Details
Posted: 14-Jun-22
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Salary: Open
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Salary/Grade: EXS/8
Job Summary:
The Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Lead supervises, interprets, develops, implements, and maintains applicable environmental health and safety standards, systems, and processes with a focus on confined spaces, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), fall protection, mobile elevated work platforms, contractor safety, incident investigations, hot work, and material handling equipment. Provides health and safety guidance, consultation, and training to the Northwestern University community. This position will support Northwestern’s Chicago and Evanston campuses and will require working during the day, evening, weekdays, and weekends when necessary.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Supervises, develops, and implements environmental and occupational health and safety programs, procedures, and training in assigned area of specialization such as confined spaces, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), fall protection, mobile elevated work platforms, contractor safety, incident investigations, hot work, and material handling equipment. Supervises various projects to support EHS initiatives and programs through development of project plans, workflows, processes, timelines, presentations, and implementation. Monitors current and emerging local, state, and federal environmental and occupational health and safety requirements to ensure the University is compliant.
- Integrates regulatory requirements and best practices with results from safety inspections, incident investigations, exposure assessments, and observations into programmatic actions.
- Provides leadership, coaching, and technical and regulatory guidance to subordinates.
- Advises the University community regarding health and safety protocols, procedures, and regulatory compliance; partners with departments, faculty, and staff to correct non-compliance issues, including follow-up corrective actions
- Evaluates work areas and practices and works with various internal customers to develop safe work practices and procedures to promote a safe work environment to reduce potential injuries and illnesses.
- Trains faculty, staff, and students in various environmental and occupational health and safety programs including confined spaces, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), fall protection, mobile elevated work platforms, material handling equipment, or customized training for unique hazardous operations.
- Partners with Facilities and other stakeholders to review project plans, including new and remodeling projects, for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; provides technical and regulatory guidance and interpretation.
- Responds, investigates, and documents incidents and emergencies and facilitates necessary follow-up and action items.
- Maintains safety and health recordkeeping systems such as safety inspections/observations and injury and illness records.
- Works public assembly events (e.g., football, graduations, and other types of events) that take place during the week, evenings, or weekends for the purpose of assuring that applicable fire/life safety requirements are observed and enforced. Performs life safety duties and inspections before, during, and after events
Miscellaneous
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- 3 years of relevant work experience in the safety profession or one of its specialties, including:
- Maintaining recordkeeping systems
- Developing and conducting training in various EHS topics
- Conducting inspections, incident investigations, and audits
- Recognizing hazards
- Participating in and leading emergency response
- Addressing employee environmental health and safety concerns
- Implementing environmental health and safety programs and measures
- Preparing technical reports
- Performing environmental and occupational sampling and monitoring
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
- Thorough knowledge of OSHA, ANSI, and other standards applicable to environmental and occupational health and safety
- Knowledge of confined spaces, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), fall protection, mobile elevated work platforms, hot work, and material handling equipment programs
- Ability to work with people of all ages and diverse constituencies
- Ability to diplomatically explain and interpret environmental health and safety principles
- Ability to manage multiple projects
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Excellent computer skills
- Strong training and interpersonal skills
- Exhibits a positive attitude; personal integrity and responsibility
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Safety, Occupational Safety and Health, or related field, from an accredited college or university
- 5 years or more of relevant work experience in the safety profession or one of its specialties
- ASP, SMS, CSP, or other related certification, or desire to obtain certification.
- OSHA-10 Hour General Industry Authorized Trainer
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.
Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.
Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.
Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
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