Description of Position
The Environmental Health and Safety Specialist manages hazardous waste activities and serves as a technical resource to help resolve hazardous waste compliance issues. The position requires in-depth technical knowledge and experience with managing hazardous wastes and other regulated wastes. The position solves complex problems and takes new perspectives using existing solutions while working independently with little to no guidance. The position acts as a resource for other junior level Regulated Waste team members for hazardous waste and hazardous materials transportation related matters.
Job Duties
35% Manage Incoming Hazardous Waste Activities:
• Manage the work of UHS technicians when processing hazardous waste. Ensure waste is processed in a safe, compliant, cost-effective, and efficient manner. Ensure UHS staff are wearing proper PPE and following protocols for processing waste. Supervise the work of student technicians.
• Responsible for the application of EPA waste codes and internal processing codes for all incoming waste containers ensuring the compliant management of hazardous waste.
• Manage the external sales programs (CSDP, Fairview, and UMP) and hazardous waste shipments from all 51 non-TC Campus locations. Ensure that services are provided in a safe, compliant, cost-effective, and efficient manner by following applicable regulations and internal guidelines. Manage and supervise the work of UHS technicians during pickups. Work with site contacts to ensure waste is being stored in compliance with all applicable regulations. Prepare invoice statements for external clients. Actively seek out new clients to grow the external sales program and negotiate pricing when appropriate. Prepare and manage service level agreements with new and existing external clients, including the Minnesota State Colleges and University system. Maintain external rates and ensure that program budget goals are met.
• Prepare manifests, land disposal restrictions, and other regulatory documentation for all waste being shipped to Thompson Center. Manage the work of other UHS staff assisting with the preparation of regulatory documentation; act as a technical resource for UHS staff on hazardous waste and hazardous materials shipping matters.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations by managing the packaging, manifesting, shipping, and storage of hazardous waste.
• Conduct hazardous waste pick-ups, lab pack, and process waste as necessary.
35% Manage Outgoing Hazardous Waste Activities:
• Manage hazardous waste drum inventory in a safe, compliant, cost-effective, and efficient manner. Review drum contents and associated EPA waste codes to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Manage all hazardous waste profiles, negotiate pricing and disposal options with waste vendors.
• Prepare manifests, land disposal restrictions, and other regulatory documentation for all waste being shipped offsite for final disposal. Manage the work of other UHS staff assisting with the preparation of regulatory documentation; act as a technical resource for UHS staff on hazardous waste and hazardous materials shipping matters.
• Manage the loading of hazardous waste containers onto waste vendor trucks to ensure all DOT requirements are met.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations by managing the packaging, manifesting, shipping, and storage of hazardous waste.
25% Compliance Assurance Activities:
• Manage the hazardous waste data program: ensure regulatory compliance with annual relicensing requirements is met, ensure that program goals are met, and present data to stakeholders on a routine basis.
• Manage the Thompson Center regulatory inspection program. Both lead and assign inspection duties, when appropriate. Work with the Operations Supervisor to ensure that all compliance issues are corrected in a timely manner. Routinely report inspection findings to Regulated Waste team; identify and communicate trends and corrective actions as necessary.
• Manage the inspection of waste collection areas for compliance. Ensure Regulated Waste staff conduct inspections as required and that appropriate corrective actions are taken. Write reports and make recommendations to ensure compliance with applicable regulations is met.
• Provide regulatory training to the University community on the safe and compliant management of hazardous waste. Work with clients to solve unique and complex hazardous waste storage and disposal problems.
• Identify hazards, interpret standards, rules, and regulations pertaining to hazardous waste.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for the safe and compliant management of hazardous waste.
• Coordinate and participate in regulatory inspections or other actions taken by government agencies.
• Participate as a subject matter expert on the Minnesota State Hazardous Waste contract team.
5% Chemical Incident and Spill Response Management:
• Coordinate and manage spill response in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
• Serve as a Thompson Center Emergency Coordinator.
• Participate in the UHS after-hours response program.
• Execute specified role in the Emergency Operations Plan.
• Complete reports such as those related to hazardous waste, chemical spills, and emergency management.
Working Conditions
Primary job sites are the office, waste storage facilities, and laboratories. The latter two involve chemical and some radioactive material storage and handling. These areas are generally engineered to control the hazards but might require the use of personal protective equipment. This position will be part of a rotating, on-call, emergency response program that may be activated during regular hours or during after hours, weekends, or holidays. There may be routine travel involved with this position.
Salary Range: $70,000-$75,000