Lab Safety Specialist (7146U), Environment, Health & Safety 51461
University of California, Berkeley
Application
Details
Posted: 01-Apr-23
Location: Berkeley, California
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 4057289
Lab Safety Specialist (7146U), Environment, Health & Safety 51461
About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.
We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.
Departmental Overview
The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship.
EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.
The Lab Safety Specialist monitors compliance by conducting initial and follow-up on-site inspections of lab facilities, and also supports the campus controlled substances program.
The First Review Date for this job is: April 13, 2023
Responsibilities
Monitors compliance by conducting routine initial and follow-up on-site inspections in lab facilities of approximately 135 Principal Investigators (PIs)
Organizes, schedules, and conducts inspections- interacting with department, laboratory, and shop personnel,
Establishes necessary corrective actions and procedural changes with laboratory personnel, including Principal Investigators in addressing environment, health, and safety deficiencies,
When appropriate, assists campus departments in correcting environmental, health and safety non-compliance issues (e.g. chemical storage, hazardous waste fume hood use, earthquake safety securing, chemical inventory, chemical hygiene plans, electrical/ energy safety)
Uses various tracking tools and systems to assure timely reporting of inspection results, and resolution of any findings.
Notifies appropriate faculty and department safety personnel of inspection results and planned risk reduction activities.
Independently interprets regulations and campus policies to provide guidance and direction.
Fully implements the Enforcement of Safety Standards in Academic Environments policy.
Manages day-to-day operation of the campus controlled substances program which include: routine inspection of storage locations, documentation of user clearance and training records, drug pickup requests, and tending to general CS program inquiries.
Provides safety consultation and workplace hazard assessment based on need by campus clients; investigates incidents, complaints, and assists with follow-up action items
Consults with researchers in their labs, and involves EH&S SMEs as needed to reduce hazards and support safer research operations
Designs new and / or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures
Adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environment. Within specific field maintains knowledge / expertise on existing / proposed changes in all regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws, regulations, codes and standards, including making recommendations for work environment changes based on interpretations and principles of professional practices.
Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any training necessary per role.
Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures.
Generates standard operating procedures (SOP), job safety analysis (JSA), and other documentation based on safety program requirements and client needs, including use of relevant scientific data.
Participates in formulation of annual inspection topics based on assessment of previous cycle outcomes, changing compliance requirements, and EH&S management input.
Works with EH&S IT, UCOP Risk and Safety Solutions (RSS) staff to maintain and improve, as necessary, management of inspection and program data.
Develops, implements, and monitors general lab safety programs, training and procedures as a member of the research safety team within EH&S.
Performs technical work related to field of expertise.
Provides assistance on issues pertaining to one or more of the following fields: occupational safety, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, hazardous materials handling and waste management.
Performs outreach and communication to assigned campus clients within the relevant field of laboratory safety and controlled substance program management. Review, update, and collaborate with communications staff to ensure all program documentation is up-to-date and current (websites, program documents, inspection checklists)Attends department safety committee meetings as assigned.
Staff Development: Works on professional committees and assignments, participates in professional training and attends relevant conferences, and/or is mentored or coached on a formal or informal basis.
Member of Designated Spill Response Team (Regular rotation, 24/7, up to every 6-8 weeks or more frequently as needed.)
Provide technical support to the Dedicated Spill Response Team (DSRT) program by serving as a 'Designated Responder'. Must be accessible via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during business hours. Will perform directly or coordinate any necessary field activities to evaluate and mitigate a hazard.
Provide technical support to the DSRT program by serving as the 'Lead Off-Hours Responder'. Must be accessible by UCPD via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during non-business hours. Must be within one hour of campus and may not engage in activity that will affect the ability to respond.
To serve as a designated responder, incumbent must meet the specific requirements of the DSRT program as outlined in the EH&S DSRT Program Guidelines. These include occupational physical qualifications. Medical baseline is required.
EH&S Emergency Response
At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Administration/ Research, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), serve in a designate role within the EH&S Emergency Support Function and be on call to the campus Emergency Operations Center in a campus designated disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release. Provide appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.
Required Qualifications
Broad knowledge and understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations.
Demonstrated experience and skill in interpreting and applying local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the workload within time and resource constraints.
Skills to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
Thorough written, and verbal communication skills, effective facilitation, interpersonal, conflict resolution skills, and political acumen to communicate workplace hazard mitigation to a diverse audience.
Bachelor's degree in Biological Science, Biochemistry and / or equivalent experience / training.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in Biological Science, Biochemistry, or related scientific or technical field
Professional certification, such as Associate Safety Professional or Certified Safety Professional.
*Governing Laws & Regulations
Incumbent's responsibilities are guided by a significant number of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as campus policies. There are municipal, regional, county, state and federal regulators that often have overlapping jurisdiction over those campus programs and activities being audited.
The following environmental, health, and safety subject areas each have multiple laws and regulations which may apply to UC Berkeley:
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $74,300 - $104,400, commensurate with experience.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information
Remote Eligibility: 40%
Not a Visa Opportunity
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Physical Exam
Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.
The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus - envisioned as a "City of Learning" - was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world's premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, UC Berkeley occupies a 1,232 acre campus with a sylvan 178-acre central core. From this home its academic community makes key contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Bay Area, California, and the nation.