Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Building: Geffen Building
• Salary Range: $80,000- $95,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, EH&S, the Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist (Sr. HMS) will support the daily operations of the Hazardous Materials Program in conjunction with the Associate Manager. The Sr. HMS will ensure that all Hazardous Materials Program projects, functions and reports are fulfilled in a proactive and timely fashion across all University campuses (Morningside Heights, Irving Medical Center, Lamont Doherty, Baker Field, Nevis and Manhattanville), University affiliates (Barnard College and New York State Psychiatric Institute) and satellite locations, as necessary. In addition, the Sr. HMS will work in collaboration with personnel in the Research Safety, Occupational Safety, Hazardous Materials, Data Systems, and Training programs to provide technical and regulatory compliance leadership and/or support on a variety of defined projects. They will maintain a client-focused approach and be accountable for assessing research and non-research procedures and practices and developing creative, sustainable and compliant solutions that meet the operational needs of faculty, staff and students and are consistent with University standards and best practices.

SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regularly scheduled audits to oversee and ensure the compliance and maintenance of documents and records related to chemical and universal waste management (e.g., uniform hazardous waste manifests, land disposal restriction forms, non-hazardous waste manifests, and medical waste tracking forms).
• Lead and direct EH&S inspection readiness efforts through regular surveys of field conditions and subsequent follow-up interventions, as well as maintenance and documentation of such efforts. To include the development of waste management plans in individual laboratories, where needed.
• Provide technical support to the Hazardous Materials Team to ensure full compliance with applicable regulations and University policies and ensure corrective action, as necessary, is implemented and sustained.
• Identify and create opportunities for EH&S safety program development through data and gap analysis; work in partnership with Senior Safety Advisors to propose resource needs, program logistics and cycle timelines.
• Assist in preparing all required plans and reports, including but not limited to Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan, Annual Hazardous Waste Generators Report, Hazardous Waste Reduction Plan, DOT Registration, c7 notifications, quarterly NYSDEC tax reports, and periodic EH&S/departmental reports.
• Provide guidance and support to the Hazardous Materials Team in the management of service schedules of environmental contractors/vendors providing routine, special projects, and emergency services to EH&S, and ensure the Team's timely processing of all invoices, records, manifests/waste tracking documents, discrepancy reports, insurance documents, etc. Coordinate approvals and waste profiles for vendors to pick up, transport, and dispose of hazardous waste, and ensure all disposal facilities meet University requirements.
• Provide primary support for onboarding of new EH&S staff with regards to Hazardous Materials Program responsibilities.
• Lead Hazardous Materials Team meetings and help establish program direction for proactive delivery of services and compliance with satellite accumulation area and waste storage area requirements and development, implementation, and monitoring of program initiatives.
• Manage and maintain policies for the Hazardous Materials Program.
• Further develop University safety programs at specialty facilities, such as the School of the Arts (SOA), and extracurricular student clubs including the Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and Columbia Space Initiative.
• Support the basic functions of the Research and Occupational Safety programs, as needed, including delivery of core services, emergency response and chemical shipping.
• Respond to chemical spills and other emergency situations.
• Support the Hazardous Materials Program staff, as necessary (i.e., emergencies, unplanned absences, etc) in the collection of chemical waste from laboratories, Facilities shops and other sites.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline (Chemistry, Biology, or Environmental Sciences preferred); Master's degree in scientific discipline and/or environmental sustainability preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in the environmental health and safety field, preferably in an academic or research environment.
• Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to or regarding the management of hazardous chemical waste; OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER, RCRA, and DOT certifications required.
• Excellent verbal, public speaking, and written communication skills are essential.
• Ability and maturity to carry out activities with minimum supervision and provide leadership and mentorship to departmental personnel.

Other Requirements

• The Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist will maintain collaborative relationships with EH&S colleagues and with University stakeholders and work to ensure the development and effective implementation of hazardous materials and sustainable laboratory programs.
• Must be an effective proponent of EH&S programs and work with other University departments, and develop professional contacts at peer institutions with staff performing similar activities.
• Ability to productively interact and share information with colleagues.
• Prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously and exercise good judgment in managing time.
• Establish and maintain professional, collaborative, service-oriented, working relationships with students, faculty, staff, unions, customers, the public, regulatory agencies and co-workers through effective and positive communication; write and speak clearly and appropriately on complex topics and to communicate risks effectively including the ability, including preparing and delivering professional-quality presentations in multiple disciplines to audiences with varying educational backgrounds; understand, interpret and convey measurements, data, standards and hazardous materials information.
• Work in a variety of physical environments, including weather/temperature extremes, potential confined spaces, elevated locations and stand, walk, and negotiate occasional awkward work locations and paths of travel.
• Periodically perform short duration physical exertions, including light-medium weight lifting, pushing/pulling, stair or ladder climbing, etc. in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, decommissioning or emergency response; use industrial hygiene/environmental equipment and information technologies, including advanced database, spreadsheet, presentation design software and word processing editing features; lift 50 pounds, manipulate a 55-gallon/400 pound drum using a drum cart, and wear a respirator and other personal protective equipment

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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