Environment, Health and Safety Compliance Specialist

Mission Driven, Community Focused About | Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (cdrewu.edu)

Charles R. Drew University is located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of south Los Angeles and was founded in 1966 in the wake of the Watts uprising. CDU was founded to address inadequate medical care in the region and to provide equitable medical education opportunities for underrepresented students.

CDU is strongly invested in the local and regional community. The university leads multiple partnerships and programs to provide equitable healthcare resources in a variety of South Los Angeles neighborhoods.

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Vice Provost of Research Operations, the Environmental Health and Safety Compliance Specialist is responsible for recommending and implementing occupational safety standards and training on general lab management, and ensuring the University is in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze and interpret federal, state, and local regulations as they relate to occupational and environmental health and safety programs.
• Make recommendations and direct implementations of related regulations. Prepare anticipated changes to regulations and make adjustment as needed.
• Oversee the submission of reports to inquiries from federal, state, and local agencies. Review programs to ensure compliance with state, federal, and local agencies and University requirements.
• Direct the development, evaluation, interpretation, and implementation of new and amended policies and procedures governing the conduct of research.
• Maintain and update the various manuals, as needed, related to the various safety procedures, including: personal training, general lab management, handling, housing, storage, and transporting hazardous chemicals, occupational health and bio-security, emergency preparedness and response plan for lab animals, research medical waste management plan, chemical hygiene plan, and institutional blood borne pathogen regulations and occupational safety standards.
• Reports any significant problems, any significant research-related accidents or illnesses, or violations of the NIH Guidelines to the Principal Investigator, the Research Operation Advisory Committee, and the Vice Provost for Research Operations.
• Manages, communicates, and maintains appropriate quality control systems to inspect, monitor, and manage all chemical and biological hazardous materials, working closely with building manager, project managers, laboratory personnel, and contractors as needed.
• Identifies, documents, and corrects any unsafe chemical and biological storage, or Inspects damaged and malfunctioning equipment during all chemical and biological safety inspections and audits.
• Conducts chemical and biological inspections, risk assessments, and inquiries, including investigating all lab-related chemical and biological material use, storage, or disposal complaints.
• Provides necessary chemical, biological, and laboratory safety training to students, staff, and faculty members as necessary or as requested.
• Follows established University policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.
• Responds to laboratory and facility emergencies; conducts incident investigations, conducts laboratory assessments, and provides incident reports; develops and implements corrective action measures as needed. Coordinates efforts related to the University emergency notification system. Manages and directs the biomedical waste disposal and maintains the associated record-keeping.

Qualifications/Requirements:

EDUCATION:

• Regionally accredited Bachelor's in the field of occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational safety, or chemistry. 

CERTIFICATIONS:

• OSHA or Certified Industrial Hygienists.

EXPERIENCE:

• 2-3 years of relevant compliance with federal, state, and local regulations experience.

 

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITY:

• Knowledge of environmental regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Physical fitness is required to inspect various work areas.
• Knowledge of safety programs focused on radiation, chemical, and waste hazards
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations for occupational/environmental/biological safety
• Experience in organizing and writing reports and p