The Laboratory Safety Coordinator implements policies and guidelines established by the university and State and Federal governments. They coordinate safety monitoring, compliance, and response activities from Northern Illinois University. This position will serve as the Biosafety Officer, managing the Institutional Biosafety Committee, and the Laboratory Safety Officer, managing the Laboratory Safety Committee. They will lead and/or assist with drafting policies and procedures related to Laboratory Safety. They will administer the laser safety program for the university.

This position is responsible for the coordination, implementation, and development of policies and guidelines for NIU, state and federal agencies as they pertain to laboratory safety and best practices. This position is an integral part of the mission and values for NIU and the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships to promote faculty, staff, and student success by facilitating and celebrating innovative research, scholarship and creative activities.
This position will also assist with inspecting research and teaching laboratories, art studios, and theatre shops to ensure compliance. They will monitor and record safety training for departments and aid departments by developing safety plans and general laboratory safety training. This position will respond to and assist with any investigations into laboratory accidents. They will be co-administrators of the CEMS laboratory management software. They may serve on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee as the Biosafety Officer.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and conducts university laboratory safety training programs.
• Coordinates training using the university's online training database.

• Assists in the planning and development of university health and safety policies.
• Reviews and compiles accident and near miss reporting statistics.
• Provides suggestions for improvements.

• Consults and advises academic departments in development and maintenance of laboratory safety plans.
• Promotes and participates in discussions on safety, health and related matters with supervisors, staff, and faculty.

• Serves as the university's biological safety officer serves on the university's Institutional Biosafety committee.

• Assists hazardous waste removal from academic labs, studios, and shops.
• Ensures proper final disposal with outside waste disposal companies.
• Consults and advises academic departments to ensure the proper handling, and storage and of chemicals in compliance with appropriate state and federal regulations.
• Recommends alternative disposal methods for chemicals and chemicals waste.
• Provides radioactive waste removal from academic labs and ensures proper final disposal with outside waste disposal companies.
• Consults and advises academic departments to ensure the proper handling, and storage and of radioactive waste in compliance with appropriate state and federal regulations.

• Assist with inspection of research and teaching laboratories, art studios and theater shops, to ensure compliance with applicable university polices, state and federal regulations and industry best practices.

• Coordinates with university police & fire departments in responding to laboratory related emergencies.
• Acts as liaison between the university state and federal inspectors.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

1. Bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, environmental engineering, environmental health, safety engineering, industrial hygiene, or a closely related field.
2. Two (2) years (12 months) of professional work experience in a safety or compliance related field.
3. Minimum of three (3) years working in a university setting.
4. Minimum of one (1) year of university laboratory experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

1. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
2. Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
3. Knowledge of environmental health and safety regulations, equipment, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
4. Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
5. Knowledge of uses of chemical and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
6. Skill in verbal and written communication.
7. Skill in instructing/teaching others.
8. Ability to enter, track, analyze databases and develop rational and realistic conclusions based on relevant information to resolve issues brought to his/her attention.
9. Ability to develop and implement new environmental and safety programs.
10. Ability to supervise personnel and/or projects.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)
Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Minimum of five (5) years working in a university setting.
• Minimum of three (3) years of university laboratory experience.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)
Additional Requirements (SPS)
Preferred Qualifications (SPS)
Physical demands/requirements

• Must be able to stand, bend, or move to observe laboratory areas and equipment.
• Must be able to see, smell, and articulate properties that identify laboratory conditions to include equipment, animals, property and space.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 05/01/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Percent of Staff Year 1.00
Standard Hours Per Week 37.50
Working Hours Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Salary $62,000.16 - $70,000.08/annually
Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $2583.34 - $2,916.67/semi-monthly
Earn Type Salary

Application Procedure

1. Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.
   • If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
2. After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.
3. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
4. Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.