Occupational Safety Specialist

Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Washington National Primate Center has an outstanding for an Occupational Safety Specialist.

Position Purpose:

The primary purpose of this Occupational Safety Specialist position is to work toward the mission of the WaNPRC to empower the delivery of leading-edge scientific discoveries to improve human health while promoting the highest standards of care, health, well-being and conservation for primates around the world.

Under co-direction of the Director and the Associate Director for Animal Resources, this Occupational Safety Specialist (Program Operations Specialist (E S
9)) position provides occupational health and biosafety support to personnel working at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC) and its two locations, Seattle Washington and Mesa Arizona.

Position Complexities:

This position serves as a leader in providing up-to-date information on how staff can protect themselves against injury and exposure to hazardous materials so that research with nonhuman primates (NHPs) can be conducted in a safe manner. The position requires strong teamwork and communication skills as interactions with diverse investigative groups, other WaNPRC staff and University of Washington Environmental Health and Safety Department and the Office of Animal Welfare will be frequent.

The successful applicant will collaborate with WaNPRC management to implement changes in policy and practices to reduce potential injuries to employees or animals at WaNPRC.

Position Dimensions:

This position supports the objective of ensuring the health and safety of all approximately 170 WaNPRC employees.

Position Responsibilities:

Environmental Health and Safety Program Implementation, Coordination, and Compliance Monitoring (30%):

• Keep up to date on the UW Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) requirements and recommendations in all areas including biological, chemical, and radiological safety, industrial hygiene including respiratory protection, occupational health, fire and life safety, and physical safety.

• Coordinate with relevant supervisors and staff on implementing recommendations and requirements.

• Identify opportunities for organization-wide changes or improvements to practices, infrastructure, or other program elements with the aim of minimizing exposure to workplace hazards and strengthening the overall safety climate of the center.

• Engage leadership in facilitating systemic changes.

• Communicate results of hazard assessments and exposure monitoring to Training and Orientation Coordinator and assist in developing appropriate and responsive training programs.

• Develop a schedule and assure routine safety equipment and internal facility audits are completed as scheduled and collaborate with EH&S to schedule formal audits.

• Work collaboratively with Training and Orientation Coordinator to develop and deliver a safety training program for supervisors. As part of this training provide supervisors with methods of documenting and tracking safety checks.

• Serve as a resource on health and safety issues. Keep current on occupational health and safety issues in the care and use of nonhuman primates and in the area of research safety practices, particularly biosafety. Use inspections and interview techniques as necessary to review issues of non-compliance and make recommendations to management in this area.

• Implement and monitor the Hazardous Chemicals Program for designated personnel, including required documentation, reports and recommendations.

• Ensure laboratories or other required staff are aware of hazardous waste disposal procedures and that they are followed.

Occupational Health Program Implementation, Coordination, and…