Program Manager, Chemical Safety in Princeton, New Jersey at Princeton University

Job Type Full-Time

Overview

Princeton University Environmental Health and Safety seeks a collaborative, skilled, highly motivated individual to fill the role of Program Manager for Chemical Safety and Chemical Hygiene Officer. Reporting to the Director for Research Safety, the successful candidate initiates actions and establishes procedures and policies with the purpose of reducing the risk of exposure of University students, faculty, and staff to chemical hazards; ensures compliance with standards and regulations governing the handling of hazardous chemical reagents including flammable, toxic reactive and other materials; oversees audits and surveys for the purposes of assessing risk and monitoring exposure as needed; leads incident and accident investigation and analysis; and develops and provides information and training as it relates to chemical safety and other programmatic responsibilities. Also reviews effectiveness and efficiency of programs and considers and implements Chemical Safety Program improvements.

The Princeton University Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides leadership, technical support, information and training, consultation, and periodic audits of environmental, health and safety practices and regulatory compliance. EHS employs a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of 22 professional and support staff working to address health and safety issues in several broad areas including workplace safety, occupational health, laboratory and research safety, emergency management, environmental programs, and general health and safety for the campus community.

Responsibilities

Designs and conducts risk assessments to actively identify and address unsafe work practices or conditions that may lead to chemical exposures in campus research facilities. Creates and maintains resources to assist the research community with controlling exposure to chemical hazards. Advises research and administrative leadership of opportunities to reduce or eliminate potential for exposure through comprehensive risk assessment, engineering and administrative controls.

Provides advice, assistance, and awareness training to University Facilities staff and leadership related to conducting maintenance and services within campus laboratories and other research facilities.

Advises the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Assistant Vice President for EHS, research and administrative leadership and others of successful strategies for regulatory compliance and leads audits and evaluations of assigned programs. Conducts investigations of exposures to chemical reagents within or related to research facilities; submits findings internally and to external regulatory agencies based on need. Advises the Hazardous Materials Shipping program on material characterization shipping chemical materials and other dangerous goods.

Establishes regulatory required research safety and compliance programs in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation on Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratory (29 CFR 1910.1450), commonly referred to as the "Laboratory Standard", Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Air Transportation Association (IATA). Provides consultation on selection of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), engineering controls and SOP development associated with research activities involving chemical agents and systems.

Serves as a subject matter expert and resource to committees and group, including Environmental, Safety and Risk Management Committee (ESRM), the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee (IACUC) consulting on chemical use and exposure control related to registered research protocols. Also serves as chemical safety subject matter expert on IACUC semiannual and other compliance inspections.

Develops and provides (or oversees the provision of): chemical safety training for staff, faculty and students who work with chemical agents in university research facilities, chemical safety awareness training for students and support staff who may work in research labs and animal facilities; laboratory safety training, other topics related to chemical safety and awareness, pressure vessel/reactor safety, chemical safe handling, nanomaterials safety training, hazardous materials shipping training, waste management, awareness training for maintenance and janitorial staff and training for architecture/construction project managers.

Develops and implements University response to potential chemical hazard exposures sustained by students or staff and as a senior member of the EHS staff, serves a periodic on-call role.

Provides health and safety review and support of campus construction projects to ensure appropriate review and execution of research facility design and construction. Key aspects of facility design and construction support include evaluation of laboratory layout, building infrastructure, emergency egress, maximum allowable quantities (MAQ) of hazardous material/agents, and air monitoring considerations.

Investigates incidents involving chemicals and hazardous materials within research facilities to determine root causes, recommend mitigation strategies, and ensure implementation of same. Provides advice to healthcare providers in University Health Services for treatment of students and staff involved in these incidents.

Works with University Health Services, Occupational Health to respond to injuries or illnesses related to exposure to chemicals and other hazardous materials.

Provides training and professional development to EHS staff who support research safety and ensures tasks associated with chemical safety and related programs are executed in accordance with federal, state and local regulation, and University policy.

Conducts or supervises laboratory compliance surveys for the assigned programs and conducts or assists with various health and safety surveys in support of the Laboratory and Research Safety programs. Develops and documents recommendations for corrective action. Follows up on recommendations provided to the University community.

Serves as emergency response resource, responding to emergencies and incidents involving hazardous materials and research laboratories. This includes incidents that occur after hours requiring response to campus during off-hours, weekends, etc.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess a B.S. in chemistry, chemical engineering or closely related field. An advanced degree in chemistry or closely related field is preferred. Additionally, at least 4-6 years of experience providing chemical safety consultation and services in a private research and development, or university research setting are key.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential. Ability to clearly communicate to a diverse community of clients is fundamental to the success of the program. Ability to effectively prepare and present information and training to a diverse audience of adult learners. Must possess good organization, prioritization, and time management skills and ability to balance multiple skills.

Experience with software products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other web-based applications, and the ability to learn/use newly implemented research compliance applications essential.

Preferred qualifications include certification or ability to become certified for DOT and IATA hazardous materials shipping, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and direct experience in academic or other research laboratory environment.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.

Standard Weekly Hours
36.25

Eligible for Overtime
No

Benefits Eligible
Yes

Probationary Period
180 days

Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
No

Physical Capacity Exam Required
No

Valid Drivers License Required
Yes - Car

Experience Level
Mid-Senior Level

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Salary Range
$91,000 to $102,000