Occupational Safety Professional-Research Associate I

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 30 Sep 2021

Posting Details
Working Title Occupational Safety Professional-Research Associate I
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202100959AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate I
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range 55,000-62,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 09/30/2021
Description of Work Unit
The Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (ERHS) houses academic, research and clinical programs that address the promotion of human and animal health. The mission of the department is to deliver excellent education in environmental and radiological health to prepare students to contribute to society; to conduct state of the art research in human and animal health focusing on environmental exposures and clinical applications; and to promote excellence in outreach and service to the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and globally through information transfer, research, continuing education and technical assistance. ERHS is unique in its multifactorial approach to disease that involves chemical, physical, and biological factors. ERHS provides undergraduate and graduate programs leading to BS, MS and PhD degrees. 
 
The Occupational Health and Safety Consultation program is funded by the United States Department of Labor. This on-site consultation program offers free and confidential safety and occupational health advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states. In Colorado, consultation services are provided through Colorado State University. The program is committed to providing comprehensive safety and health solutions for small businesses throughout Colorado. 
 
Services offered to qualifying small businesses include on-site safety and health audits, health and safety program review and assistance, assessments of health and safety management practices, health and safety training and education, OSHA compliance assistance, workplace air and noise monitoring, technical guidance and information, and printed materials on occupational safety and health. 
 
The service is delivered by employees of Colorado State University, all of whom have advanced degrees in occupational safety or health and over five years experience in the health and safety field. 
 
The Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (ERHS) (https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/erhs/) is a highly interdisciplinary department with graduate programs in Toxicology, Epidemiology, Health Physics, Occupational & Environmental Health, Radiation Cancer Biology & Oncology, and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging. The department is home to 70-75 undergraduate Environmental Health students, over 140 graduate students, and 41 faculty members. 
 
As one of the nation’s top public research universities, Colorado State University is a land-grant institution, with enrollment of more than 33,000 students. CSU offers 76 undergraduate degree programs, 114 graduate degree programs, 21 professional master’s degree programs, and a Professional Veterinary Medicine program. CSU’s world-class research and scholarship attract more than $370 million in research funding every year, ranking second nationally in federal research funding for universities without a medical school. 
 
Fort Collins is an attractive community of approximately 170,000 located along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality of life measures by numerous publications; see https://www.fcgov.com/visitor/awards for the complete list. The Front Range has developed into a high-tech hub with companies such as Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, IBM, Intel, Keysight Technologies, Broadcom, AMD, Xilinx, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Woodward, and Northrop Grumman located in or near Fort Collins. The city offers a pleasant climate with excellent schools and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. More information on CSU can be found at https://ramtrax.colostate.edu/plan-your-visit/ and Fort Collins information can be found at https://www.visitftcollins.com
Position Summary
Using advanced knowledge as well as extended specialized and diversified experience in the scientific area of occupational safety, consultants provide operational and occupational safety guidance to leaders and executives in a variety of Colorado small businesses as stipulated by contract with the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 
 
This position serves as a lead primary resource for private sector General Industry and Construction safety evaluations and other complex occupational safety hazards that require innovative and difficult evaluations and solutions. This advanced work also includes the interpretation of scientific and technical studies, and other published literature, utilizing appropriate scientific and technical methods as necessary. 
 
The work requires advanced scientific knowledge as consultant is required to assess occupational safety issues/hazards, safety programs, and comprehensive safety and health management systems within Colorado small businesses that are unique and diverse. The work requires consistent exercise of discretion and judgement as the consultant assists operational leaders in analyzing current situations and determining the best course of action moving forward for their individual businesses. 
 
Assist small businesses in: 
• Conducting work site evaluations and assessments to identify potential safety hazards and recommend applicable/specific solutions for identified safety hazards via compiled detailed/specific employer report 
• Implementing occupational safety programs and/or auditing existing occupational safety programs and recommending safety program additions and/or changes based on established OSHA regulations or specific industry best practices 
• Assessing safety and health management systems and providing managers of small businesses with assistance in developing and/or improving those systems 
• Reviewing and analyzing work related injury and illness data (OSHA Forms 300 and 300A) to determine root causes and trends; and to recommend possible corrective action(s) 
• Providing onsite training to employers and employees as requested to inform and educate about appropriate safety and health topics (this training is typically impromptu and provided in an informal context) 
• Complying with occupational safety standards and regulations 
• Understanding occupational safety standards and regulations 
• Recommending solutions to any unique occupational safety hazards and/or regulations 
 
Design and deliver a variety of client/site specific occupational safety training programs for employers and employees. 
 
Apply advanced knowledge of safety principles evaluating and recommending hazard control methods. 
 
Develop client/site specific occupational safety assessment reports for Colorado small businesses. 
 
Comply with university, college, department and program policies and procedures as related to the position scope.
Physical aspects of this position include but are not limited to: Occasionally lifting objects weighing up to 40 pounds, climbing stairs and ladders, standing on elevated platforms, and varying work hours with shifts that may occasionally last up to 14 hours. Travel to small businesses throughout Colorado is required, as well as occasional overnight travel.
The position is annually renewable contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding.
Required Job Qualifications
• Bachelors degree in occupational/industrial safety or related field of study. 
 
• Experience and working knowledge of OSHA regulations, policies, and guidelines as outlined by Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations – Parts 1910 and 1926 
 
• Demonstrated ability to recognize unsafe/non-compliant working conditions in occupational settings and knowledge recommend appropriate safety controls 
 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with little supervision in order to provide professional consulting services to outside stakeholders and businesses 
 
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and uphold professional expectations of the unit (i.e. appointments, reports) 
 
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date 
 
• Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.) 
 
• Excellent customer service
Preferred Job Qualifications
• A Master of Science degree in occupational/industrial safety, or related field of study 
 
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) 
 
• Motivated self-starter with demonstrated ability to resolve problems independently and provide business strategy advice/consultation 
 
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills 
 
• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Small Business Occupational Safety Consultation
Duty/Responsibility

The OSHA consultation occupational safety consultant assesses occupational safety issues/hazards, safety programs, and comprehensive safety and health management systems within Colorado small businesses for general industries and construction.

The safety consultant advises, assists, and provides professional consultation to general industry and construction businesses in:

• Complying with occupational safety regulations (OSHA) and specific industry best practices
• Understanding occupational safety standards and regulations
• Implementing occupational safety programs
• Implementing comprehensive safety and health management systems
• Providing applicable and suitable safety hazard controls
• Design and deliver a variety of occupational safety training programs for employers and employees – tailored curriculum based on business practices, needs, as well as safety standards, compliance requirements, et cetera
• Evaluate and recommend safety hazard control methods
• Stay abreast of new safety regulations and/or industry best practices which includes work, training, and specialized intellectual instruction requiring the consistent exercise of discretion and judgement

Develop occupational safety assessment and professional consultation reports/guidance for Colorado small businesses (general industry and construction).

The written safety consultation reports include:

• Summary of the client visit
• All identified hazards including references to the specific OSHA regulations
• Recommendations for correcting the hazard(s) and implementation of management practices to prevent recurrence
• Safety and Health Program Assessment – A detailed evaluation system used to assess the effectiveness of safety and health program management. (This evaluation tool is divided into three components (Operational, Managerial, and Cultural) for measuring hazard detection and control activities, management program support, employee participation and culture within an organization)
• Primary indicators of success within a clients’ safety and health program (i.e. Injury and Illness incident rates as reflected on OSHA Forms 300 and 300A, and workers’ compensation data)
• Working with clients and internal policies and procedures from start to finish with written reports, abatement verifications, respective communications, case file management, et cetera
• Best practices and business specific strategies that align with the goals of the business

Provide safety report reviews for co-workers as well as ancillary occupational safety customer service.

Responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Telephone Consultations: Fielding client requests as well as occupational safety recommendations for incoming inquiries
• Research and/or assess need for occupational safety measurement/monitoring for General Industry and Construction small businesses
Percentage Of Time 90
Job Duty Category Technical Program Activities
Duty/Responsibility

As a member of the Colorado State University Occupational Health and Safety Consultation Program, cooperatively participate in technical program activities.

• When requested, participate in the development of protocols and procedures for controlling occupational safety hazards where you have knowledge and experience
• When requested, develop and recommend solutions to unique occupational safety hazards that you have encountered as a result of on-site consultation visits
• Participate in staff meetings in order to plan, coordinate, and consult with co-workers in the implementation of occupational health and safety consultation services
• When requested by management, interpret OSHA standards and codes (i.e. OSHA letters of interpretations, OSHA directives)
• Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, staff, general public, other government agencies, and other disciplines you contact within consultation position
• Work cooperatively with employer groups, trade associations, OSHA partners, and other agencies
• Comply with university, college, department, and program policies and procedures as related to the position scope
Percentage Of Time 5
Job Duty Category Development of Professionalism
Duty/Responsibility

Development of professionalism and professional expertise in the area of occupational safety.

• Attend and successfully complete training courses (required courses and optional courses) established by OSHA to become familiar with new and established OSHA regulations and occupational safety topics
• Attend conferences and seminars necessary to develop and maintain individual expertise in the area of occupational safety
• Maintain current technical expertise by researching current events and monitoring trade journals, the internet, and other sources of technical information
• Develop and maintain occupational safety professionalism by working cooperatively with appropriate professional organizations at the State and National levels
Percentage Of Time 5

Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure full consideration, application materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. (MST) September 30, 2021. Interested applicants must submit:
  • A letter of interest including career goals and objectives; 
  • Resume; 
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable); and 
  • Contact information for three professional references (please include name, company/job title, email address, and telephone number). References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. 


Contact Jean Runyan with questions regarding the application process ([email protected])
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel - Occassional
Search Contact Greg Gress / [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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