College Safety Officer (5196U), College of Chemistry - #77597

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Departmental Overview

The College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley is a large research-intensive academic unit on the Berkeley Campus and is internationally recognized for unparalleled educational and research excellence. It is one of three unique institutions in the nation maintaining combined Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Departments. The College consistently receives the highest rankings from the US National Research Council for both its chemistry and chemical engineering doctoral programs, and provides instruction to over 50% of all Berkeley undergraduate students comprising all majors. Approximately 80% of the College's facilities are comprised of advanced technical research and instructional laboratories, including high-level bio-safety facilities and prototype laboratories supporting cutting edge research.

The College Safety Officer reports to the Senior Assistant Dean for Facilities Operations and Research Safety, who reports directly to the Dean of the College of Chemistry. The Facilities Operations and Research Safety unit in the College of Chemistry is comprised of Building Management, Research Safety, and the College Shops. The College Safety Officer is responsible for the management of lab safety, building safety and emergency preparedness, shop safety, and strategic planning and policy development.

With some supervision and in collaboration with the College Building Management group and other Campus stakeholders, the College Safety Officer will direct the creation/implementation of new safety programs across the College of Chemistry. Programs will be building-specific and will include lab safety programs and committees, general building safety committees, and emergency preparedness safety teams. In addition to establishing key safety programs in each building and ensuring those programs are run successfully, other responsibilities of the College Safety Officer include coordination with regulatory agencies, campus stakeholders, Campus EH&S, Campus Facilities Services, and Campus Capital Projects on lab specific design, strategic planning for future research, ergonomic reviews, contract negotiations, and after hours response in emergency situations.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: April 24, 2025

Responsibilities

LAB SAFETY

• Serve as the Department Safety Coordinator to coordinate, implement, and document the College's lab safety program.
• Maintain emergency contact information for PIs, lab managers, and lab safety officers for all labs, ensuring readiness for any emergency.
• Lead the College's Laboratory Safety Contact Committee composed of lab managers, lab safety officers, and Campus partners.
• Collaborate with Campus EH&S to prepare for these bi-annual committee meetings.
• With the College's Building Management group, co-chair lab safety meetings at least bi-annually.
• In coordination with multiple campus stakeholders including Campus EH&S, ensure lab safety compliance.
• Ensure documented SOPs, documented training records, updated chemical inventories and door signs, presence of appropriate PPE, and functionality of facilities life safety and lab safety systems/equipment.
• Participate in Campus EH&S and regulatory agency inspections and respond to any action items or communications.
• Establish communication/coordination plans and provide high-level response coordination for site emergencies like chemical spills, biological or radiological exposure, and lab accidents and injuries.
• Coordinate periodic safety equipment assessments and certifications (biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, emergency eyewashes, fire extinguishers).
• Coordinate repair work with Campus Facilities Services, particularly if it pertains to critical lab infrastructure.
• Ensure timely resolution of issues to maintain safety and functionality.
• Foster a culture of proactive lab safety awareness and incident prevention among lab personnel.
• Conduct regular safety training sessions and communicate best practices and protocols.

BUILDING SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Serve as the Department Safety Coordinator to coordinate, implement, and document the College's building safety and emergency preparedness program.
• In coordination with building managers, help establish and maintain general safety committees for the College.
• Maintain a list of the College's Emergency Response Team Leaders, Emergency Action Directors, and Floor Safety Monitors.
• Update and maintain Building Emergency Plans and Injury and Illness Prevention Plans for each building.
• Ensure all occupants are familiar with emergency procedures and safety protocols.
• Conduct thorough investigations and documentation of any injuries or accidents that occur within each building.
• Work closely with the building safety committee and building manager to identify root causes and implement preventative measures to improve general safety.
• Coordinate annual fire drills in collaboration with the Campus Fire Marshal's office.
• Assess emergency preparedness and response effectiveness.
• Conduct annual inspections of safety supplies and equipment, including defibrillators, evacuation chairs, mobile radios, PPE for volunteers, and disaster preparedness resources.
• Ensure safety supplies and equipment are functional and accessible.
• Participate in building safety inspections for fire-life safety and respond to any action items or communications.
• Participate in Campus-wide disaster preparedness planning and drills.
• Foster a culture of proactive safety awareness and incident prevention among building occupants.
• Conduct regular safety training sessions and communicate proactively.
• Establish communication/coordination plans and provide high-level response coordination for site emergencies like natural disasters and threats to public safety.
• Establish a formal relationship with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
• Establish a presence within the Emergency Operations Center Org Chart to ensure emergency response within the College is coordinated at a campus level.

SHOP SAFETY

• Maintain emergency contact information for shop managers and shop key personnel.
• In coordination with Campus EH&S and other campus stakeholders, ensure shop safety compliance.
• Coordinate with the College Shops Manager to conduct regular inspections, including annual self-inspections and bi-annual physical inspections of all shop spaces.
• Establish communication/coordination plans and provide high-level response coordination for shop emergencies.
• Conduct thorough investigations and documentation of any shop-related injuries or incidents.
• Work closely with the College Shops Manager to identify root causes and implement preventive measures to enhance safety measures.
• Foster a culture of proactive safety awareness and incident prevention among shop personnel.
• Conduct regular safety training sessions and communicate best practices and protocols.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT

• In coordination with Campus EH&S and OEM, create guidelines and protocols that promote safe practices within the College.
• Develop framework for employees to follow that will help prevent accidents and injuries.
• Analyze gaps in lab safety, building safety, and emergency preparedness programs within the College.
• Develop a long-term strategic plan to move the College toward a position of correcting these deficiencies.

Required Qualifications

• Broad knowledge and understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated advanced experience and skill in interpreting and applying local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
• Advanced analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize, and manage the workload within time and resource constraints.
• Skills to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Thorough written and verbal communication skills; effective facilitation, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills; and political acumen to communicate workplace hazard mitigation to a diverse audience.
• Working knowledge of application of environmental, health, and safety regulations relevant to UC Berkeley facilities and research activities.
  • 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, and Water Quality Protection.
• Prior research or professional safety experience and familiarity with academic organizational and research environments.
• Ability to use the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification preferred.

Salary & 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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $120,000.00 - $130,000.00. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time, Career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This is an on-site position at the University of California, Berkeley.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

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.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure

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

Other Information

This is not a visa opportunity.

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.