The Laboratory Safety Officer (Environmental Health and Safety Officer) provides chemical hygiene, radiation/laser safety, training, and industrial hygiene services for research and teaching laboratories across the entire university. The position is under the direction of the Executive Director of the USU Environmental Health and Safety Office. Responsibilities focus primarily on promoting a culture of safety and the prevention of injuries and illnesses in the laboratory setting. This position serves university faculty, staff, students and visitors that use chemicals, radioactive materials/devices, need training or require industrial hygiene consultation. This position includes providing technical guidance on how to conduct hazard assessments and the development of safe procedures in all aspects of the university domain.

Chemical Hygiene:

• Assist Principal Investigators (PIs) to generate and update laboratory specific Chemical Hygiene plans (CHP)
• Collect and catalog annual CHP renewals
• Consult with PIs and laboratory personnel on industrial hygiene matters and PPE selection
• Conduct laboratory safety inspections
• Pesticide Safety in connection with the Field Safety Officer

Radiation Safety:

• Conduct inspections of radioactive research work areas within laboratories
  • Surveys and swipe tests
  • Evaluate compliance with regulations
  • Conduct decommissioning of equipment and areas
  • Assist with the dosimetry program
• Coordinate the laser safety program and conduct non-ionizing radiation surveys
• Conduct radioactive analysis to quantify activity, amount, and isotope
• Maintain radiation detection equipment

Industrial Hygiene:

• Respond campus-wide to indoor air quality complaints/emergencies
• Monitor and evaluate campus-wide hazards associated with chemical exposures
• Maintain industrial hygiene related equipment
• Work within the EH&S team on the hazard communication program
• Coordinate the campus respiratory protection program

Training:

• Coordinate and schedule laboratory safety training
• Work with the Lab Safety Manager (LSM) to provide training including:
  • Initial and annual laboratory safety
  • Hazard communication
  • Respiratory protection
  • OSHA expanded health standard chemicals
  • Personal protection equipment selection and use
• Maintain a database of training records for laboratory personnel

Other duties as assigned:

• The EH&S Officer is part of the EH&S team and may be called upon to assist other team members in responding to Hazardous Materials emergencies

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety, Public Health, or related field and completed at least one (1) three-month IH or Safety Internship

OR

• Experience in research related laboratory activities including but not limited to:
  • Undergraduate research
  • Volunteer
  • Internship
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Grad Student
  • Career experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS, MA) in Industrial Hygiene, Safety, Public Health, Science, Engineering, Agriculture or Natural Resources
• College/University level course work with accompany teaching laboratories in physical or natural sciences where proper and safe laboratory techniques were taught
• Knowledge of the basic physical and natural sciences gained from formal training, college level educational and/or work experience
• Research laboratory experience
• Experience in worker safety, industrial hygiene or public health
• Experience developing and implementing safety plans in the field
• Experience in laboratory safety with knowledge of federal, state, and local health and safety codes as applicable to the Laboratory Safety Standard
• Leadership experience in planning and executing laboratory-based research projects

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to apply knowledge and experience to the task of accident prevention, hazard recognition, and risk mitigation
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Researchers, PIs, Post Docs, Grad Students, Undergrads, and Lab Techs
• Skill in working independently and following through on assignments
• Ability to analyze technical data and make recommendations based on the data
• Ability to make persuasive oral and written presentations
• Ability to develop and provide valuable, informative, and engaging training
• Ability to clearly and concisely provide information and explain procedures or policies
• Skill in writing concise, logical, and grammatically correct analytical reports
• Ability to use a personal computer, mobile device, and related business software
• Ability to respond to accidents and incidents after normal university business hours
• Willingness to wear PPE and respiratory protection when necessary

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for over 25 years, and USU Extension provides outreach and service to all counties in Utah.  

As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.  

Utah State is committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where different perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

* updated 7/2023

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov