Hazardous Materials Specialist

Apply Now
How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) is seeking an Environmental Health/Safety Specialist Intermediate to perform services associated with hazardous waste management. This position will be responsible for the collection, handling, and processing of chemical, medical, universal, and low-level radioactive waste generated on the Ann Arbor campus and satellite facilities.

Why Work at Michigan?

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care, that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides immediate vesting and two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Paid maternity and parental leave 
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

• Collect, handle, and process chemical, medical, universal, and low-level radioactive waste generated on the Ann Arbor campus and satellite facilities.
• Deliver supplies, waste sampling, profiling, and commingling.
• Conduct chemical transfers.
• Perform emergency spill response and hazardous waste training
• Write operational procedures, newsletter articles and other duties as required.       
• Provide excellent, proactive, and timely customer service and serve as the primary liaison between the Department of Environment, Health & Safety and the University community, ensuring regulatory compliance and coordinating shipments with the disposal vendor(s) under contract with the University. 
• This position will also be responsible for data collection and recordkeeping, report generation and invoice reviews.     

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, environmental health science or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in hazardous waste management, preferably in a university setting or similar industry involving hazardous waste disposal, to include experience in the selection of appropriate D.O.T. Proper Shipping Names, IATA and IMDG List of Dangerous Goods and hazard class variations, and the ability to properly classify hazmat shipments. Current certifications in DOT, RCRA, and Hazwoper technician level desirable.   
• Ability to classify, segregate and commingle, load and unload hazardous waste on/off trucks, move/transport packages of various shapes, sizes and weights (up to 50 pounds frequently and greater than 75 pounds occasionally); maneuver 15, 30 and 55-gallon drums (up to 300 pounds frequently and greater than 400 pounds occasionally).   
• Prepare documents for shipping (bills of lading, shipping papers, packing slips, hazardous waste manifests, land disposal restriction forms, etc.) for outgoing hazardous materials and hazardous waste shipments and provide clear instructions to customers/team members involved in handling each shipment.  
• Ability to prioritize workload and assignments while managing multiple projects.  Must be able to work independently with minimal direction and provide follow through with customers. 
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to exercise diplomacy and work effectively with a diverse group of people. Strong oral and written communication skills. 
• Proven ability to identify, select and apply appropriate limited quantity packaging provisions, D.O.T. exemptions, excepted quantities, De minimis exceptions, RQ and use of special permits in a multimodal environment specific to hazardous materials and hazardous waste shipments. 
• Demonstrated computer skills and knowledge necessary to assist in the development and implementation of a business system encompassing receiving and shipping transactions metrics. Ability to create customer quotations for individual collections and shipments that include estimating prices for hazardous waste disposal and selecting preferred vendors (and carriers) to use. Plan hazardous materials and hazardous waste shipments that meet customer expectations. Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office Suite software.  
• Must have a valid driver's license with the ability to obtain and maintain a class C commercial license with hazardous materials endorsement as a condition of employment. Must participate in a federally mandated physical and drug testing program after obtaining a CDL.
• Must participate in a university medical surveillance program and be able to pass a physical examination to allow for emergency response and wearing of personal protective equipment.
• Must participate in an emergency on-call program (including after hours) as a condition of employment.
  

Additional Information

Facilities and Operations seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to sustain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.