SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY DEPARTMENT (EH&S)
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Manufacturing / Production / Operations
Posted on June 13, 2019
Req #: | 165579 |
Department: | ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY (EH&S) |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma |
Posting Date: | 03/13/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with experience and education |
Shift: | First Shift |
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. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
The University of Washington is seeking a dynamic and experienced senior director for the Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S). The successful candidate will embrace change and possess the organizational agility to align EH&S with the ever-changing environment and needs at the University of Washington. The senior director is responsible for the strategic, operational, financial, and personnel activities of the Environmental Health and Safety Department and provides leadership and advice to the University on all matters pertaining to environmental health and safety. Responsibilities are in the areas of biological safety, chemical safety, and radiological safety, research safety, occupational health and safety, building and fire safety, industrial hygiene, public health, and environmental protection.
General Description
The senior director provides UW leadership and compliance oversight for environmental health and safety programs. This position directs and manages a comprehensive University-wide environmental health and safety program that addresses compliance needs, manages and mitigates risks, and protects and promotes the health and safety of faculty, students, and staff. The scope of services includes issues and risks associated with research, radiological, chemical and biological safety, building and fire safety, occupational health and safety, public health, environmental concerns, including hazardous waste management. The senior director works closely with managers of the Department’s seven major sections to ensure effective and efficient service delivery by the Department’s 85 FTE appropriate management of an annual budget of $10 million. Provides direction for all operational, fiscal, and personnel actions, including budget preparation, strategic planning, and establishment of contractual agreements and assessing and communicating campus risk factors. Serves as liaison to other University operations units, government and funding agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure strong interactive partnerships exist for the University’s assessment, assurance, and compliance activities. Implements the State’s public environmental health programs at the University in fulfillment of contractual agreements. Serves or may serve as the designated Responsible Official for the University of Washington’s Select Agent Compliance Program; the University’s Trustworthy and Reliable (T&R) Official for NRC Security Compliance Program; a member of the Emergency Operations Center; and chairs and/or participates in several University committees. The senior director of EH&S will serve as the responsible University official for EH&S oversight for the Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell and other off-site campus locations owned or operated by the University.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Ensure appropriate programs are in place to meet compliance needs of the University of a wide variety of environmental health and safety issues including, but not limited to, building and fire safety, recombinant DNA and biohazardous research, management of Broad Radioactive Materials License, laboratory management consultation, environmental remediation consultation, health and safety employee protection programs, hazard communications, field and chemical occupational health clinics, training mandates, centralized services and databases containing requisite University employee, facilities and health and safety information.
• Engage campus leaders by providing information about environmental, health, and safety related trends and providing recommendations for enhancement.
• Ensure appropriate field investigation services area in place to address adverse health and safety incidents and provide prevention guidance to address occupational and environmental mandates and health and safety concerns.
• Oversee the development and management of departmental multi-million dollar operational and University capital safety budgets, including negotiating budgets with self-sustaining units.
• Oversee program and process for fire safety engineering and occupational health consultation to the design of new and remodeled University buildings and leased spaces to prevent noncompliance with building, fire and occupational health and safety codes.
• Oversee a department that works collaboratively with research and campus clients and leaders to develop innovative solutions to reduce workplace risk and exposures.
• Oversee, provide leadership, and ensure EH&S facilitation and administrative support for institutional safety and advisory committees including: Institutional Biosafety Committee, Radiation Safety Committee, Diving Control Board, Infectious Waste Committee, University-Wide Safety Committee, Montlake Landfill Oversight Committee, Boating Safety Advisory Committee, Biosafety level 3 and Select Agent Program Advisory Committee.
• Provide EH&S leadership and/or arrange for EH&S participation or involvement with University committees such as the Campus Security Advisory Committee, Research Compliance and Integrity Committee, the Advisory Committee on Communicable Disease, the Global Support Advisory Team, the Compliance Council, the Campus Health Services Advisory Board, the Project Review Board, and the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee.
• Oversee a department that proactively works with faculty and staff and departmental leaders to assess and communicate risks and develop and implement effective mitigation measures.
• Oversee and ensure that EH&S represents the University and works with representative of state and local agencies including, but not limited to, the Seattle Fire Department, the state and local health authorities, city and state Legislative authorities to collaborate on the implementation of effective environmental health and safety programs.
• Ensure appropriate and adequate prevention activities are in place for response to emergencies on campus and support emergency response and business continuity programs in collaboration with the University of Washington Police Department (UWPD) and the UW Office of Emergency Management.
• Work closely with the University’s legal and risk management departments to review and address risk management programs and incidents.
• Ensure the appropriate security and safety programs are in place consistent with mandates from CDC for select agents; NRC for radiation; and DHS regarding chemicals. Partner with UWPD in the implementation and oversight of security programs.
• Ensure appropriate oversight and approvals are in place for both biosafety/recombinant DNA and radiation uses in research and clinical trials.
• Review, initiate and monitor targeted compliance and audit monitoring programs as needed.
• Provide metrics to University leadership to communicate status of the University’s EH&S compliance and program status, areas for improvement and resource needs to support University’s mission of research, teaching, and service.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree in environmental health, industrial hygiene, public health administration, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to environmental health and safety issues.
• Strong communication skills, including listening, writing, and speaking
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong and effective working relationships with a broad variety of clients and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to think clearly, analyze carefully, and recommend wisely regarding risks and compliance issues.
• Demonstrated openness to change and organizational agility.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and work effectively under pressure and in emergency situations.
• Demonstrated ability to promote a positive and supportive workplace climate.
• Demonstrated ability to apply enterprise risk management principles to program development, management, and support.
• Demonstrated ability to approach work with energy, enthusiasm, and innovation.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE
• Doctoral degree in environmental health, industrial hygiene, occupational health, public health or public health administration or a related field, and at least 10 years of experience in a field of occupational, industrial, public or environmental health and safety.
• At least seven years of experience in a university research institution.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.