Hazardous Materials Specialist - Environmental Health & Safety

West Virginia University•West Virginia, WV

About The Position

The Hazardous Materials Specialist works in West Virginia University’s Environmental Health & Safety department and designs, develops, implements, and manages OSHA, EPA, and WVDEP compliance programs related to hazardous materials. The role supports the main campus in Morgantown, regional campuses, University farms, and other University-operated areas. The specialist administers institutional hazardous-material policies with minimal supervision, provides program services and decision-making guidance to institutional groups, monitors operations for compliance, identifies deficiencies, and recommends corrective measures. The position also supports emergency response, safety training, vendor oversight, and other Environmental Health and Safety programs. It sets goals and supervises graduate student employees and may act for the Hazardous Materials Manager when needed. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, plus at least four years of directly related professional experience and/or training in hazardous-material compliance and program management. A master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred. Candidates must meet all qualifications by the time of employment and pass a post-offer pre-employment physical, including respiratory clearance for protection up to Level A SCBA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Environmental Health and Safety, a related field science, or equivalent experience.
At least four years of directly related professional experience and/or training in hazardous-material compliance and related program management; pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Ability to understand and interpret federal, state, and local health and safety regulations and communicate quantitative and qualitative information.
Ability to work effectively with professional-level employees, provide leadership, and coordinate program implementation using negotiation, explanation, and persuasion.
Ability to adapt to a wide variety of work environments.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to use a personal computer.
Ability to evaluate complex issues, be creative, and develop short- and long-term solutions.
Ability to complete assigned tasks within very limited time frames.
Ability to establish rapport and maintain good working relationships with local, state, and federal regulatory agency personnel.
Ability to coordinate and work effectively on project teams and committees.
Ability to manage and administer assigned health and safety programs to support a safe and healthy environment at WVU.
Ability to lead and reason logically and strategically.
Ability to review, interpret, and provide recommendations on architectural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical drawings.
Ability to complete hazardous-waste determinations.
Pass a post-offer pre-employment physical, including a respiratory-clearance physical for respiratory protection up to Level A SCBA.
Visual acuity.
Ability to sit or stand for long periods.
Ability to lift 40 pounds.
Willingness to enroll in medical surveillance as specified by the job role.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Environmental Health and Safety, a related field science, or equivalent experience, with an undergraduate emphasis in the sciences.

Responsibilities

Administer institutional policies related to hazardous materials, including programs such as Hazardous Waste Management, Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Response, Laboratory Safety, Hazard Communication, Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures, and Department of Homeland Security requirements.
Set goals and supervise graduate student employees; act in the absence of the Hazardous Materials Manager as necessary.
Provide program services, leadership, and decision-making options to institutional groups required to comply with program policies.
Continuously monitor activities and operations for compliance, identify deficiencies, and provide written corrective measures.
Collaborate with administrators, managers, Chemical Hygiene Officers, faculty, and PIs to reduce incidents and abate hazards.
Keep current with hazardous-material issues and emerging regulatory matters.
Administer long-term strategies to reduce the adverse impact of environmental health and safety demands on institutional human and financial resources.
Network with local, state, federal, industrial, and academic professionals to benchmark programs and evaluate best practices.
Correspond with regulatory agencies regarding hazardous-material activities.
Respond to institutional emergencies.
Provide safety and health training as necessary to WVU staff, faculty, students, and visitors.
Assist the Hazardous Materials Manager in overseeing contract vendors to ensure services meet contract terms.
Perform other assigned duties and assist with other Environmental Health and Safety programs as assigned.