Director of Chemical Safety - CHO

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), the Director of Chemical Safety (DCS)/Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) manages and directs the chemical safety/hygiene, hazardous waste management and environmental compliance programs for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and offsite facilities such as agricultural research stations. The DCS/CHO is responsible for developing, supporting, and promoting programs necessary to help maintain a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. They also oversee policies, procedures and programs that ensure the safe and compliant use of chemicals in laboratories and other university facilities. The DCS/CHO, assisted by program staff, provides consultative services to faculty and staff related to the safe handling and disposal of chemicals. They work closely with faculty and staff to set chemical safety policies for the university and interpret these into goals and objectives for the department. The person in this position must be skilled in recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace and environmental health hazards, especially those related to chemical use. Strong interpersonal skills will be required to build effective working relationships, negotiate and solve problems with multiple constituencies in a large, decentralized research environment. Experience in risk communication is highly desirable.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field
Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience managing chemical safety and general laboratory safety programs (with Bachelor's degree)
Minimum of five (5) years of formal supervisory experience (with Bachelor's degree)
Master's degree (or higher) from an accredited institution in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field
Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience managing chemical safety and general laboratory safety programs (with Master's degree)
Minimum of three (3) years of formal supervisory experience (with Master's degree)
Experience working in or directly supporting laboratories

Nice To Haves

Experience managing chemical safety programs at a large academic institution
Ph.D. in chemistry, toxicology, environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemical engineering, health physics or a closely related field
Experience in risk communication

Responsibilities

Assists in the development of strategic safety initiatives, coordinating with other areas of specialty to ensure cross-functional alignment
Leads efforts to ensure that non-laboratory locations (including housing, athletics, animal care facilities, and agricultural research stations) are compliant with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Lead campus-wide efforts to ensure that hazardous chemicals are used in a safe manner that is consistent with the campus Chemical Hygiene Plan
Assists in the development of operating policies and procedures to comply with established industry regulations and unit objectives
Oversees the appropriate application and interpretation of policies, procedures, and programs affecting the use and disposal of chemicals and other hazardous materials across campus and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations
Responsible for all aspects of the campus chemical safety, hazardous waste management & disposal, and environmental compliance programs; this includes setting unit strategic and operational goals and overseeing the department budget
Serves as the unit liaison to institutional stakeholder groups providing organizational information and representing the interests of the unit in the absence of a director