Senior Occupational Safety Officer

RTI has an opening for a senior environmental and occupational safety officer in the Environment Practice Area. Social, Statistical, and Environmental Sciences (SSES) is a project-based business unit for Research Triangle Institute (RTI) that conducts basic and applied research, implementation, and technical assistance to governments, foundations, and commercial clients aimed at addressing challenging issues in environment, energy, environmental health, and other key domains.

The successful candidate will serve as an environmental and occupational safety officer to support our large portfolio of laboratory services, contracts, and grants, many of which are funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  This position offers opportunities for developing leadership skills, a position of visibility in a recognized area of importance in the Environment Practice Area, and the chance to impact our organization and projects addressing issues of vital national and international concern.

This position is contingent upon successful award and is based in Research Triangle Park, NC. 

• Provide environmental and occupational safety expertise to teams working in laboratory and office environments in the areas of environmental engineering, environmental science, microbiology, and related disciplines.
• Under minimal direction, provide leadership for biosafety and biosecurity, including efforts involving oversight of select agents;
• Oversee surveillance of research laboratories using chemical and biological material; train laboratory workers and staff on laboratory safety policies; coordinate laboratory waste disposal program; interface with external regulators; provide primary coverage in hazard release response guidance and leadership; provide occasional back-up support for chemical and radioactive materials spill teams.
• Conduct chemical and biological safety laboratory inspections; report deficiencies to management; act as liaison to communicate laboratory safety and security practices to staff.
• Interacts effectively with internal customers and other stakeholders to identify and develop strategies to assess and prioritize risks; and recommends engineering and management controls to provide reduced employee exposure to hazards, to contain environmental issues, and to promote a safe and healthy working environment.
• Drives prevention and risk reduction programs to improve safety and health programs, policies, and procedures; provides technical training and awareness of industry practices and changes relating to health and safety.
• Coordinate the collection, transportation, and disposal of laboratory waste with departments and staff; act as liaison with waste disposal company; performs inspections of biohazard waste accumulation areas; serves as backup for technicians in support of biohazard waste program.
• Serve as a backup for inspections of laboratories with a focus on biosafety. Report and discusses safety issues with management and staff.
• Interface with external regulators, conserve resources especially non-renewable ones, lead recycling efforts, reduce the production of waste and dispose of it safely, and work collaboratively with Researchers and Facilities Engineers to implement cleaner technologies e.g. environment-friendly energy resources.
• Implement current waste minimization plan objectives and develop new ones as necessary.
• Coordinate waste shipments and review of all compliance related paperwork;
• Coordinate special disposal projects throughout the year;
• Serve as point of contact for hazardous waste vendor services contract;
• Prevent and, where possible, reverse environmental degradation.
• Implement all measures of Spill Prevention, Control, & Countermeasures Plan and maintain as required.
• Oversee decontamination of contaminant areas; oversee and provide guidance in decommissioning laboratories, hoods, sink traps, and equipment used for biological agents; identify chemical and radioactive materials; evaluate equipment for servicing; recommend personal protective equipment.
• Prepare training sessions regarding Institute and federal biosafety policies; act as departmental liaison for biological safety related to online courses; interface with human resources; coordinate and tracks course attendance and completion.

• Master’s Degree and at least 12 years of experience, PhD and at least 10 years of relevant experience, or bachelor’s degree and 14 years of experience.  
• Working knowledge of chemistry and microbiology
• Ability to recognize regulatory requirements as they apply to RTI business
• Knowledge of federal, state, local, and industry standard policies and procedures related to safe use and control of regulated waste material
• Ability to evaluate microorganisms, toxins, and nucleic acids for hazardous property
• Ability to recognize unsafe conditions and practices related to the use of biohazards and related equipment in research laboratories
• Ability to instruct groups regarding hazardous waste, biological safety, overall laboratory safety, and general safety
• Knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to work well with others
• Ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of self-motivation and efficiency;

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Salary : $115,000 - $142,000