Laboratory Safety Specialist

Department
 

BSD ORS - Office of Research Safety

About the Department
 

The Biological Sciences Division (BSD) is the largest operating unit of the University of Chicago. It includes the Pritzker School of Medicine, approximately 20 academic units, degree-granting committees, and research centers and institutes. BSD's patient care operations are conducted primarily at the University of Chicago Medical Center and clinics, which share the same campus.
The BSD Office of Research Safety provides safety services to all facilities involved in research for both laboratories and lab support areas in the BSD.

Job Summary
 

The Laboratory Safety Specialist is responsible for managing and providing technical guidance, training, and inspective/risk analysis of the BSD to ensure a safe environment in which to facilitate research and the pursuit of academic excellence. This position provides input into University-wide research safety standards, policies, and procedures as a key member of the research safety community in addition to providing input on the allocation of roles and responsibilities for research safety between the Office of Research Safety and the divisional Laboratory Safety Specialists.
In addition, the Laboratory Safety Specialist will work with BSD Deans and the Office of Research Safety to develop and implement strategic initiatives to foster safety culture at all levels and all areas in BSD laboratory safety program; they will also work closely, and in coordination, with building managers within the BSD, along with the BSD Associate Director of Design and Construction.
The Laboratory Safety Specialist reports to the Biological Sciences Division Dean for Research and the Associate Provost for Research Safety.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the single point of contact for their assigned departments, Principal Investigators (PIs), and research teams on research safety issues and addressing research safety needs.

• Assists with all research safety support, collaborating with the Office of Research Safety, Animal Resource Center, and Environmental Health and Safety.

• Demonstrates a regular presence in the laboratories, building a strong partnership with assigned PIs and their research teams.

• Works with research teams to develop systems and procedures for maintaining their laboratories’ chemical inventory and monitor status of records.

• Ensures compliance of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, fume hood certifications).

• Helps PIs in developing Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols in conjunction with the Office of Research Safety and Animal Resource Center veterinarians.

• Conducts orientation training sessions with new PIs, ensuring they understand their research safety roles and responsibilities and how to acquire required support.

• Works with the Office of Research Safety to monitor adherence to training requirements and inform PIs about non-compliance.

• Works with PIs and departments to procure safety equipment and supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment, hazardous materials) for assigned research teams.

• Conducts inspections of all research laboratories and lab support areas as determined by risk level for unsafe conditions and work practices, recommends corrective actions, and performs follow-up verification of deficiency correction status.

• Schedules and partners with the Office of Research Safety staff for laboratory safety inspections with a representative of the research team, ensuring adherence to government regulations and University and department/division standards, policies and procedures.

• Serves on laboratory safety related committees and participates in departmental and campus-wide work groups to facilitate laboratory injury prevention, best practices, and lessons learned.

• Participates as a member of the emergency response team and responds to hazardous material releases and serves in the appropriate response role based on training and expertise.

• Monitors compliance and provides information and data to both the Office of Research Safety and Environmental Health and Safety in support of regulatory agency laboratory safety inspections.

• Reviews and researches appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment, and supports faculty and research support staff in the implementation of these control strategies.

• With a moderate level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.

• Plans and executes surveys, audits, and inspections of instruments, laboratories, and other facilities to ensure compliance with government and University policies and procedures. Analyzes data and initiatives immediate corrective action plans and follow-up to ensure implementation.

• Performs risk analysis on the University's environmental and occupational health and safety programs and implements alternatives or improvements to current programs.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

Driver's License - Multiple States

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or life sciences.

Experience:

• Lab Safety experience in chemical manufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research laboratory.

• Experience in Chemical Hygiene/laboratory safety practices.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Hazardous Materials Technician or higher classification, certified safety professional, certified industrial hygienist, safety management certificate, qualification in laboratory safety.

• Capable of obtaining medical clearances for using respiratory protection necessary for HAZMAT response.

​Preferred Competencies

• Ability to maintain professionalism, credibility and good service delivery practices when dealing with all contacts, internal and external.

• Ability to work with people of various ages and backgrounds and with diverse constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and staff in the University and the Medical Center.

• Ability to resolve conflicts and manage sensitive emergency situations appropriately.

• Ability to work in inclement weather or weather extremes.

• Knowledge and comfort with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities simultaneously.

• Considerable skill in working both independently and as part of a team.

Working Conditions

• Lab environment.

• Weekend/Evening hours: As needed to respond to emergencies and work in inclement weather or weather extremes.

• Travel requirements: As needed to assigned labs.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.