Career Center

Job Description:

• Assists with developing, implementing, and maintaining policies and procedures within occupational health and safety.
• Assists in achieving annual objectives established for occupational health and safety.
• Assists in accurate completion and filing of reports and documentation required by regulatory agencies occupational health and safety.
• Develops presentation materials used in briefings and training to institutional and non-institutional groups for occupational health and safety.
• Advises the Senior Occupational Health and Safety Specialist on selection of equipment and supplies related to the occupational health and safety program.
• Collaborates with faculty and staff serving in a consultative role as a resource for occupational health and safety (e.g., training, standard operating procedures).
• Conducts general facility inspections for unsafe conditions and work practices, recommends corrective actions, and performs follow-up verification of deficiency correction status.
• Develops campus communication on occupational health and safety topics.
• Serves on occupational health and safety related committees (e.g., Facilities Services) and participates in departmental and campus-wide work groups to facilitate occupational health and safety injury prevention, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Collaborates with staff and administrative personnel to perform occupational health and safety incident investigations and monitors implementation of controls and corrective actions.
• Participates as a member of the emergency response team including the rotation of On-Call Safety Officer and responds to hazardous materials releases and serves in the appropriate response role based on training and expertise.
• Develops recommendations to improve overall occupational health and safety management systems including inspections and incident investigations.
• Maintains knowledge/expertise on existing/proposed changes in all regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws, regulations, codes and standards, including making recommendations for work environment changes based on interpretations and principles of professional practices of occupational health and safety.
• Monitors compliance and provides information and data to the Senior Occupational Health and Safety Specialist in support of regulatory agency occupational health and safety inspections.
• Assists staff in assessment of personal protective equipment (PPE) needs for designated operations.
• Researches appropriate hazard control and mitigation strategies, including engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE, and supports staff in the implementation of these control strategies.
• With a moderate level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.
• Performs risk analysis on the University's environmental and occupational health and safety programs and implements alternatives or improvements to current programs.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, engineering, or one of the life sciences.

Experience:

• One to five years of experience in occupational health and safety.
• Experience in life/fire safety.

Certifications:

• Relevant certifications (e.g., Hazardous Materials Technician or higher classification).
• Capable of obtaining medical clearances for using respiratory protection necessary for HAZMAT response.
• Valid driver's license.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental health and safety codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Detail oriented and able to prepare documents and/or reports as necessary.
• Maintain professionalism, credibility and good service delivery practices when dealing with all contacts, internal and external.
• Remain calm and objective throughout stressful and unpleasant situations.
• Make timely, sound decisions and accept concomitant responsibility. Communicate effectively and consistently with others using tact when necessary. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and members of the University community.
• Work with people of various ages and backgrounds and with diverse constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, and staff in the University and the Medical Center.
• Build consensus and credibility across the campus.
• Resolve conflicts and manage sensitive emergency situations appropriately. Demonstrated self-restraint in challenging and/or difficult situations.
• Mentally and physically react effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during times of conflicts and emergencies.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies.
• High level of writing and presentation skills for both groups and one on one.
• Synthesize complex material to assist decision-making and to communicate priorities required. Ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Considerable skill in working both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated outstanding written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills.

Working Conditions

• On call and available to work nights/weekends/holidays as necessary.
• Work in inclement weather or weather extremes.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.