Safety Specialist II

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Provide technical knowledge in the operation and support of laboratory safety programs in compliance with regulatory agency guidelines and institutional policies. This role involves assisting with the interpretation and implementation of health and safety regulations, developing policies and procedures for a safe working environment, conducting inspections, and responding to various safety-related incidents. The position also includes developing and conducting safety training, administering safety programs, and maintaining relevant records.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Two or more years of environmental health and safety experience.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and experience with relational databases (FileMaker Pro, SharePoint, Access, etc.).
Attention to detail including accuracy in all work areas to include data entry, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, safety databases.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to draft and finalize professional business correspondence such as e-mail, voicemail, letter and interoffice memorandum.
Applicant must have a dynamic skill set, willing to work with new technologies, be highly organized and capable of planning and coordinating multiple tasks and managing their time.
The position will require attention to detail, effective problem-solving skills and excellent judgment.
Ability to work independently with sensitive and confidential information, maintain a professional demeanor, work as a team member without daily supervision and effectively communicate with all groups of clients.
Able to work under pressure and accept supervision.
Regular and punctual attendance.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
U.S. Citizen.
Applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information at the level appropriate to the project requirements of the position.
Class "C" operator's driver's license.
Must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence.
If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident.
Ability to lift at least 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in engineering, a natural science, industrial hygiene, environmental science, or a related field.
Three years of experience in the environmental health and safety field.
At least three years of demonstrated ability using relational databases such as FileMaker Pro, Access, etc.
Three years of experience using SharePoint, printers and bar code scanners.

Responsibilities

Assist manager and staff regarding the interpretation and implementation of health and safety regulations, policies and procedures.
Consults with manager, and institutional personnel, as needed, to solve problems and to interpret and implement regulations, policies and procedures.
Responsible for developing policies and procedures to ensure a safe and healthy working environment which may include standard operating procedures and other written guidelines.
Supervises inspections of laboratory properties and facilities to evaluate health and safety issues.
Maintains current knowledge of policies, guidelines and regulations from government agencies.
Prepares reports of observations and findings.
Respond to indoor air quality complaints, potential overexposures to hazardous materials, fire and/or smoke reports, and other problems.
Develops, conducts or coordinates safety training classes for laboratory employees, as needed.
Oversees response to potentially unsafe conditions such as spills of hazardous materials.
Monitor/test or inventory related safety items such as first aid kits, emergency eyewash stations, and flammable storage cabinets.
Administer Safety Data Sheets program.
Oversee safety related inspections such as fire extinguishers, emergency eyewash/shower stations, and first aid kits and other safety related items.
Perform basic inspections of properties and operations to evaluate health and safety issues.
Maintain records pertaining to storage and disposal of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) and submit request for HAZMAT request for disposal online to campus as needed.
Provide for safety instruction and awareness through an orchestrated campaign involving signs, posters, bulletin boards, published articles, and other visual aids, to enable personnel to accurately judge hazardous situations and obtain appropriate PPE.
May attend seminars and workshops to maintain knowledge of current safety techniques and standards.
Operate a forklift, hand truck, and pallet jack.
Moving of heavy materials and equipment as needed.
Other related functions as assigned.