Assistant Chemical Hygiene Officer & Lab Safety Specialist (7146U) - #75911

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.

For more information, visit http://ehs.berkeley.edu.

Position Summary

The Assistant Chemical Hygiene Officer (aCHO) will support the Chemical Hygiene Officer's efforts to ensure campus compliance with federal and state laws relating to laboratory safety and health and will provide technical guidance in the implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. As a Lab Safety Specialist, the emphasis of the job is to monitor compliance by conducting initial and follow-up on-site inspections of laboratory research facilities, with particular focus on the College of Chemistry. The position supports the campus comprehensive chemical safety program that includes various administrative, and technical health and safety components.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/11/2025. This position is open until filled.

Responsibilities

Monitors compliance by conducting routine initial and follow-up on-site inspections in lab facilities of campus Principal Investigators (PIs). Provides on-site consultation to Principal Investigators, Laboratory Managers, and other laboratory personnel on specific issues of concern relating to EH&S programs.

• Organizes, schedules, and conducts inspections: Interacting with department, laboratory, and shop personnel.
• Establishes necessary corrective actions and procedural changes with laboratory personnel, including Principal Investigators in addressing environment, health, and safety deficiencies.
• When appropriate, assists campus departments in correcting environmental, health and safety non-compliance issues (e.g. chemical storage, hazardous waste fume hood use, earthquake safety securing, chemical inventory, chemical hygiene plans, electrical/energy safety).
• Uses various tracking tools and systems to assure timely reporting of inspection results, and resolution of any findings.
• Notifies appropriate faculty and department safety personnel of inspection results and planned risk reduction activities.
• Independently interprets regulations and campus policies to provide guidance and direction.
• Fully implements the Enforcement of Safety Standards in Academic Environments policy.
• Works closely with research groups to develop, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Mentor, train and collaborate with other EHS Specialists/Technicians to support overall research safety program and inspections.

Supports the UCB Chemical Hygiene Program. Provides technical guidance in the development and implementation of UCB's Chemical Hygiene Plan.

• Assists the college of chemistry in developing and implementing written chemical safety programs. Advises on applicable Cal/OSHA regulations, SOPs, use of proper PPE to minimize chemical exposure, proper chemical storage practices, chemical labeling requirements, etc., and is charged with protecting the health and safety of the campus community from chemical hazards.
• If assigned, reviews and oversees evaluations of hazardous chemical orders on campus.

Provides safety consultation and workplace hazard assessment based on need by campus clients; investigates incidents, complaints, and assists with follow-up action items.

• Consults with researchers in their labs, and involves EH&S SMEs as needed to reduce hazards and support safer research operations.
• Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures.
• Adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environment.
• May provide support to other EHS programs, including Respiratory Protection Program and any others per business needs.

Ensures implementation of appropriate procedures according to all Chemical Safety regulations.

• Recommends engineering controls, personal practice, administrative controls, and/or personal protective equipment to eliminate or mitigate present or potential health or safety problems from chemicals.
• Performs workplace evaluations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Implements PPE/Hazard Assessment Tool.
• Assigns personal protective equipment.
• Specifies proper engineering controls and PPE.
• Provides training.
• Participates in work groups with other campus departments to address specific chemical health- or safety-related issues.

Develops and maintains written guidance documents to provide information and assists the University and community to work with hazardous chemicals in a healthy and safe manner.

• Writes technical reports detailing causative factors of laboratory accidents and establishing corrective measures.
• Writes technical reports and procedures relating to laboratory safety.
• Reviews safety plans and specifications for contractor activities.
• Writes reports summarizing hazards associated with laboratory construction/renovation projects and recommended corrective actions.
• Maintains files and records for the above. Prepares reports or other forms of scientific or technical documentation.
• Inspects, investigates incidents and complaints, and recommends corrective action as needed.
• Generates standard operating procedures (SOP), job safety analysis (JSA), and other documentation based on safety program requirements and client needs, including use of relevant scientific data.

Within specific field:

• Maintains knowledge/expertise on existing/proposed changes in all regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws, regulations, codes and standards, including making recommendations for work environment changes based on interpretations and principles of professional practices.
• Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any training necessary per role.

Staff development: Works on professional committees and assignments, participates in professional training and attends relevant conferences, and/or is mentored or coached on a formal or informal basis.

Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to:

• Member of Designated Urgent Response Team: Regular rotation, 24/7, up to every 6- 8 weeks or more frequently as needed.
• Provide technical support to the Dedicated Urgent Response Team (DURT) program by serving as a "Designated Responder". Must be accessible via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during business hours. Will perform directly or coordinate any necessary field activities to evaluate and mitigate a hazard.
• Provide technical support to the DURT program by serving as the "Lead Off-Hours Responder". Must be accessible by UCPD via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during non-business hours.
• Must be within one hour of campus and may not engage in activity that will affect the ability to respond.
• To serve as a designated responder, incumbent must meet the specific requirements of the program as outlined in the EH&S DURT Program Guidelines. These include occupational physical qualifications. Medical baseline is required.

At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Administration/Research, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), serve in a designate role within the EH&S Emergency Support Function and be on call to the campus Emergency Operations Center in a campus designated disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release. Provide appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.

Required Qualifications

• General knowledge/understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations; and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields.
• Experience and knowledge in interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
• Thorough written, and verbal communication skills, effective facilitation, interpersonal, conflict resolution skills, and political acumen to communicate workplace hazard mitigation to a diverse audience.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time and budget constraints.
• Skills to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior research or professional safety experience, and familiarity with academic organizational and research environments
• Working knowledge of and/or can quickly learn application of environmental, health, and safety regulations relevant to UC Berkeley facilities and research activities.
• Advanced degree in Chemistry and/or equivalent experience/training.

Governing Laws and Regulations

Incumbent's responsibilities are guided by a significant number of federal, State, and local laws and regulations as well as campus policy. There are municipal, regional, county, State, and federal regulators that have jurisdiction, often overlapping, over those campus programs and activities being audited. The following environmental, health and safety subject areas each have multiple laws and regulations that may apply to UC Berkeley:

• Worker Health and Safety
• Hazardous Materials/Waste Management
• Air Quality Management
• Water Quality Protection

Specific laws and regulations are too numerous to list.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly at an annual rate and is eligible for UC Benefits.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $80,400.00 - $112,900.00 commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

• Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.