Senior Environmental Health and Safety Technician

Senior Environmental Health and Safety Technician
Sr Envrn Health/Safety Tech 4915
AFSCME Unit 7
Revision Date: 10/28/2025

Description of Position
The Senior Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Technician is responsible for performing regulated waste operations and other environmental programs and provides related services to customers. Duties include operations at Thompson Center for Environmental Management (TCEM) and various other hazardous waste storage areas located throughout the University.

Job Duties
60% Regulated Waste Operations:
* Works in operations at the TCEM. Ensures that waste containers are placed in their proper storage locations in the facility. Processes chemical waste in accordance with training and standard operating procedures. Ensures the accurate inventory of hazardous waste at the TCEM. Performs routine maintenance and cleaning activities throughout the facility.
* Participates in the development and review of standard operating procedures.
* Evaluates and determines hazards of unknown chemicals.
* Operates facility equipment, including a forklift in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
* Performs chemical waste pickups from customer locations. Assures that waste is properly packaged and labeled for transportation. Transports hazardous waste system-wide.
* Works independently in a fill in role for the CSDP Coordinator on Chemical Safety Day and System Campuses waste pickups.
* Performs data entry.
* Ensures hazardous waste accumulation sites are equipped with the supplies. Distributes hazardous waste and supplies to waste accumulation sites.
* Assist with training of new employees on all aspects of hazardous waste operations.
20% Customer Support:
* Maintain a professional image to customers by approaching others in a tactful and respectful manner.
* Assists customers with requests related to Health, Safety, and Risk Management (HSRM) related services. Follows up to ensure customer needs are addressed. Communicating with other HSRM groups as necessary to ensure safety and compliance concerns are addressed.
* Assists with laboratory cleanouts ensuring that waste is properly identified and packaged for transportation.
* Takes the lead on laboratory chemical moves ensuring that waste is properly identified and packaged for transportation.
* Participates and support HSRM task forces or committees as assigned.
* Performs miscellaneous technician duties for HSRM as necessary. Works on miscellaneous HSRM related projects as assigned.
15% Compliance Assurance:
* Monitors compliance with hazardous waste regulations at generator locations, communicates noncompliance issues to site contacts and provides solutions.
* Performs weekly inspections for all hazardous waste central accumulation areas.
* Assists with waste determination and the evaluation of wastes for hazards, assigns appropriate waste processing codes.
5 % Chemical Incident and Spill Response Management:
* Responds to and cleans up hazardous materials incidents and spills in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
* Uses sampling instruments to determine if hazardous conditions exist.
* Cleanup/abate incidents wearing proper PPE.

Working Conditions
Primary job sites are waste storage facilities, shop and maintenance areas, laboratories, and offices. The position involves handling chemical, biological, and radioactive materials. These areas are generally engineered to control the hazards but might require the use of personal protective equipment. There may be routine travel involved with this position.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant two-year technical training program or equivalent college level coursework in physical or environmental sciences and a minimum of three years work experience in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and work experience totaling four years may be substituted.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
* Excellent organization skills.
* Knowledge of chemical hazards and chemical properties.
* Ability to successfully complete a 6-month initial training program, which will include obtaining an OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations certification and Department of Transportation certification.
* Knowledge of regulations that apply to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
* Strength to lift 40 pounds on a regular basis and 75 pounds occasionally.
* Able to pass a medical evaluation and be fit tested for a respirator.

Preferred Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering related field
* OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations Certification

Pay Range: $28.59-37.16; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).