NRRI Coleraine Lab Research Safety Specialist

About the Job

The Research Safety Specialist serves as the primary Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) resource for the NRRI Coleraine campus and provides safety support for research, laboratory, pilot-scale, field, maintenance, and operational activities. Working under the direction of the QEHST Director, this position independently develops, implements, and maintains safety programs, hazard control strategies, training, contractor safety processes, emergency preparedness activities, and compliance initiatives supporting research and operational objectives.

The position is expected to exercise professional judgment, identify opportunities for improvement, develop practical solutions, and independently drive projects, corrective actions, and safety initiatives through completion. The successful candidate will be a proactive, team-oriented professional who collaborates effectively with researchers, supervisors, and support staff while also taking initiative, learning new topics, building strong working relationships, and owning assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.

In-person

Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm

Visa Language: Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• Serve as the primary safety resource for the Coleraine campus.
• Assist in the development of Hazard Control Plans, Lab Specific Safety Plans, Job Hazard Analyses, and related safety documentation.
• Perform personal and area air monitoring, noise monitoring, and other industrial hygiene sampling activities as required.
• Support the development and implementation of engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls based on exposure assessment results.
• Prepare exposure assessment reports and communicate findings and recommendations to employees, supervisors, and project teams.
• Work collaboratively with researchers, supervisors, project teams, and contractors to identify hazards, develop practical solutions, and implement effective risk controls. Conduct inspections, audits, assessments, and safety reviews.
• Serve as an active member on the Coleraine Safety Committee.
• Lead corrective actions and follow-up activities through completion.
• Develop, review, and update safety procedures and guidance documents.
• Support research safety evaluations, mineral safety reviews, and pilot-scale operations.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC) reviews and support risk assessments associated with facility, equipment, and process modifications.
• Assist with incident investigations, determine root causes, and support the development and implementation of corrective actions.
• Assist with the collection, analysis, and reporting of safety performance metrics and leading indicators.

• Assist with contractor safety requirements and support contractor onboarding activities in coordination with the responsible departments.
• Support the review of scopes of work and participate in permit and work-planning processes, providing safety input as needed.
• Coordinate with project teams, Tech Ops, Facilities Management, and contractors to promote safe execution of work.
• Assist in monitoring contractor activities and communicate unsafe conditions to the responsible project or operational leaders. Exercise stop-work authority when imminent hazards or unsafe conditions are observed.

• Coordinate and support emergency planning, drills, and response readiness.
• Inspect, maintain, and coordinate readiness of emergency response equipment, including trauma bags and spill kits.
• Manage hazardous waste and chemical compliance activities.
• Maintain chemical inventories, manifests, inspections, and related records.
• Coordinate hazardous waste shipments and storage requirements.
• Participate in regulatory inspections and compliance initiatives.

• Develop and deliver safety training to employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Support onboarding and safety orientation activities.
• Facilitate safety meetings, toolbox talks, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Participate in safety committees and support continuous improvement activities.

Frequent work in laboratory, pilot-scale, and industrial areas. Requires walking, standing, climbing stairs, and occasional lifting of materials or equipment. Frequent use of personal protective equipment and occasional exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, hazardous materials, and varying weather conditions. Use of a respirator may be required in certain areas. Occasional travel between NRRI locations and field sites.

BA/BS plus at least two years of experience in safety, environmental health and safety, research, manufacturing, construction, engineering, project management, or a related…