EHS Specialist

The New York Medical College (NYMC) Environmental Health & Safety group partners with the Touro College & University System (TCUS) community to provide safe campuses and to protect the environment. The EHS Specialist will play an integral role in supporting TCUS’s comprehensive environmental, occupational health, safety and research compliance programs.  The position reports to the Director of EHS.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support Touro University safety & environmental program: perform/document chemical inventory audits, SDS library updates, fume hood and biosafety cabinet reviews. and facility/laboratory signage maintenance.  Assist facilities in performing risk assessments and make recommendations on appropriate safety/environmental/compliance practices. Schedule, perform and document inspections on the various campuses throughout the TCUS.  Assist with the implementation and monitors the progress of corrective actions. Develops and maintain issue tracking systems. Implements improvements on an ongoing basis. Perform follow-up inspections as necessary. Provide instructor lead trainings on topics such as ergonomics, safe chemical management, spills management.
• Be the point person for the Touro Dental College EHS programs including; water sampling, quality assurance program data collection and presentation, infection control initiatives, x ray equipment management, clinic audits/inspections, student EHS presentations, safety meetings, daily walk-thru, and emergency planning/emergency response team participation, bloodborne pathogen program, patient safety, industrial hygiene, Service as the TCDM as the ‘Infection Prevention Coordinator”
• Investigate incidents/accidents, incidents of non-compliance, and other safety issues that may arise.  Reports incidents, issues and opportunities to EH&S management and other department managers as appropriate.
• Routinely conduct facility safety (including fire/life safety) and environmental compliance audits; produces audit reports/provides all supporting documentation for audit findings. Monitor the progress of corrective actions. Present findings to management and staff.
• Assist in the management and maintenance of records, documentation, databases, including training records & assignments, waste manifests, SDSs management system, safety equipment certifications, and other regulatory compliance documents. Maintain PPE inventories.
• Prepare and conducts trainings on a variety of EH&S topics, including, but not limited to: biosafety, chemical safety, shipping hazardous materials, blood borne pathogen standard, hazardous waste, etc. Develop audio/video content when needed. Maintain training database.
• Assist laboratories/clinics/facilities with the management of regulated waste streams and environmental compliance/sustainability initiatives.
• Interpret and maintain proficiency in regulations, standards, guidelines and trends in environmental health and safety and research compliance; anticipate and evaluate their impact on internal stakeholders; communicate requirements to EH&S management
• Maintain strong collaborative and professional relationships with EH&S staff, Principal Investigators, researchers, operational personnel, TCUS Laboratory campus committee members, professors, clinic staff, and all other internal stakeholders while actively promoting a culture of safety.
• Provide emergency response support (24 hour) throughout TCUS. Emergencies include: radiation, biological/blood spill, chemical/oil/waste release, personal injury, fire, etc. Participate in special projects and assists in the provision of EH&S services as requested. Prepare to be ‘on call’ on a rotating basis.
• Support for other campus EHS initiatives including laser, radiation, comparative medicine. Attend committee meetings if requested. Take meeting notes and generate meeting minutes.
• BSL3 program support: Attend and become qualified to assist with activities in the BSL3 laboratory/Select Agent Program. This included 20 hours of hands on training.  Must be able to be cleared thru the FBI to participate in this program.  Fingerprinting required.  Respirator and occupational health clearance required.
• All other duties as assigned.

This position will be 100% onsite.

 Education, Preparation, and Training

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 0-8 years experience in EH&S or related field.
• Dental/Medical/Academic experience a plus.

Skills

• Ability to work effectively with a team and independently
• Capable of communicating complex technical issues to a diverse clientele, both orally and in writing
• Must be able to multitask and have excellent organizational skills
• Must have excellent time management skills
• Ability to travel to off-site locations in NY and throughout the Touro University system

Physical Demands

• Extensive Use of computer and computer software.
• Extensive time sitting, standing, and walking. 0-90% in each category.
• Able to lift up to 45 lbs.
• Must be able to wear a respirator

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Outlook, as well as industry specific software applications or the ability to learn.
• Able to use iPad/iPhone applications

Travel

• 20-50% visits to TOURO sites in NY and in the US.

This position is 100% on-site; work from home is not available.