Senior Environmental Health and Safety Technician

Overview

Senior Environmental Health and Safety Technician (Sr Envrn Health/Safety Tech 4915)

Location:

Twin Cities | Job Family: LR-Protection/Law Enforcement | Job Type: Full-Time, Regular | Employee Class: AFSCME Unit 7 – Technical

The Senior Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Technician is responsible for performing regulated waste operations and other environmental programs and provides related services to customers. Duties include operations at Thompson Center for Environmental Management (TCEM) and various other hazardous waste storage areas located throughout the University.

• 60% Regulated Waste Operations
  • Works in operations at the TCEM, ensures waste containers are placed in their proper storage locations, processes chemical waste in accordance with training and standard operating procedures, and ensures the accurate inventory of hazardous waste.
  • Performs routine maintenance and cleaning activities throughout the facility.
  • Participates in the development and review of standard operating procedures.
  • Evaluates and determines hazards of unknown chemicals.
  • Operates facility equipment, including a forklift, in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
  • Performs chemical waste pickups from customer locations, assures that waste is properly packaged and labeled for transportation, and transports hazardous waste system-wide.
  • Works independently in a fill-in role for the CSDP Coordinator on Chemical Safety Day and System Campus waste pickups.
  • Performs data entry.
  • Ensures hazardous waste accumulation sites are equipped with supplies and distributes hazardous waste and supplies to waste accumulation sites.
  • Assists with training of new employees on all aspects of hazardous waste operations.
• 20% Customer Support
  • Maintains a professional image to customers by approaching others in a tactful and respectful manner.
  • Assists customers with requests related to Health, Safety, and Risk Management (HSRM) services, follows up to ensure needs are addressed, and communicates with other HSRM groups as necessary.
  • Assists with laboratory cleanouts and ensures waste is properly identified and packaged for transportation.
  • Takes the lead on laboratory chemical moves ensuring waste is properly identified and packaged for transportation.
  • Participates and supports HSRM task forces or committees as assigned.
  • Performs miscellaneous technician duties for HSRM as necessary, and works on miscellaneous HSRM related projects as assigned.
• 15% Compliance Assurance
  • Monitors compliance with hazardous waste regulations at generator locations, communicates noncompliance issues to site contacts, and provides solutions.
  • Performs weekly inspections for all hazardous waste central accumulation areas.
  • Assists with waste determination and evaluation, assigns appropriate waste processing codes.
• 5% Chemical Incident and Spill Response Management
  • Responds to and cleans up hazardous materials incidents and spills in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
  • Uses sampling instruments to determine if hazardous conditions exist.
  • Executes cleanup/abatement of incidents wearing proper PPE.

Primary job sites are waste storage facilities, shop and maintenance areas, laboratories, and offices. The position involves handling chemical, biological, and radioactive materials. These areas are generally engineered to control hazards but might require the use of personal protective equipment. Routine travel may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of a relevant two-year technical training program or equivalent college-level coursework in physical or environmental sciences and a minimum of three years work experience in a related field. An equivalent combination of education and work experience totaling four years may be substituted.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Knowledge of chemical hazards and chemical properties.
• Ability to successfully complete a 6-month initial training program, including obtaining an OSHA 40‑Hour Hazardous Waste Operations certification and Department of Transportation…