Laboratory Safety Specialist

Cornell University • Ithaca, NY

13d • 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. With oversight from the Chemical Hygiene Officer, the Laboratory Ventilation Specialist is responsible for health and safety programs in research areas. The primary function of the position is to provide effective and efficient delivery of EHS services to research areas. S/he will develop, and implement procedures and programs that promote a safe, responsible, healthful and compliant work environment for the research areas. All programs under this position’s function must be in a sustainable state of “in-control and capable” functionality. The position will have responsibilities that oversee and monitor programs, procedures, and policies that assure safety and compliance of research in the areas of: Assessing appropriate laboratory ventilation to assure safety of workers. Manage a control banding system for determining general ventilation rates and opportunities for energy conservation. Oversee laboratory fume hood verification program and work with Facilities and Campus Services to ensure testing and repairs are completed in a timely fashion Develop lab energy efficiency programs in collaboration with Energy and Sustainability Act as Research Safety liaison/triage for design reviews for lab renovations and new construction Lead for the Hazardous Gas program and Cryogen reviews Participate in the pre-operational reviews for chemical and equipment installations Support EHS laboratory and chemical safety programs and training Conduct EHS audits, inspections, self-assessments and risk analysis Injury and illness reduction Support DSRs, faculty, staff, and students in research 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. This is an endowed position. 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

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, safety, industrial hygiene, environmental, engineering, or closely related field.
• Two to four years’ working experience in a related field or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated use of Microsoft Suite products, at a minimum, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Proven track record of completing work on time and within budget.
• Ability to work in a diverse culture, EHS management systems experience
• Strong knowledge and experience in construction safety and industrial safety, including conducting design reviews.
• Position requires advanced education and experience with a solid working knowledge of a wide range of health and safety regulations.
• 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.
• Requires use of good judgment in sensitive situations with employees at all levels within the University community.
• Effective leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively lead and mentor colleagues.
• 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 pre-employment physical, medically qualified to utilize respiratory protection (i.e. full-face respirator, SCBA), capable of responding to and performing physically demanding work in a hazardous materials emergency.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in fields of chemistry, safety, industrial hygiene, environmental, engineering or closely related field.
• Certification specializing in chemical or laboratory safety, industrial hygiene, environmental or closely related field.
• EHS Audit experience
• Experience in engineering and building systems.
• Certification as a NYS Building Code Official.
• Experience with EHS management systems such as ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18000, ANSI Z10 or VPP

Responsibilities

• Assessing appropriate laboratory ventilation to assure safety of workers.
• Manage a control banding system for determining general ventilation rates and opportunities for energy conservation.
• Oversee laboratory fume hood verification program and work with Facilities and Campus Services to ensure testing and repairs are completed in a timely fashion
• Develop lab energy efficiency programs in collaboration with Energy and Sustainability
• Act as Research Safety liaison/triage for design reviews for lab renovations and new construction
• Lead for the Hazardous Gas program and Cryogen reviews
• Participate in the pre-operational reviews for chemical and equipment installations
• Support EHS laboratory and chemical safety programs and training
• Conduct EHS audits, inspections, self-assessments and risk analysis
• Injury and illness reduction
• Support DSRs, faculty, staff, and students in research 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees