EH&S Specialist - St. John's University

St. John’s, established in 1870, has three New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship, and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission.  As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community.  We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution. Our graduates will excel in the competencies and values needed for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.

Department

Environmental Health & Safety

Specific Job Title

EH&S Specialist

Reports to

Director, EH&S (Colleen Greaney)

Campus

Queens

Job Summary

The EH&S Specialist is a member of the Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), and reports directly to the Director, Department of Environmental Health & Safety. The EH&S Specialist manages the Health & Safety Programs for the Health Sciences departments, newly located in the Health Sciences Center (HSC) at theQueens campus.The Specialist will understand the safety risks and potential hazards in health science environments and implement best practices to prevent injury and illnessand to best serve the science community.

Essential Functions

General responsibilities include delivery, management, and improvement of comprehensive health sciences,occupational safety, and compliance programs in the new Health Sciences Center. The Specialist will manage the safety risks and potential hazards in health science environments and implement health and safety programs to address these risks.

Specific duties include:

• Manage the Biosafety and Occupational Health Programs for the health sciences programs.

• • Oversee the implementation of best practices for occupational health and PPE protocols.

• • Manage bio-hazardous and medical waste disposal.

• • Conduct Biosafety Levels (BSL1 and BSL2) hazard assessments and implement safety protocols consistent with NIH/CDC guidelines.

• • Provide emergency response for biological/medical waste spills.

• Manage the NYCDOHMH Radiation Control Program for the X-Ray machine/s in the Radiological Sciences department.

• • Oversee the Radiation Protection and dosimetry programs, conduct surveys, monitoring,and annual reporting.

• • Function as Assistant Radiation Safety Officer andparticipate on the Radiation Protocol Committee and the Radiation Safety Committee.

• • Conduct radiological inspections and follow-up.

• • Manage operation and maintenance for radiation safety equipment and PPE.

• • Support EH&S in emergency response for radioactive spills.

• Implement and manage the OSHA Laboratory Safety Programby implementing the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

• • Conduct hazard assessments and implement safety protocols.

• • Participate on the University Laboratory Safety Committee.

• • Conduct laboratory inspections and follow-up.

• • Manage laboratory chemical inventories.

• • Manage operation and maintenance for laboratory safety equipment, including chemical fume hoods, safety shower/eye wash stations, and fire extinguishers.

• • Provide emergency response for laboratory incidents.

• Manage the RCRA Hazardous-waste and Universal-wasteprograms in the HSC.

• • Manage laboratory waste and medical waste programs at the HSC per all applicable regulations.

• • Maintain clean and orderly central waste-storage rooms and oversee waste pick-up for disposal.

• • Maintain NYSDEC certification for waste manifest authorization.

• Provide support services to the academic Health Sciences departments, especially regarding procurement, receipt and delivery for materials, supplies, and equipment.

• • Oversee operations at the loading dock as regards materials in and waste out.

• Compliment and assist EH&S personnel with OSHA, EPA, FDNY, DOT and DEC regulatory requirements and campus needs.

• • Maintain relationships with local, city, state and federal agencies.

Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related technical field required

• Strong working knowledge of environmental and workplace safety regulations, laboratory safety, and hazardous waste management.

• Experience with a Radiation Safety Program and Chemtracker Chemical Inventory system desired.

• Must be highly service-oriented, organized, and capable of working in a service environment handling multiple assignments.

• Must be computer literatewith experience using Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint,Access, and web-based applications.

• Compliance experience in an academic, medical, or industrial setting desired.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills required.

Work Environment

This job operates in a University setting, particularly as regards laboratory, scientific, mechanical,and waste-collection spaces. Collegial interactions occur in science laboratories, healthcare simulation suites, classrooms, offices, conference rooms, etc.

This role routinely uses standard laboratory PPEand handheld environmental diagnostic meters. Program administration and training will require office equipment such as personal computers, printers, projection screen technology, etc.

Physical Demands

The duties of this job will occasionally require lifting up to 50 lbs.and moving laboratory supplies/equipment with appropriate carts. The employee is occasionally required torespond to emergency situations in the laboratory.Work will involve the ability to stand; move about; sit; to carry work and use controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs;communicate. Specific vision abilities required by the employee include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Conditions

Our programs are designed to minimize and/or eliminate hazardous exposures. However, the employee may experience certain low-level hazard exposures (i.e.Noise, Fumes, Odors, Gases, Dust, Hazards) while performing work duties.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of normal work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, certain employee responsibilities will require occasional work in the ‘off-hours,’which include early morning, late evening, and weekends.

Travel

Travel is primarily local and may include visits to the other NYC colleges and universities. Some travel is out-of-area and overnight travel may be required.

Required Education and Experience

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering.

• Environmental Science, or a related technical field required.

• Must have strong working knowledge of environmental and workplace safety regulations, laboratory safety, and hazardous waste management.

Preferred Education and Experience

• 1-3 years related experience in EH&S or laboratory management at a university, hospital, or industry preferred.

• Experience with a Radiation Safety Program and Chemical Inventory database desired.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Maintain (related) certification/license or obtain it within 12 months of hire.

• FDNY Laboratory Certificate of Fitness (C-14)

• Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) designation.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual salary for this position is $65,000. St. John’s University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

This position may be relocated to any of St. John’s University’s physical locations at any time.

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events

Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from women and minorities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.