LABORATORY SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGER

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

We have an outstanding opportunity for a Laboratory Safety Program Manager to oversee and manage the University of Washington’s (UW) Laboratory Safety Program for approximately 900 research groups and 4,000 laboratory rooms.

This program is a comprehensive health and safety program for research and teaching laboratories where hazardous materials are used. An effective Laboratory Safety Program is critical to help the University ensure health and safety of personnel, environmental protection, public trust, and compliance with federal, state and location regulations. This position serves as the institutional laboratory Chemical Hygiene Officer and reports to the Research and Occupational Safety (ROS) section of the Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S). This position manages a team of eight (8) to 10 professional and classified staff members supporting laboratory safety and fume hood and biological safety cabinet testing and certification.

This position provides oversight, direct supervision and support for all elements of the following programs to ensure environmental and occupational health and safety, compliance, and effectiveness:

• Lab safety inspection program
• Lab fume hood and local exhaust ventilation testing program
• Biological safety cabinet (BSC) certification program
• Caution sign program
• Lab facility safety equipment audit program

This position is also responsible for development and maintaining policy and program documents and manuals including the UW lab safety manual and other University-wide technical safety manuals and guidance documents, for leading and conducting risk and exposure evaluations, and root cause investigations for occupational injuries, illness and incidents involving hazardous chemicals and other hazards in research or teaching spaces. This person is responsible for development and maintenance of the laboratory safety website content and communications, and development and delivery of laboratory chemical and other laboratory safety website content and communications, and development and delivery of laboratory chemical and other laboratory safety trainings offered by EH&S. This position provides technical expertise in support of chemical safety, lab safety, BSCs and chemical fume hoods, is a member and administrative contact person for the Institutional Chemical and Physical Safety Committee (ICAPS),and is a member of the EH&S department Chemical Safety Team.

This position is required to demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the execution of their duties and in alignment with the EH&S diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) mission statement: EH&S honors DEI in our actions internally as a department and in how we serve our University community members. We strive to ensure that the environmental health and safety requirements, support, services and resources are known, accessible, and adapted to the members of our community who need them. EH&S recognizes that understanding and respecting diversity in people, their life experiences and perspectives make us stronger, better informed, and more compassionate. This makes us more effective overall in meeting our mission for a healthy and safe University environment.

The position requires a thorough understanding and knowledge of chemistry, hazardous materials, occupational hazards and risk and exposure assessment, risk mitigation and communication, laboratory and occupational safety regulations, engineering controls, ventilation, BSC and chemical fume hood operations, incident response and investigation, funding agency requirements, and University policy. It requires the ability to interpret, apply, and assess compliance for numerous complex and technical regulations that apply to laboratories. These assessments require understanding of the exposure pathways and toxicology of hazardous materials, recognition of physical hazards, and exposure prevention strategies using a hierarchy of exposure controls. The position requires sound judgment, innovation, and advanced technical expertise in applying regulations and best practices to a diverse collection of research and teaching spaces. This position requires minimal supervision and is expected to regularly exercise independent decision-making, advanced technical expertise and judgment on program development, direction, critical thinking, advancing strategic goals, and client service delivery for complex laboratory safety issues with university partners.

This position is critical for ensuring health and safety and compliance in research and teaching settings with hazardous materials institution-wide including UW Seattle, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma, South Lake Union, Friday Harbor Labs, and other field and remote research sites. This position partners with UW compliance and organizational leaders and units with the goal of providing a healthy and safe University laboratory environment for students, faculty and academic personnel, staff, and visitors. This position is responsible for the management, oversight, and implementation of a multi-faceted Laboratory Safety Program for the University. The safest achievable work environment can minimize the potential for occupational injuries, illnesses, and incidents and will ensure environmental protection. This position provides regulatory compliance and technical oversight to the University's research and teaching mission. Failure on the part of the University to comply with these mandated laws and rules could result in injuries, regulatory citations, monetary penalty, loss of research funding, and possible civil and criminal sanctions against the University and its officials.

Duties & Responsibilities

70% Laboratory Safety Programs Management and Implementation

Provide management of effective, comprehensive, and compliant laboratory safety programs, related services and training including management of eight to 10 personnel supporting the programs. This position proactively coordinates across the EH&S department with other programs and staff with responsibilities for chemical and physical laboratory safety to ensure a comprehensive lab safety program that is well coordinated and aligned with other EH&S programs (e.g., biosafety, industrial hygiene, radiation safety, chemical inventory and waste management.

Laboratory Safety Inspection Program:

• Provide Lab Safety Inspection program management and oversight; ensuring the program evaluates laboratory research hazards requirements comprehensively based on compliance and risk; manage and maintain lab inspection dashboard for lab and research unit leaders; ensure lab inspections are conducted according to protocols, with consistency and quality, escalate outstanding issues according to established protocols, manage and maintain inspection database; develop and monitor metrics for safety and program performance, lead and conduct outreach and communications and research community engagement activities.
• Determine laboratory health, safety and compliance requirements; identify areas for improvement; communicate requirements; implement guidelines/recommendations to all levels of management, employees, professional and technical staff for research and teaching labs.
• Develop and conduct training relevant to laboratory/research safety, chemical safety, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, and other lab safety related topics.
• Oversee and manage the annual Lab Safety Manual review and revision process.
• Oversee and manage the Field Operations Safety Manual review and revision process.
• Develop and lead departmental level safety review of chemical handling and other occupational hazards in the laboratory environment.
• In coordination with client groups, develop and implement compliance strategies to address regulatory mandates, which recognize the complex operational and business lines of the University.
• Oversee the EH&S process to escalate and resolve lab safety findings.
• Manage, design and maintain databases, surveys, and develop data collection strategies. Perform data analysis and reporting.
• Develop reports for internal and external audiences, based on program data and other relevant information.
• Assimilate complex health and safety regulations and knowledge of University operations to develop and present technical training, web guidelines, and other educational outreach materials for delivery to audiences with a broad range of educational and technical backgrounds.
• Oversee and provide technical direction for creation of protocols and provision of training and coaching in knowledge areas. Develop, maintain, and deliver chemical and lab safety trainings.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, checklists, web references, and materials that support the survey program as needed.
• Identify measures to monitor the effectiveness and improve the laboratory inspection programs and related processes.
• Work with organizational units and laboratories to implement consistent safety practices and procedures.
• Serve as a member of the Institutional Chemical & Physical Safety Committee (ICAPS) to provide chemical and laboratory safety expertise.
• Serve on EH&S departmental Chemical Safety Team as the subject matter expert in laboratory and chemical safety and compliance.
• Conduct injury/illness/incident response and prevention investigations including field inspections, exposure assessments, and monitoring. Work with organizational units to identify primary and contributing causes and provide corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Develop departmental process for occupational health and safety review of chemical and other occupational hazards in the research environment.
• Analyze/evaluate findings and/or laboratory data concerning occupational health and safety hazards.
• Evaluate and determine effectiveness of exposure controls including local exhaust ventilation, selection and use of personal protective equipment. Make recommendations as needed for enhancements and changes to exposure controls.
• Complete detailed records of field activities, inspections, investigations, health hazard assessments, monitoring and sampling results and recommendations. Maintain records in accordance with accepted standards and assuring appropriate confidentiality and audit accountability.
• Perform risk and exposure assessments to evaluate hazards to personnel; assist researchers and research support staff in mitigating hazards by providing guidelines and recommendations, assisting with development or revisions to laboratory procedures, selecting appropriate personal protective equipment, chemical/hazardous materials management practices, and lab specific training.
• Provide technical expertise for the interpretation, application, and implementation of safety regulations, research safety, field investigations, hazard communication, and laboratory safety.
• Provide evaluation, consultation, and support to ensure health and safety and compliance in the University’s various complex research and teaching laboratories.
• Assist research departments in implementing requirements and best practices identified in the University’s Laboratory Safety Manual and EH&S safety manuals.
• Conduct routine lab inspections and schedule surveys via the established program.
• Manage the lab safety dashboards, including evaluating and accepting lab responses.
• Follow-up on outstanding lab findings according to protocol.
• Provide recommendations for engineering and administrative controls primarily to address chemical and physical hazards in the laboratory, as well as general work practices including personal protective equipment and training.
• Participate in University and state advisory and/or technical committees and organizational lab safety committees, as assigned.
• Develop compliance tools and training materials for laboratories, reviewing existing practices, and recommending changes that support minimization of hazards to meet UW expectations as stated in policy documents.
• Provide technical support to and may attend institutional safety committees such as Institutional Animal Chemical Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and U-Wide Safety Committees.

Biosafety cabinet (BSC) certification and fume hood testing program:

• Supervision of personnel, support for team lead on work assignment and workload management.
• Approval of requests for BSC purchase or move, manage lab and facilities issues as needed.
• Fiscal cost center management to ensure fiscal balance.
• Equipment purchase approval and ensure equipment is serviced.
• Review and provide metrics oversight.
• Ensure protocols and practices align with industry requirements and best practices.
• Verifying the proper function of local exhaust ventilation to capture airborne chemicals and biohazardous agents.
• Oversee and provide technical direction of ventilation needs related to BSC and Fume Hoods that arise in research and teaching laboratory spaces.

25% Supervisor and management duties

• Directly supervise approximately six staff members positions and manage a unit of approximately 10 people.
• Lead and implement strategy and planning for programs of responsibility. Develop goals and strategies to accomplish the work with clear expectations. Determine schedules, scope, and prioritization of work.
• Making hiring decisions to fill new and/or vacant positions.
• Plan, assign, and review work of assigned staff to assure business and strategic goals and objectives are being met.
• Assign, evaluate, and monitor work completed by staff.
• Develop job descriptions, recruit, interview, and hire new staff as required.
• Train employees and conduct job performance reviews.
• Supervise lab safety personnel, including a program to assure staff is technically skilled, have training plans and personal protective equipment necessary for their safety.
• Participate on EH&S Management Team and develop and support departmental strategic priorities.

5% Departmental Activities and Special Projects

• Participate in EH&S departmental and team meetings, work on special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.
• Incorporate strategic planning initiatives from the EH&S Strategic plan into routine work. Support data gathering for metrics and performance monitoring of programs to ensure organizational efficiencies and desired outcomes are met and program goals are reached.
• Will serve as the University’s EH&S On-Call (Duty Officer) outside of business hours on a rotational basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements include:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, industrial hygiene, environmental health, public health, engineering, ventilation, or related field.
• 5 years leading and implementing chemical safety, research safety, or other occupational health and safety programs
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate strong and collaborative relationships within the EH&S department, across the University, and externally with peers.
• Demonstrated ability work as part of a collaborative and interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with diverse audiences including faculty, staff, students, regulatory agencies, University departmental leaders and administrators.
• Demonstrated accountability, sound decision-making, time management, prioritization.
• Capable of successfully managing multiple projects with critical deadlines.
• Self-motivation and ability to self-direct and lead in situations with ambiguity including emergency/crisis situations.
• Proficiency with data management and analysis tools in a Windows environment, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Desired:

• Advanced degree in chemistry, industrial hygiene, environmental health, public health, engineering, ventilation, or related field
• Certification in industrial hygiene or hazardous materials management.
• Five years of experience leading complex occupational health and safety programs

Working Environment and Conditions:

• Frequently stand, walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, perform tasks in the field while conducting assessments/inspections.
• Must have the ability to travel to all areas of the UW enterprise including UW Seattle, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma, South Lake Union, Friday Harbor Labs, and other field and remote research sites.

Application Process:

You will be asked to submit a cover letter AND your response (in a separate “Cover Letter Assessment” to the following (limited to 7900 characters):

“We would like to know more about your experience with diversity, race and equity, and social justice. Please tell us about your experience engaging and working with diverse communities – particularly in the context of your professional, volunteer, or civic work. Please also address efforts you have made or been involved with to foster diversity competence and understanding.”

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.