Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

University of Oregon•Eugene, OR

113d•$29 - $44

About The Position

The Occupational Health and Safety Specialist applies general knowledge of occupational health and safety to support Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) programs and professional services at the University of Oregon. The role supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of occupational health programs, as well as workflow coordination and customer service within EH&S. The specialist administers occupational health program operations serving animal handlers, hazardous materials workers, participants in worker hearing conservation, and others who must participate in occupational health monitoring. Duties include explaining procedures, evaluating enrollment requests, scheduling provider services, assessing occupational health exam results, maintaining program records and reports, and assisting program leads with periodic reviews. The role makes job-related decisions within occupational health and safety training programs, assessing compliance with rules and regulations based on available data, operating procedures, conditions, and hazards. The specialist also operates the EH&S safety training program, provides basic training on occupational health and safety policies and procedures, explains training requirements, evaluates supervisors’ employee hazard assessments, schedules trainers and facilities, analyzes training data, reports metrics, and supports continuous improvement. The position maintains safety data sheets for the Hazard Communication Program, oversees the safety data sheet database, trains users on the database software, and coordinates with departments and vendors to ensure data accuracy. In coordination with committee chairs and EH&S and Risk Management program leads, the specialist supports university safety advisory committees, attends meetings, tracks action items, and assists with program reviews. The role coordinates customer service for various EH&S safety programs, triages requests, connects customers with resources, and works with program leads to ensure timely responses, follow-up, and closure. Other duties may be assigned in support of a safe and healthful campus. Safety and Risk Services provides essential services during emergencies and inclement weather, and this position may be required to perform essential functions during those times. The schedule is flexible, and the employee must be available to work various shifts or hours, including weekends and holidays, with minimal notice. The employee must qualify for and maintain University of Oregon driver’s certification eligibility, including maintaining an Oregon driver’s license throughout employment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with a primary focus of at least 45 quarter hours or 32 semester hours in the physical sciences, and two years of related professional experience in environmental health or safety; or a satisfactory equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or professional certifications.
Graduate-level courses in relevant subject areas may substitute, on a credit-hour basis, for a portion of the experience. Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses.
Ability to perform duties in a way that advances and supports the department and university mission.
Ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment and build effective relationships for problem solving and positive interactions.
Ability to make independent decisions.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and secure sensitive and confidential information.
Initiative and attention to detail.
Ability to maintain a safe and safety-conscious workplace.
Ability to maintain a respectful workplace and model a positive, proactive attitude and the highest ethical standards.
Ability to provide superior customer service.
Must qualify for and maintain University of Oregon driver’s certification eligibility, including maintaining an Oregon driver’s license throughout employment.
Must be available to work various shifts and/or hours, including weekends and holidays, with minimal notice.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in higher education.
Experience managing occupational health or medical records.
Graduate-level coursework or additional experience in Industrial Hygiene, or in occupational, public, or environmental programs.

Responsibilities

Administer occupational health program operations for animal handlers, hazardous materials workers, worker hearing conservation participants, and other employees required to participate in occupational health monitoring.
Explain occupational health procedures, evaluate enrollment requests, schedule provider services, assess occupational health exam results, and maintain program records and reports.
Assist program leads with periodic occupational health program reviews.
Make job-related decisions within occupational health and safety training programs, assessing compliance with applicable rules and regulations using available data, procedures, conditions, and hazards.
Conduct EH&S safety training program operations and provide basic training on occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
Explain training requirements, evaluate supervisors’ employee hazard assessments, and schedule EH&S trainers and training facilities.
Review and analyze training data, report training metrics, and assist program leads with continuous improvement of training programs.
Maintain safety data sheets for the Hazard Communication Program, oversee and maintain the safety data sheet database, train users on database software, and coordinate with departments and vendors to ensure data accuracy.
Provide professional support to university safety advisory committees, attend meetings, track action-item completion, and assist with periodic program reviews.
Coordinate customer service for EH&S safety programs by triaging requests, connecting customers with resources, and working with program leads to ensure timely responses, follow-up, and closure.
Perform essential services during emergencies and inclement weather when required.
Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor in support of a safe and healthful campus.