EH&S Program Manager

About the Opportunity

The EH&S Program Manager (EHS Manager) for the Roux Institute reports directly to the Associate Vice Provost for Education and Research Safety (AVPERS) The AVPERS will provide guidance and oversight to the position in support of EHS compliance requirements to be met based on operations at applicable locations. This position will also have a dotted line reporting structure to the Senior Vice Provost for the Roux Institute to ensure day to day EHS compliance activities are supported and the EHS Program Manager is aware of operational changes that impact EHS program as operations expand.

The EHS Manager is tasked with managing the overall safety and environmental compliance program as the leader of the EH&S program for the Roux and other Maine locations including but not limited to activities at the Northeastern Brunswick Landing location. In addition to the duties listed below, this position will also function as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for applicable Maine locations as well as coordinate EHS compliance activities with Northeastern departments outside of the Provost’s Office to include but not be limited to the Office of Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety and the Office of Emergency Management. This position is a full time, onsite position that is expected to travel between Maine locations in which Northeastern stakeholders have a presence.

Applicable Program Areas/Responsibilities

• Manage the laboratory safety program and compliance activities associated with chemicals, radioactive materials, radiation producing equipment, biological materials, high risk equipment, and laboratory processes.
• Provide safety and EHS regulatory compliance support for non-laboratory spaces.
• Identify EH&S training needs and requirements. Develop and assign required training. Track completion of training and in conjunction with applicable college leadership, address personnel who have failed to complete assigned training.
• Manage regulated waste as required by federal, state, and local regulations to include but not limited to chemicals, controlled substances, biological, radioactive, and universal wastes across all campus locations including labs, athletic facilities, and other operational locations.
• Perform safety audits of labs and other applicable locations, develop, and distribute a report of findings, development abatement strategy in conjunction with stakeholders, and track corrective action progress through completion.
• Oversee the development and implement emergency action plans and contribute to emergency response efforts that are associated with research space operations, as needed.
• Maintain records as well as prepare and submit all required reports and documents as mandated by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Perform incident investigations, report findings, advise on steps to reduce recurrence, and track corrective action progress through completion.
• Monitor safety and compliance in all “Maker Spaces” and other locations were metal working, wood working, and other industrial activities occur.
• Assist with the maintenance of operational permits for air and water discharges, waste disposal, and other regulated programs associated with facility operations, as needed.
• Responsible for the fire safety program and fire code compliance in all areas, as is needed.
• Be a resource for University officials regarding issues of public health.
• Meet regularly and coordinate compliance activities with applicable EH&S personnel at Northeastern Boston with responsibility for global EHS compliance review and tracking.
• Hire, mentor, evaluate, and supervise staff, as needed.
• Effective and fiscally responsible budget management.
• Represent Northeastern University as the resident EH&S focal point for Maine operations with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Stay current on safety and environmental technical and regulatory issues associated with current activities and in advance of new activities associated with university growth.

Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the physical sciences, life sciences, environmental science, engineering, applied health science or other applicable degree.

Preferred: Master’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the physical sciences, life sciences, environmental science, engineering, applied health science or other applicable degree.

Required 5-7 years’ demonstrated EHS regulatory experience working in an academic (preferred) or private research environment with increasing responsibility for developing and implementing EHS compliance programs at the institutional level.

Demonstrated experience with laboratory activities and the safe use of hazardous materials, equipment, and process. Preferred experience with R1 academic research activities and institutions.

Knowledge of engineering process safety controls utilized to reduce risk in laboratories and other high-risk settings.

Proficient with the use of standard computer software packages including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook) in performing work assignments and collaborating with colleagues.

Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as BlackBoard, Canvas, or other risk management platform (such as SciShield) used to manage safety training and other safety program management needs.

Excellent communication, coordination, and customer service skills. Excellent time and project management skills, including planning, prioritizing, and scheduling multiple ongoing projects including the ability to delegate to direct reports.

Be medically qualified to wear respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment as well as lift to 50 lbs.

Work in a variety of physical environments where hazardous materials or equipment are in storage or use.Preferred Credentials: Certified Hazardous Material Manager, Certified Industrial Hygienist, or Certified Safety Professional, other applicable professional certification considered.

Key Responsibilities:

Safety Program Management (35%)

• Manage the laboratory safety program and compliance activities associated with chemicals, radioactive materials, radiation producing equipment, biological materials, high risk equipment, and laboratory processes.
• Provide safety and compliance support for non-laboratory spaces including but not limited to makerspaces, workshops, engineering bays, etc.
• Continuous evaluation of new projects and location expansion to ensure EHS programs are developed and implemented in step with program growth at applicable locations. This includes the development and implementation of a Chemical Hygiene Plan that is applicable to operations at the Roux and Brunswick Landing.
• Identify safety training needs and requirements. Develop and assign required training. Track completion of training and in conjunction with applicable college leadership, address personnel who have failed to complete assigned training.
• Audit labs and other applicable locations and communicate findings to stakeholders. Track correction of identified issues.
• Be a resource for Maine campus leadership regarding issues of public health.

Environmental Program Management (35%)

• Manage regulated waste as required by federal, state, and local regulations to include but not limited to chemicals, controlled substances, biological, radioactive, and universal wastes across all campus locations including labs, athletic facilities, and other operational locations.
• Identify waste management training needs and requirements. Develop and assign required training. Track completion of training and in conjunction with applicable college leadership, address personnel who have failed to complete assigned training.
• Audit waste management practices and communicate findings to stakeholders. Track correction of identified issues.
• In conjunction with Northeastern Boston, assist with the maintenance of operational permits for air and water discharges, waste disposal, and other regulated programs associated with facility operations, as needed.
• In conjunction with Northeastern Boston, assist with fire safety and fire code compliance in all areas, as needed.
• In conjunction with Northeastern Boston, complete and file all applicable regulatory reports with federal, state, and local officials as standards mandate.

Emergency Preparedness and Coordination (10%)

• Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans at applicable locations in collaboration with Boston stakeholders.
• Participate in the emergency response should an incident involving hazardous materials occur. Be prepared to be on-call for emergency assistance during non-office hours.
• Perform incident investigations, report findings, advise on implementing processes to reduce recurrence, and track corrective action progress through completion.

Other Duties (20%)

• Develop a process to communicate EHS Policies and Procedures regularly and effectively to stakeholders.
• Maintain records as well as prepare and submit all required reports and documents as required by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Meet regularly and coordinate compliance activities with applicable EH&S personnel at Northeastern Boston with responsibility for global EHS oversight.
• Meet regularly with leaders responsible for operational oversight of the Maine locations to discuss EHS compliance status.
• Support Northeastern University’s overall culture of safety as the focal point for safety at the Roux Institute.
• Hire, mentor, evaluate, and supervise staff
• Manage an operational budget to allow the EH&S program to function effectively for current and expanding operations.
• Represent Maine locations as the resident EH&S focal point with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Stay current on safety and environmental technical and regulatory issues associated with current activities and in advance of new activities associated with university growth.
• Other EHS duties as assigned.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.