Laboratory Safety Officer

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Public Service Coordinator II

Opening Date:
February 25, 2026

Closing Date:
March 10, 2026

Job Class Code: CA29

Grade: 29 (47)

Salary: $68,993.59 - $97,635.20 per year

Position Number:

Location:

This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This position allows for partial telework with manager approval.

The Laboratory Safety Officer (LSO) is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive health and safety program for the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). This position also fulfills the Department of Labor mandated role of Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO).

In this role the LSO supports staff education & training in health and safety measures and ensures compliance with applicable health and safety regulations. The LSO chairs the HETL Safety Committee and conducts periodic safety and health audits throughout the HETL facility.

The Laboratory Safety Officer updates safety and health policies, processes, and procedures as needed. This position plays a central role in promoting a strong culture of safety by identifying and reporting actual and potential safety issues that may place staff and others at risk; assessing those risks; implementing redundant systems to reduce risks to the absolute minimum; overseeing of site-specific workplace safety policies and procedures;

and maintaining a safety plan that meets agency and OSHA requirements.

In this role, you will help protect the health and safety of Maine’s public health laboratory workforce by:

• Providing consultive, professional safety advice and expertise to the Associate Director of the Health and Environmental Testing laboratory (HETL)
• Developing comprehensive safety policies, processes, and procedures as part of the HETL safety program.
• Conducting annual safety training to HETL staff
• Serving as the subject matter expert (SME) for HETL in all matters related to worker safety and health and chemical hygiene safety.
• Exercising independent judgement in recommending and implementing policy and protocol development.
• Determining safe work practices to control hazards.
• Determining scheduled and unscheduled internal audits to review actual practices within the facility.
• Determining appropriate systems to track hazards, near‑miss incidents, and injuries to HETL staff, DHHS staff, vendors, and visitors within the facility.
• Determining decontamination practices to be used in case of an event.
• Determining best practices to align with all regulatory requirements.

A bachelor’s degree in chemical, physical, industrial hygiene, environmental, or health safety sciences. A minimum of four (4) years of experience within a laboratory or chemical‑related facility with responsibilities for safety programs with proficiency in laboratory safety or chemical hygiene. A comprehensive knowledge of laboratory operations and practices and a demonstrated ability to establish working relationships with diverse groups.

• Expertise and knowledge of scientific and technical components of laboratory testing.
• Ability to apply emergency and risk communication principles and techniques to accurately explain information to others.
• Ability to mitigate emergency events, coordinating with public safety, Maine DOL, DEP, EPA, etc.
• Chemical Hygiene Officer certification or eligibility for the certification.

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your experience and passion set you apart.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health,…