Environmental Health & Safety Specialist - Environmental Health & Safety

The department of Environmental Health & Safety at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Environmental Health & Safety Specialist.

About the Opportunity:

The incumbent will design, develop policies, implement, and manage programs related to hazardous and non-Hazardous waste on the main campus in Morgantown, all regional campus locations, including WVU farms and any other areas being operated by the University. This position includes being responsible for the administration of institutional policies related to hazardous and non-hazardous wastes and providing program services, leadership, and options for decision making to institutional groups required to comply with program policies. This position requires the ability to manage a complex program while working collaboratively with stakeholders having diverse interests.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Design, develop policies, implement and manage OSHA, EPA, and WVDEP compliance programs related to hazardous materials management on main campus in Morgantown, all regional campus locations, including our farms and any other areas being operated by the University.
• Responsible for the administration of institutional policies with minimal supervision related to hazardous materials which may include: Hazardous Waste Management, Chemical Emergency Preparedness & Response, Laboratory Safety, Hazard Communication, Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasures, Department of Homeland Security, etc.
• Set goals and provide supervision to Graduate Student employees. Acts in the absence of the Hazardous Material Manager as necessary.
• Provide program services, leadership, and options for decision making to institutional groups required to comply with program policies.
• Monitor, on a continuous basis, the activities and operations necessary for compliance, identify deficiencies, and provide written corrective measures to ensure program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Set goals to reduce incidents and abate hazards in collaboration with administrators, managers, Chemical Hygiene Officers, faculty, PI's, etc.
• Remain current with hazardous material issues to assure WVU maintains is aware of emerging regulatory issues.
• Administer long-term strategies developed to reduce the adverse impact of environmental health and safety demands upon human and financial resources of the institution.
• Network with other professionals in local, state, federal, industrial, and academic institutions to benchmark programs to evaluate best practices.
• Correspond with regulatory agencies pertaining to hazardous materials activities.
• Respond to institutional emergencies.
• Provide safety & health related training as necessary to audiences that may include WVU staff, faculty, students and visitors.
• Assist Hazardous Materials Manager in overseeing contract vendors to assure the services are provided as stated in contract agreement.
• Responsible for other duties as requested or assigned.
• Assist in the operation of all other Environmental Health and Safety programs as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Environmental Health and Safety, related field science or equivalent experience is required.
• A minimum of four (4) years of directly related professional experience and or training in Hazardous Material compliance and related program management. Pertinent knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered for experience.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret federal, state and local health and safety regulations and communicate quantitative and qualitative information.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with, provide leadership, and coordinate program implementation with professional level employees utilizing skills to negotiate, explain and persuade.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to a wide variety of work environments.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in oral and written format.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize a personal computer.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex issues, be creative and provide short-term and long solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to complete assigned tasks in a very limited time frame.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and maintain a good working relationship with various local, state and federal regulatory agency personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and work effectively within project teams and committees.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and administrate assigned health and safety programs as necessary for WVU to maintain a safety and health environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and reason logically and strategically.
• Demonstrated ability to review, interpret, and provide recommendations on architectural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical drawings.
• Ability to complete hazardous waste determinations.
• Must pass a post offer pre-employment physical that includes:
  
  
  
  • Must pass respiratory clearance physical for respiratory protect up to Level A SCBA.
  • Visual acuity
  • Able to sit/stand for long periods of time
  • Ability to lift 40 pounds
  • Willingness to be enrolled in medical surveillance as specific by job role
  
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Environmental Health and Safety, related field science or equivalent experience with an undergraduate emphasis in the sciences is preferred.

• Valid Driver's License
• Hazardous Materials Awareness, Operations, or Technician level training (or ability to acquire certification within a year).
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager or equivalent preferred.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciate - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.