS works closely with counterparts in the academic Divisions, the University Environmental Health and Safety Office, the Medical Center Environmental Health and Safety Office, Facilities Services, Physical Plant, Project Management, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

About the Department

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) provides a research safety framework, subject matter expertise, emergency response, and management of research safety support activities for the University to ensure that laboratory and field research are conducted safely and in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines.

Job Summary

The Hazardous Waste Manager (HWM) provides leadership for the hazardous waste program across the University of Chicago's research enterprise. The HWM provides professional expertise in University operations to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, best practices, and University policies as they pertain to the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. Reporting to the Associate Director of Chemical Safety, this role supports safe laboratory practices in research laboratories and support areas across campus. The HWM works extensively with institutional partners to advance the University’s academic and scientific mission through effective chemical hygiene and compliance with regulations and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures related to hazardous materials management including laboratory compliance, hazardous materials transportation and security, hazardous waste handling and disposal.
• Conduct inspections and audits of campus facilities and work practices; recommend corrective actions and perform follow-up verification of deficiency corrections.
• Supervise and delegate day-to-day operations of the University's contracted hazardous waste vendor; ensure the vendor follows proper packaging, marking, labeling, manifesting, handling, and management of containers in compliance with regulations.
• Maintain accurate records related to hazardous waste generation, including waste determinations, waste stream profiles, uniform hazardous waste manifests, land disposal restriction forms, and waste reports.
• Complete and file reports and documentation required by regulatory agencies for hazardous waste generation (e.g., EPA Form 8700-12, Large Quantity Generator Annual Waste Report, Chicago Liquid Waste Fee).
• Develop detailed contract language and pricing structures tailored to University hazardous waste operations; collaborate with the procurement team throughout the RFP process to ensure compliance and optimal vendor selection.
• Assist University stakeholders with laboratory decommissioning to ensure hazardous waste is properly managed and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Review invoices for hazardous waste shipments for accuracy and compliance; monitor expenditures against the annual budget to support cost control and financial tracking; analyze data and provide guidance to University stakeholders on budgeting and compliance.
• Provide feedback to team members, laboratory staff, students, and research leadership on safety issues, and coordinate the development of remedial action plans as required.
• Assist in assessment and cleanup of chemical spills in laboratories; provide emergency consultation during off-hours as required.
• Participate as a rotating On-Call Safety Officer on the emergency response team; respond to hazardous material releases and serve in the appropriate response role based on training and expertise.
• Collaborate with UChicago Medicine and campus Environmental Health and Safety departments to ensure safety and compliance.
• Develop and review presentation materials for briefings and trainings to engage and motivate stakeholders.
• Stay current on regulatory changes; interpret and apply relevant laws, codes, and standards and make recommendations related to hazardous materials management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Guides the implementation of compliance activities designated by the University's strategic plans.
• Monitors University compliance with regulations and laws.
• Represents the University in regulatory proceedings before federal, state and local agencies.
• Prepares the University's position statements and responses to information requests.
• Performs other related work as needed.
• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in chemistry, environmental health, occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or one of the physical sciences or life sciences.
• Experience: Previous experience in hazardous waste management, preferably in a research or university setting.
• Strong knowledge of chemical safety and RCRA, OSHA, and DOT regulations, as well as awareness of state and federal guidelines from CDC, NIH, USDA-APHIS, EPA, DOD, and FDA.
• Relevant certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
• Capable of obtaining medical clearances for use of respiratory protection necessary for HAZMAT response.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to problem-solve, remain calm in emergency situations, stay focused, and work under pressure with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people at all levels of knowledge across institutional partners.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) including database design, maintenance, query writing, and report generation.
• Ability to travel for attending and/or presenting work at regional and national scientific conferences in the field of chemical safety.

Application Documents

Resume (required) Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family Legal & Regulatory Affairs Role Impact Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Salary FLSA Status Exempt Pay Range $90,000.00 - $105,000.00

Benefits Eligible

Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.

Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.

To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/