Position Title:
Laboratory Safety Manager
Position Type:
Regular
Salary Range:
$96,600-$130,600; commensurate with experience
Pay Frequency:
Annual
LABORATORY SAFETY MANAGER
Reporting to the Sr. Director of EHS and Sustainability and providing support to all Santa Clara University (SCU) laboratory environments, the Laboratory Safety Manager is responsible for the management, compliance, direction and oversight of all laboratory safety programs. The position collaborates closely with campus laboratory support staff to lead the academic community in developing and maintaining consistent programs, policies, tools and resources to identify, assess and control laboratory hazards and risks in research, teaching and laboratory support facilities.
This position manages the technical and complex programs that support SCU's laboratory research and teaching activities. It oversees the EHS Department's health and safety programs in the areas of biosafety, radiation safety, laboratory chemical and physical hazard safety and other applicable occupational safety and health programs in laboratory and research environments. This position will actively participate and lead EHS Department efforts to advance a strong laboratory safety culture across all SCU laboratory disciplines while incorporating campus EHS strategic initiatives into laboratory operations.
This position ensures EHS compliance with institutional safety committees, including the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), Animal Care and Use (IACUC) and Human Subjects. It provides timely and appropriate input and approvals to proposed and awarded research grants. It reviews research protocols, applying industrial hygiene practices to identify hazards and control strategies to support faculty and staff in assessing risk and mitigating hazards.
It will serve as the SCU Biological Safety Officer, Chemical Hygiene Officer and Radiation Safety Officer. It ensures EHS regulatory compliance requirements associated with research involving animals, biological, chemical, radiological and physical hazards are met. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory agencies and serving as the primary liaison with Cal/OSHA, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CA Radiological Health Branch, US DOT, US Drug Enforcement Agency, CA Department of Toxic Substances Control, Santa Clara Fire Department and other compliance agencies.
This position provides SCUs laboratory units with integrated lab safety programs and services that are efficient and effective. It provides technical assistance, inspections, training and consultation needed to help all laboratory units achieve regulatory compliance while fostering a culture of safety. It designs, develops and oversees the implementation of the overall activities of laboratory and research safety programs. It manages projects related to the implementation of controls for hazard reduction in all teaching, research and project activities. It works with SCU EHS team members and laboratory support staff to ensure environmental compliance requirements, hazardous waste and hazardous material related permits, fees, licenses, regulatory reports and filings related to laboratory operations are maintained.
It supports data gathering and conducts data analysis for performance monitoring of lab safety programs to ensure organizational efficiency and desired outcomes are met. It provides routine updates to the EHS Director and academic leadership on STEM EHS compliance and lab safety program status.
It develops compliance tools and training materials for laboratories and administers a safety learning management system to identify, assign, deliver and track laboratory safety training requirements for faculty, staff and students.
It manages the laboratory inspection program including conducting laboratory inspections and corrective action processes.
It provides technical assistance and response for laboratory emergencies and participates in SCU's Emergency Operations Center as required.
It collaborates closely with EHS team members to ensure environmental compliance requirements, hazardous waste and hazardous material related permits, fees, licenses, regulatory reports and filings related to laboratory operations are maintained
Abilities and Qualifications
Minimum 8-10 years of laboratory safety work experience preferably in research environments
Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree in science or engineering or related field. advanced degree preferred
Board Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Biosafety Professional (CBP) preferred
Thorough understanding and knowledge of laboratory safety regulations. Ability to interpret, apply and assess compliance for numerous complex and technical regulations for laboratories.
Experience managing biosafety and chemical management programs including serving as Biological Safety Officer and Chemical Hygiene Officer.
Experience managing radiation safety programs including unsealed radioactive materials, X-Ray producing machines, lasers and serving as Radiation Safety Officer and being the primary interface with the CA Radiologic Health Branch and radiation safety consultants.
Strong understanding of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk communication.
Experience conducting laboratory inspections, risk assessments and leading regulatory compliance audits.
Demonstrated ability to provide judgment, innovation and advanced technical expertise in applying regulations and best practices to a diverse collection of research, teaching and project spaces.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively articulate verbally and in writing with diverse audiences including faculty, staff, students, visitors, parents, regulatory agencies, University department leaders and administrators.
Ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative and professional relationships with academic research and laboratory personnel while actively promoting a culture of safety including the implementation and enforcement of SCU laboratory safety requirements.
Ability to prepare, update and draft policies, procedures and guidelines and training content for laboratory safety practices. Comfortable with conducting in-person laboratory safety training sessions with faculty, staff and students and managing online training and web-based laboratory safety related content.
Ability to wear PPE appropriate for laboratory environments and comfortable working in spaces with chemical, biological and radiological hazards.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal
Considerable time in locations with chemical, biological and radiological hazards
Required to regularly walk to other buildings on the campus
Required to travel to off campus locations on occasion
Have proficiency and experience with computers and software systems. Knowledge of office and industry software applications.
Must have auditory acuity with ability to hear audible alarms
Ability to climb stairs and ladders
Able to wear PPE including N95 respirators, safety eyewear, gloves, laboratory and cleanroom garments
Infrequently respond to events and incidents outside of normal business hours
Able to respond in person to campus in under 1 hour
Must have a valid California driver's license
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Typical office environment with windows, frequent interruptions and multiple conversations occurring in the area
Significant time spent in campus laboratories wearing PPE
Significant time spent in campus environments containing hazardous materials and wastes including chemical, biological and radiological
EEO Statement
​ Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination
Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University's equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. The Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is Jenna Elliott, Interim Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 408-551-3043, jrelliot@scu.edu , www.scu.edu/title-ix . Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Clery Notice of Availability
Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Santa Clara University affirms its' commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources , and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu .
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