Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Description

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of the City of Hope, has an

opening for an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist. TGen is an Arizona-based, nonprofit

medical research institute founded in 2002, dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research

with life-changing results. Research areas include the genetic components of common and

complex diseases including cancer, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases. TGen is

headquartered in Phoenix and TGen North, the Pathogen Genomics Division, is located in

Flagstaff.  

Under the supervision of the Sr. Manager of Environmental Health and Safety, the

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist will provide support for a comprehensive, Institute-

wide, EH&S program to assure regulatory compliance and provide a safe workplace for all

employees, students and visitors. Support for the EH&S program can include, but is not limited

to, risk assessment and management, hazardous materials monitoring, safety data sheet

management, laboratory safety inspections, and development and delivery of safety training

courses. The EH&S specialist will provide administrative support to TGen’s safety committees

including the Institutional Biosafety Committee that oversees recombinant and synthetic

nucleic acids research and the Laboratory Safety Committee that works directly with lab staff

on safety program needs. 

The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist will act as a proactive agent in support of a

robust and supportive EH&S program for TGen. The work is team-oriented, collaborative and

dynamic and is supported by a welcoming and helpful team under the Office of Research

Compliance &Quality Management.

With support and guidance from the Sr. Manager of Environmental Health and Safety, the EH&S

specialist will:

• Serve as a primary resource regarding health and safety in the laboratory
• environment. 
• Provide input and support for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and internal safety policies and procedures (SOPs).
• Support the TGen (Phoenix and Flagstaff) EH&S program for compliance against local, state, and federal regulations and internal safety policies and procedures (SOPs). Stay abreast of current and emerging laws, regulations (EPA, OSHA, USDA, CDC), industry best practices and trends in environment health and safety.
• Develop, review and revise safety policies and procedures. Maintain and improve the EH&S SharePoint page (employee intranet) and related pages (IBC, Export and Shipping, Ergonomics etc.).
• Develop, deliver and track safety training for faculty, staff, students and interns.
• Perform risk assessments and/or procedural assessments and recommend measures to control exposures, including substitution of less hazardous materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), work changes, and engineering controls.
• Coordinate, administer, and participate in regularly held safety committee meetings, including TGen’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Assist in the collection and disposal of chemical and biological hazardous waste.
• Organize hazardous waste inventories for pick-up by a certified vendor.
• Conduct weekly inspections and periodic auditing of the hazardous waste storage areas.
• Maintain and update the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) database.
• Conduct environmental air quality monitoring, noise assessments and other hazard analysis as needed.
• Order and track EH&S supplies such as spill kits, first aid, and protective equipment supplies.
• Coordinate and conduct annual safety audits and supplemental laboratory safety inspections. 
• Prepare written reports outlining corrective measures where needed.
• Contribute to the renovation or design of new laboratory facilities, engineering controls, and safety equipment.
• Support the TGen Ergonomics program by assisting in performing individual workspace and work activity assessments, preparation of reports, and performing follow-up activities.

Requirements

Minimum

• Bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, Industrial or Occupational Hygiene, Environmental Health, Public Health or related field
• Must be familiar with applicable laboratory safety regulations and guidelines, including OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen standard, Hazardous Chemicals in the Lab and Hazard Communication standards; the NIH/CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories and the NIH recombinant DNA Guidelines
• Proven ability to navigate and understand regulatory language and code
• Basic understanding of environmental, health, and safety principles and practices
• Familiarity with typical biological and chemical hazards found in a laboratory
• Basic computer skills to include internet navigation, email, and calendar usage, skilled as a typist and in word processing
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and equivalent Google documents
• Willingness to travel (limited, Flagstaff)
• Able to lift 25 pounds or more (infrequent) and work around hazardous biological and chemical hazards

Preferred

• Previous experience in a laboratory, quality management, or research compliance environment.
• Proficient with Adobe professional or similar, creating dynamic, user-friendly fillable documents and knowledgeable or willing to learn and utilize content creation platforms such as Canva, Venngage, or other
• Professional working knowledge with creating and implementing new processes, procedures, and policies.

Qualities:

• ? Attention to detail
• ? Creative
• ? Adaptable, open to change and work in ambiguous situations and respond to new information and unexpected outcomes
• ? Excellent oral and written communication skills
• ? Ability to present information in one-on-one and group situations
• ? Ability to interact with others in a positive, productive way including personnel in diverse positions including professors, researchers, interns, facilities technicians, and administrative personnel
• ? Ability to work independently