Laboratory Health and Safety Lead

ICF is seeking a Laboratory Health and Safety Lead to support an EPA contract, Environmental Services Assistance Team (ESAT) in Denver, CO, location is a federal government lab.

The team performs soil, water, air, waste, and biota sampling and analysis for chemical contaminants primarily supporting Superfund site assessment, remediation, and emergency response but also for compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Additional support provided by the team includes field sampling and analysis, biological support, risk assessment, sample receipt and tracking, maintenance and monitoring of laboratory support equipment, chemical and supply inventory, environmental compliance activities, warehouse support, and analytical subcontracting.

Job Description

The Laboratory Health and Safety Lead will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive environmental health and safety (EHS) programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including those from the EPA and OSHA. This role is critical for safeguarding personnel, protecting the environment, and preventing disruptions to government operations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Program Management: Develop, administer, and update EHS programs, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to chemical safety, biological safety, hazardous waste, and emergency response.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the laboratory adheres to all applicable regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DOT) and maintain necessary facility permits, licenses, and documentation for audits and inspections.
• Risk Assessment and Incident Investigation: Conduct routine safety audits and inspections to identify potential hazards (chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, fire, etc.), recommend corrective actions, and investigate any incidents, accidents, or near-misses to determine root causes and prevent recurrence.
• Training and Education: Design, develop, and deliver required safety training programs to laboratory personnel, principal investigators, and staff, promoting a strong safety culture and awareness.
• Hazardous Materials and Waste Management: Oversee the safe procurement, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous, universal, and biological waste, coordinating with disposal contractors and maintaining proper documentation.
• Emergency Response: Coordinate emergency response plans, lead the emergency response team (which may include 24/7 on-call availability), and conduct regular drills in coordination with local emergency responders.
• Equipment Oversight: Coordinate the testing, certification, maintenance, and repair of safety equipment and engineering controls like fume hoods, safety showers, eyewashes, and biological safety cabinets.
• Liaison and Consultation: Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between laboratory personnel, management, and external regulatory agencies for EHS issues. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Physical Sciences
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in managing health and safety programs within a laboratory or research setting
• OR High School with a minimum of 8 years of experience in an environmental laboratory
• Demonstrated working knowledge of analytical laboratory operations, logistics, hazardous waste managment and business related software such as Microsoft Office.
• OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state EHS regulations (OSHA, EPA, RCRA, DOT) and the ability to interpret and apply them in a dynamic laboratory environment.
• US citizenship is required per federal contract requirements.
• Must be able to pass an EPA background check to obtain access to US federal property

Preferred Qualifications

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Training strongly preferred
• Professional certifications such as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) are highly valued.

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