Chemical Hygiene Officer

Job Summary

This position will protect San José State University students, faculty and staff engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous materials. The role is responsible for monitoring and assessing hazardous and unsafe situations and developing measures to assure the safety of faculty, staff, and students, with respect to chemical, mechanical, electrical, environmental and biological safety. The incumbent investigates and documents incidents, writes reports, develops solutions, and works with the colleges to update their overall college safety plans and policies to ensure compliance with legislation.

Additionally, this position supports the campus Injury and Illness Prevention Program by developing and providing training programs, conducting hazard assessments, industrial hygiene monitoring and performing inspections to ensure worker health and safety. This position will also serve as the campus Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to provide oversight on the safe use of Class IIIb and Class IV lasers. This position is required to work in laboratory settings, waste processing areas, mechanical spaces, construction sites and office environments. The incumbent is expected to perform critical job functions regardless of weather conditions.

The Environmental Health and Safety unit of Facilities Development & Operations provides services to a University campus spread across nine sites comprised of +150 acres, 81 buildings, and more than seven million gross square feet. Maintenance & Operations employees approximately 250 full time permanent staff and up to an additional nine part time, seasonal, or contract staff. In FY20-21, the assigned operating budget for the unit is $49 million not including funds associated with purchased utilities or maintenance and repair projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, implement and maintain the Chemical Hygiene Plan which is designed to eliminate or minimize employee exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories.
• When necessary, perform employee exposure determination and document the findings with the collaboration of each department’s management.
• Perform routine inspections of lab and mechanical spaces to ensure the proper storage of hazardous materials.
• Investigate potential exposure incidents.
• Maintain the campus wide chemical inventory.
• Develop and implement training requirements and materials.
• Audit and review the Exposure Control Plan and the Chemical Hygiene Plan annually.
• Utilize software to track inspections and chemical inventory metrics.
• Assist faculty and staff in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hazardous chemicals
• Act as the campus Laser Safety Officer.
• Investigate the workplace for hazards and potential risks associated with laser use.
• Work with principle investigators to draft and implement written safety procedures.
• Review and approve plans for new laser installations, ensuring engineering controls are properly designed and built.
• Identify and determine cause of problems, and develop and present in writing recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local hazardous waste management regulations.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local environmental regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to hazardous materials emergency situations, incidents or accidents.
• Thorough knowledge of the appropriate procedures and protocols for handling hazardous waste.
• Working knowledge of computer as a tool, including ability to utilize database, spreadsheet, work-processing, project planning and presentation software.
• Working knowledge of California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) database.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team member in a dynamic unit. Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to be “on call” for hazardous materials emergency response at all times (24 hours per day, 7 days per week).
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Ability to pass CSU Defensive Driving in order to drive automobile, mid-size truck, and/or electric cart.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local air quality management regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to air quality emergency situations, incidents or accidents.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local water quality management regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to emergency situations, incidents or accidents involving drinking water quality.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local waste water management regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of best practices in responding to emergency situations, incidents or accidents involving waste water.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to medical waste handling and disposal.
• Working knowledge of industrial hygiene and occupational safety regulations and practices.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training.
• Six years of administrative work experience involving study, analysis, and/or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of administrative policies, procedures, practices, or programs.

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, occupational health, industrial hygiene or related science degree with coursework in chemistry.
• Master’s Degree in Science or Engineering
• Five to eight years of experience in Environmental Health Safety and chemical hygiene is preferred
• Previous experience serving as a Chemical Hygiene Officer and running a Chemical Hygiene Program is highly desirable
• Previous experience as a Laser Safety Officer and/or a radiation safety officer strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of fundamental chemistry and Environmental Health Safety

Compensation

Classification: Administrative Analyst/Specialist - Exempt III
Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,908/month - $7,516/month
Hiring Range: $5,908/month - $11,481/month
San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: September 9, 2021 through September 23, 2021. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
[email protected]
408-924-2252

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.
The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.
SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).

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