Health and Safety Officer

Date Posted: 04/10/2024
Req ID: 36918
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
Position Number: 00040373

Description:

About us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possibleso that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best - advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your opportunity:

Under the direct supervision of the Environmental Health and Safety Manager, the Health and Safety Officer (HSO) provides health and safety services to the faculty, administrative staff, and students of the University of Toronto at Mississauga as part of the broader team within the Division of Vice-President, Research and Innovation. The HSO interacts with a wide range of people, such as faculty, staff, students, suppliers, other University compliance officers, vendors, contractors and researchers, to provide information and advice on safe work practices and compliance measures, such as but not limited to, biological, chemical, and radiation safety. Additional responsibilities include implementing and supporting various EHS programs (including training for staff and students) within established University policies and procedures and ensuring compliance with federal and provincial regulations. The HSO also works collaboratively with other EHS and UTM staff to perform duties at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus in areas such as lab inspections, lab design review, lab commissioning and decommissioning, waste management, and risk identification/mitigation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing advice to others on biosafety, chemical, radiation and/or other safety requirements, best practices and procedures as applicable
• Providing advice to others on emergency response processes and preparedness 
• Assisting with emergency response procedures where applicable (e.g. minor chemical/biological spill)
• Preparing detailed risk assessment analysis and making mitigation and safety practices recommendations
• Conducting routine lab inspections
• Analyzing and recommending corrective actions to meet health and safety requirements 
• Providing support for the mandatory chemical inventory system (HECHMET)
• Investigating and reporting on health, safety and regulatory non-compliance occurrences
• Preparing incident reports 
• Attending Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings 
• Conducting annual fume hood testing and certification 
• Reviewing and closing out incident reports 
• Scheduling and conducting respirator fit-testing
• Providing safety training and ensuring adherence to safety procedures and standards

Essential Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a related field; MSc preferred, or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience required; demonstrated experience in both the radiation and biosafety protection fields preferred;
• Demonstrated knowledge of transportation/packaging of dangerous goods regulations for radiation, chemical and bio hazardous goods.
• Knowledge of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and its regulations
• Demonstrated knowledge of Human Pathogens and Toxins Act, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, Health of Animals Act
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet competing demands and deadlines
• Effective problem solving; knowledge of lab design;
• Superior oral and written communication skills; strong judgement to deal diplomatically and effectively with all members of the University community;
• Demonstrated skills in PowerPoint, Excel, Word
• Knowledge and experience applying and interpreting relevant University policies and procedures or equivalent organizational policies and procedures.
• Valid Ontario driver's license to be able to drive to different campuses and/or otherwise able to travel to other campuses as required

Assets (Nonessential):

• Professional Certification in Health Physics/Safety/Safety Engineering/Industrial Hygiene/Occupational Health and Safety/Biosafety (one or more of CRPA(R), CHP, CRSP, PEng, CSSE, CIH/ROH, CBSP) or equivalent.
• Professional Memberships/Affiliationsin one or more of: Canadian Radiation Protection Association, Ontario Association of Campus Radiation Safety Officers, Biological Safety Association, Health Physics Society, Association of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario or equivalent;
• Demonstrated knowledge of radio-chemical laboratory techniques to take, prepare and analyse samples for radioactivity;
• Demonstrated knowledge of radiation monitoring, bioassay and environmental monitoring equipment and biosafety compliance measures, infection control, decontamination and safety requirements;
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for radiation generating devices, X-ray and radioisotopes as well as non-ionizing sources such as lasers, x-ray, UV, and EMFs

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Organized
• Problem solver
• Team player

Closing Date: 04/18/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Type: Budget - Term This is a TERM role ending March 2025.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 14 -- $88,290 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $112,911. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.
Job Category: Health & Wellbeing
Recruiter: Anita Chooraman

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.