Chemical Hygiene Officer

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

34d•Onsite

About The Position

Cornell University is widely admired as one of the world’s most respected research and teaching institutions. The Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) provides comprehensive programs and services to support healthy, safe, and environmentally responsible practices for our world class faculty, staff, students and university community. EHS assists the campus community with compliance and promotes health, safety, and environmental stewardship. In collaboration with Director of Research Safety, the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) will develop, promote, and support a comprehensive laboratory chemical safety program to comply with applicable laws and regulations for Cornell University’s Ithaca campus and outlying facilities, except for the except for Weill Cornell Medicine New York City or Qatar. The primary function of the CHO is to provide leadership and expertise in the development, administration and maintenance of chemical safety programs to prevent and reduce the incidence of laboratory injuries and exposures and to assist the Cornell community in achieving compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards. The CHO will develop, implement, and manage policies, procedures and programs that promote a safe, responsible, healthful and compliant work environment for all faculty, staff and students. The CHO is a visible role within EHS and the University, serving as a key partner to colleges and research units in providing service, technical support, and compliance guidance and acting as a liaison with external agencies. This position serves as the University’s designated Chemical Hygiene Officer under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450. The CHO will have responsibilities that oversee and monitor programs, procedures, and policies that assure compliance in the areas of: Lead the development, review, and update of the University Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan. Oversight of the laboratory inspection program for research, teaching and clinical laboratory areas. Management of the laboratory registration process and door hazard signage program. Oversight of the laboratory ventilation management program, including specification of safety-critical performance requirements and collaboration with Facilities and maintenance stakeholders. Lead, evaluate and advise on technical resolution for facility renovation and projects related to lab working areas, including design review and decommissioning of equipment. Developing and delivering EHS programs and training related to chemical safety and integrated laboratory hazards. Lead the planning and implementation of injury and illness reduction strategies Overseeing safety program requirements and inspection standards of fume hoods, and emergency showers and eyewashes, in collaboration with other campus units. Endorse and advise on the development of Safety Committees and participate in meetings. Provide strategic oversight and guidance for animal research programs where chemical hazards are involved. Collaborate with College Safety Representatives, Department Safety Representatives, faculty, staff, and students in research, teaching, and clinical areas. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

Requirements

Must possess a Master’s Degree in a chemistry-based science, industrial hygiene, environmental science or closely related field with at least three to five years of progressively responsible experience in laboratory or chemical safety, preferably in academic or research-intensive environment. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Must be qualified by training or experience to be designated by Cornell University as the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450, with the ability to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Demonstrated use of Microsoft Office products, at a minimum, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Proven integrity and accountability, with a track record of completing work on time and within budget.
Ability to work in a diverse culture.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and mentor colleagues, engage stakeholders at all levels, collaborate effectively with faculty oversight committees and external regulators.
Effective communication skills, both oral and written, to develop written programs for compliance with regulations and to present health and safety training programs to university staff, students, and faculty.
Proven technical knowledge of laboratory chemical hazards and their regulations (OSHA, NFPA, Fire Code, EPA, RCRA, DEC, etc.).
Demonstrated skills in assessing and improving laboratory safety programs, including inspections, hazard assessments, incident investigations, and the use of digital safety management platforms.
Requires use of good judgment in sensitive situations with employees at all levels within the University community.
Ability to pass a pre-employment physical for the use of respiratory protection equipment and to serve as a member of the University’s hazardous materials emergency response team.
Must possess and maintain a valid NYS Driver’s License. Out-of-state employees must obtain and show proof of a NYS license within 30 days of starting employment.
Ability to pass a background check as required by Cornell and federal criminal background clearance if required.
Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Nice To Haves

PhD in chemistry, safety sciences, industrial hygiene, environmental health or closely related field.
Professional certification such as CIH, CSP, CHMM, CCHO, or equivalent, or the ability to obtain within 3 years.
Previous supervisory or program management experience in laboratory safety or an EHS role within a research-intensive environment.
Experience working directly with external agencies (e.g. OSHA, EPA, DEC) and applying recognized standards (e.g., NFPA, ANSI, ISO, NYS Fire code) in a laboratory safety program.
Demonstrated expertise in hazardous materials emergency response and incident management, with applied knowledge of occupational health and safety principles relevant to laboratories.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, review, and update of the University Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Oversight of the laboratory inspection program for research, teaching and clinical laboratory areas.
Management of the laboratory registration process and door hazard signage program.
Oversight of the laboratory ventilation management program, including specification of safety-critical performance requirements and collaboration with Facilities and maintenance stakeholders.
Lead, evaluate and advise on technical resolution for facility renovation and projects related to lab working areas, including design review and decommissioning of equipment.
Developing and delivering EHS programs and training related to chemical safety and integrated laboratory hazards.
Lead the planning and implementation of injury and illness reduction strategies
Overseeing safety program requirements and inspection standards of fume hoods, and emergency showers and eyewashes, in collaboration with other campus units.
Endorse and advise on the development of Safety Committees and participate in meetings.
Provide strategic oversight and guidance for animal research programs where chemical hazards are involved.
Collaborate with College Safety Representatives, Department Safety Representatives, faculty, staff, and students in research, teaching, and clinical areas.

Benefits

Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays, and superior retirement contributions.
Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

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