EH&S Lead

Arc Institute • Palo Alto, CA

1d • $127,000 - $157,000

About The Position

Arc Institute is an independent nonprofit research organization at the interface of artificial intelligence and biology, based in Palo Alto and partnering with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco. As EH&S Lead, you will own the development, implementation, and management of Arc’s Environmental, Health, and Safety programs and culture. You will design solutions that satisfy overlapping local, state, and federal requirements and serve as Arc’s primary point of contact for regulatory and certifying agencies. The remit includes chemical hygiene, biosafety, OSHA compliance, medical and hazardous waste, safety permits, and sustainability programs.

The role provides safety leadership and subject matter expertise while building partnerships with laboratories, administrative teams, and other functions. The EH&S Lead develops and maintains compliance programs and systems, oversees risk assessments and audits, investigates incidents, manages regulated waste and environmental permitting, and helps ensure personnel have appropriate safety equipment and training. The position also owns and maintains Arc’s EH&S wiki.

Arc’s work brings together experimental and computational biology through its Technology Centers and Core Investigator labs. Its initiatives include building a virtual cell model to identify disease mechanisms and drug targets, and investigating the genes, pathways, and environmental factors behind Alzheimer’s disease.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial hygiene, biology, chemistry, environmental science, occupational safety and health, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of laboratory experience, including 5 years in EH&S, with a minimum of 2 years leading and developing EH&S programs.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a track record of managing multiple projects accurately and on time.
• Working knowledge of the scientific and technical aspects of applicable regulations, including Cal/OSHA, CalEPA, the Medical Waste Management Act, EPA, DEA, OSHA, NRC, and NFPA, and how they apply to laboratory operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to prioritize resources, influence group behavior, and build consensus around safety practices.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team, with a positive attitude, a strong sense of urgency, and a bias toward action.
• Interest in learning new techniques, keeping accurate records, and working within established policies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with Animal Research Occupational Health and Safety programs.
• Experience supporting laboratory animal research involving biohazardous or hazardous materials.
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide safety leadership and EH&S subject matter expertise aligned with Arc’s operating principles.
• Develop, implement, and maintain EH&S programs, procedures, and systems in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, driving continuous improvement.
• Develop Arc’s safety strategy and carry out safety policies and procedures in accordance with applicable regulatory and organizational requirements.
• Advise Arc’s administrative team on safety and compliance for specific projects and operations.
• Define Arc’s approach to EH&S employee safety and onboarding training, focusing on efficiency and engagement.
• Own and evolve compliance programs, including the Cal/OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard and biosafety program, chemical safety, radiation safety, and controlled substances.
• Own Arc’s environmental compliance strategy, including the industrial wastewater discharge permit, hazardous waste requirements, and regulatory permitting.
• Own the risk assessment program and conduct regular risk assessments and safety audits to identify workplace hazards and remediate them or recommend improvements.
• Lead investigations of accidents, incidents, injuries, and complaints concerning potential hazards or unsafe conditions to determine root causes and preventive measures.
• Conduct safety inspections and walkthroughs across Arc’s labs to surface insights and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Develop and manage EH&S management systems covering chemical inventories, SDS, near-miss reporting, permitting compliance, and incident investigations.
• Oversee regulated medical and hazardous waste programs, including vendor contracting.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory and certifying agencies and government authorities.
• Own procurement and maintenance of safety equipment and supply inventory, ensuring onsite personnel are adequately protected from workplace hazards.
• Respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials.
• Develop, own, and maintain Arc’s EH&S wiki.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus, with the amount dependent on individual and institute performance factors.
• Eligibility to participate in the Institute’s Compound Cash Grant Program, which provides multi-year cash grants paid in semi-annual installments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior