Chemical Safety Officer

at  George Washington University

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The George Washington University (GW) is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment within all GW facilities. GW maintains compliance with applicable standards, laws and regulations with the collaboration between and expertise of everyone within the GW community.
Reporting to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) with daily coordination and support to the Office of Research Safety (ORS) and Office of the Vice Provost for Research, and the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance (ORIC).
The Chemical Safety Officer (CSO) will be responsible for ensuring that: all GW laboratory/research spaces and animal care facilities are safe from hazards and functioning in accordance with GW’s Chemical Hygiene Plan and safety policy; and the institution is compliant with all relevant health and safety regulations, rules, requirements, and standards. The incumbent will achieve this through: routine inspections of all GW laboratory/research spaces and animal care facilities; abatement of identified hazards; review and maintenance of GW’s Chemical Hygiene Plan; training of the GW research community and support personnel; and notice to appropriate institutional leadership regarding changes in all relevant regulations, rules, requirements, and standards, as well as associated risks and related needs.

Specifically, the position will perform the following duties in this role:

• Develop a schedule for and accordingly conduct routine periodic inspections of all GW laboratory/research spaces and animal care facilities to: identify any hazards that may pose a risk to life or safety; identify any other conditions that are not aligned with GW’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, and/or any other relevant health and safety regulations, rules, requirements, and standards; and provide a report of all findings to appropriate management within EHS,
• Perform such inspections and assessments of any reported concerns regarding potential hazards or risks to EHS management.
• Immediately take all necessary steps to abate any identified hazards and advise on the steps necessary to address related risks.
• Review and evaluate all existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to GW’s Chemical Hygiene Plan and, as needed, advise on any modifications or developments of accompanying documents, processes, or other resources necessary for the handling of hazardous chemicals/materials and/or regulated substances and the provision of appropriate warnings and risk mitigation techniques.
• Assess and monitor for potentially hazardous biologic, chemical and physical agents in all facilities or where the possibility of exceeding permissible exposure limits exists.
• Attend regulatory committee meetings (e.g. IACUC, IBC) to provide guidance and expertise to the committee related to protocols that require input regarding the appropriate use of chemicals and/or hazardous and/or regulated substances.
• Develop, manage and conduct training and provide technical guidance and relevant requirements for all students, faculty and staff who work in a laboratory setting.
• Provide technical expertise to assist in: addressing any incidents, events, or injuries related to the handling of hazardous chemicals/materials and/or regulated substances, including but not limited to guidance on any necessary care, remedies, or abatements; and investigating the circumstances which led to the incident, event, or injury and providing a report of all findings to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
• Inform appropriate management within EHS of any gaps in existing processes or procedures, resource or infrastructure-related needs (particularly with regard to any changes in relevant regulations, rules, requirements, or standards), or recommendations regarding additional monitoring and oversight based on the outcome of any of the aforementioned inspections.
• Provide technical expertise in the review of any safety controls and practices to be implemented or operationalized and/or personal protective equipment to be selected or utilized.
• Maintain auditable records of all relevant documents pertaining to the position’s area of oversight;
• Maintain and utilize working knowledge of all relevant health and safety regulations, rules, requirements, and standards.
• Utilize expertise as necessary and appropriate within areas of responsibility.

Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/POSTING SPECIFIC MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree in the sciences or advanced training in chemical hygiene and safety preferred.
• Five-to seven years of directly related professional experience in laboratory safety specifically within a higher education, nonprofit, or academic setting is desired.
• Relevant safety, hazardous materials or other research related certifications (e.g., Chemical Hygiene Officer certification from the National Registry of Certified Chemists) is desired.
• Ability to communicate and produce written material at and for various levels of the institution is desired.
• Ability to perform effective safety inspections and ensure compliance with all applicable safety standards.
• Knowledge of use, storage, transport, disposal, and emergency response of hazardous materials.
• Good working knowledge of the areas of laboratory safety generally and chemical safety specifically, including all applicable regulatory frameworks and standards is preferred.
• Excellent chemical safety technical credentials preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in the appropriate documentation of laboratory inspections, related reports, and associated recommendations is desired.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze, summarize, and effectively present information in both summary and in-depth forms.
• Ability to use discretion and independent judgment to manage, protect and impart confidential information in a secure manner.
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to set appropriate priorities between multiple concurrent tasks.
• Strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, as well as diplomacy and a high level of professionalism.
• Ability to develop and provide effective training programs for diverse audiences
• Ability to work well under pressure when necessary.
• Ability to perform complex as well as routine tasks.
• Consistent monitoring of the regulatory landscape to ensure compliance with evolving local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations, as well as any standards of relevant accreditation bodies, analyzing potential effects on the institution is desired.
• Strong computer skills, with a particular emphasis on the ability to draft reports (with requisite supporting material) and maintain related records and correspondence with appropriate level of security. preferred

• Develop a schedule for and accordingly conduct routine periodic inspections of all GW laboratory/research spaces and animal care facilities to: identify any hazards that may pose a risk to life or safety; identify any other conditions that are not aligned with GW’s Chemical Hygiene Plan, and/or any other relevant health and safety regulations, rules, requirements, and standards; and provide a report of all findings to appropriate management within EHS,
• Perform such inspections and assessments of any reported concerns regarding potential hazards or risks to EHS management.
• Immediately take all necessary steps to abate any identified hazards and advise on the steps necessary to address related risks.
• Review and evaluate all existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to GW’s Chemical Hygiene Plan and, as needed, advise on any modifications or developments of accompanying documents, processes, or other resources necessary for the handling of hazardous chemicals/materials and/or regulated substances and the provision of appropriate warnings and risk mitigation techniques.
• Assess and monitor for potentially hazardous biologic, chemical and physical agents in all facilities or where the possibility of exceeding permissible exposure limits exists.
• Attend regulatory committee meetings (e.g. IACUC, IBC) to provide guidance and expertise to the committee related to protocols that require input regarding the appropriate use of chemicals and/or hazardous and/or regulated substances.
• Develop, manage and conduct training and provide technical guidance and relevant requirements for all students, faculty and staff who work in a laboratory setting.
• Provide technical expertise to assist in: addressing any incidents, events, or injuries related to the handling of hazardous chemicals/materials and/or regulated substances, including but not limited to guidance on any necessary care, remedies, or abatements; and investigating the circumstances which led to the incident, event, or injury and providing a report of all findings to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety.
• Inform appropriate management within EHS of any gaps in existing processes or procedures, resource or infrastructure-related needs (particularly with regard to any changes in relevant regulations, rules, requirements, or standards), or recommendations regarding additional monitoring and oversight based on the outcome of any of the aforementioned inspections.
• Provide technical expertise in the review of any safety controls and practices to be implemented or operationalized and/or personal protective equipment to be selected or utilized.
• Maintain auditable records of all relevant documents pertaining to the position’s area of oversight;
• Maintain and utilize working knowledge of all relevant health and safety regulations, rules, requirements, and standards.
• Utilize expertise as necessary and appropriate within areas of responsibility