Research Safety Specialist

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A Brief Overview
This job supports the Research Institute's goal of maintaining a safe work environment for all research staff and provides assistance achieving compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices. This includes biosafety and biosecurity, chemical and laboratory safety, hazardous material management, industrial hygiene and air monitoring, and emergency response.

Reporting to a Research Safety Manager, this role is responsible for providing support to the ORS for the safety programs which includes, but is not limited to: conducting routine lab safety surveys in research laboratories; biological and/or chemical inventory management; reviewing research protocols for institutional committees (IBC, IACUC, IRE); providing guidance for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous and chemical agents; conducting biohazard or chemical risk assessments; and providing additional safety guidance and support to labs as needed.

The Office of Research Safety (ORS) is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, local, state, and institutional policies and regulations within the CHOP Research Institute.

What you will do

• Biosafety
• Assisting the Biological Research Safety Manager with ensuring the Biosafety & Biosecurity Program is compliant with federal, state, and local regulations and policies.
• Biosafety program support: including review of IBC, IRE, and IACUC protocols, auditing purchased biologics reports, and updating program manuals, SOPs, and other documentation.
• Implementing appropriate control measures and work practices for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous material.
• Review and update biosafety program content including: policies, trainings, and online presence.
• Chemical Safety
• Assisting the Chemical Research Safety Manager with ensuring the Chemical Hygiene Program is in compliance with federal, local and state regulations and policies.
• Chemical waste program support and communication with the waste vendor.
• Chemical inventory management and support, including minimal communication with the vendor.
• Providing support to labs regarding chemical handling, storage, and disposal.
• Review and update chemical program content on the ORS website, as needed.
• Laboratory Safety
• Conducts periodic laboratory visits and clearly documents findings related to work performed.
  o Prepares and maintains detailed reports and records.
  o Provides written and oral feedback on findings.
  o Assists with development of recommended actions to achieve compliance.
• Assists managers in revising educational programs to reflect findings of laboratory surveys, changes in policy, procedure or regulations or outcome of incident investigations.
• Create and deliver safety trainings as needed and ensure related compliance.
• Perform risk assessments for biological, ergonomic, laser, mechanical and other laboratory hazards.
• Weekly hazardous waste room surveillance
• Review institutional and departmental policies and procedures for accuracy and to ensure compliance with all local, state, federal and institutional policies, and regulations.
• Emergency Response
• Respond to concerns regarding safety and health, and complete incident investigations.
• Responds to spills and emergencies 24 hours/day; 7 days a week including participation in a rotating on-call emergency response schedule.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene or related field Required
• Master's Degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genomics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene or related field Preferred

Experience Qualifications

• At least three (3) years of laboratory and/or safety experience Required

Skills and Abilities

• Medically cleared to wear Level B personal protective equipment (Required proficiency)
• Intermediate knowledge of safety guidelines / regulations including from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Association Advancing Occupational and Environmental Health (ACGIH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
• Intermediate proficiency with hazard analysis and hazard control including the design, development, and implementation of hazard control programs consisting of engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices, and the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Intermediate proficiency with office software (Microsoft Office) including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Strong critical thinking / problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong time management skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to gather, analyze and make recommendations/decisions based on data
• Ability to convey complex or technical information in an easy-to-understand manner
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to be on-call to troubleshoot and resolve problems
• Ability to influence others to accomplish tasks outside of the direct span of control

Licenses and Certifications

• HAZWOPER 24 - Certified trainer under OSHA 1910.120 - - Preferred
• HAZWOPER 40 - Certified trainer under OSHA 1910.120 - - Preferred
• Resource Conservation and Recovery ACT/DOT (RCRA/DOT) 8 Hour Certification - Certified trainer under OSHA 1910.120 - - Preferred
• Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) - American Biological Safety Association - - Preferred
• Associate Safety Professional (ASP) - Board of Certified Safety Professionals - - Preferred

To carry out its mission, CHOP is committed to supporting the health of our patients, families, workforce, and global community. As a condition of employment, professionals working onsite-at any CHOP location, for any portion of time-must be vaccinated for COVID-19. Learn more.

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