EHS Specialist - Environment Health and Safety

University of Kansas Medical Center•Kansas City, KS

About The Position

The EHS Specialist serves internal and external customers by providing assistance across the Environment, Health & Safety office. The role supports environmental, health, and safety programs at the University of Kansas Medical Center, including hazardous waste management, laboratory inspections, radiation safety, training, regulatory compliance, and emergency response. The position requires handling heavy waste containers and being on call after hours. The employee is expected to work professionally and ethically, follow applicable policies and laws, maintain confidential information, and coordinate with other University areas in support of the University mission. Job duties may change and this description is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The position is regular, full-time, and hourly. The posted pay range is $28.20–$38.35 per hour, with a stated starting-pay estimate from the minimum to midpoint based on relevant factors.

Requirements

Four years of hazardous materials experience; education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
Ability to handle waste containers weighing as much as 300 pounds.
Ability to participate in required EHS and regulatory training.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Health Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Engineering.
Experience with radiation safety, emergency response, and safety committees.
Knowledge of biosafety programs, biological risk assessment, and waste management.
Communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Collect and process chemical, radioactive, and biological waste from research laboratories, including handling 55-gallon containers weighing up to 300 pounds.
Conduct weekly inspections.
Track decay-in-storage radioactive waste, maintain radioactive waste records, and coordinate radioactive waste disposal with outside contractors.
Survey laboratories for compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, including coordinating with laboratory staff, assessing risk and work practices, taking and analyzing radioactive contamination wipes, surveying radiation levels, and maintaining documentation.
Assist with coordination and calibration of survey meters and other instruments, ensuring instruments are properly calibrated or stored out of service.
Support the development and coordination of EHS training programs and policies.
Coordinate regulatory agency inspections and help minimize and correct deficiencies.
Assist with updating radiation and chemical inventory tracking systems.
Assist with proper shipment of hazardous materials and dangerous goods.
Maintain filing systems regarding occupant safety.
Help investigate and mitigate accidents, spills, losses, thefts, unauthorized receipts, uses, transfers, disposals, misadministration, and other deviations from approved safety practices involving hazardous agents; implement corrective actions as needed.
Be on call after hours and operate as an alternate emergency coordinator under the University’s Contingency Plan.
Participate in required training, including RCRA introductory training within 30 days of hire, annual RCRA training, and annual Radiation Safety, Biosafety, Bloodborne Pathogen, Hazardous Communication, Personal Protective Equipment, and HAZWOPER training.
Conduct activities professionally and ethically and in accordance with KUMC policies and applicable laws and regulations.
Perform job responsibilities safely and securely and coordinate work with other University areas.
Develop, maintain, and expand job-specific knowledge and skills; participate in relevant committees, task forces, or similar activities.
Maintain confidentiality of medical center, employee, and patient information and handle sensitive data with discretion and in accordance with policies and legal requirements.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage beginning on day one.
Health expense accounts with employer contributions for employees participating in a qualifying health plan.
Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
Additional voluntary insurance plans.
Paid vacation and sick time accruing upon hire.
Ten paid holidays.
One paid discretionary day after six months of employment.
Paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave after 12 months of employment.
Retirement program with an employer contribution.
Additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b).