Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at LaGuardia Community College

Job Title: Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Job ID: 28806

Location: LaGuardia Community College

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

POSITION DETAILS

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York/CUNY. LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree and certificate programs, as well as dozens of workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 25,000 students. More than one-third of our degree-seeking students were born outside of the United States, coming to LaGuardia from 136 countries and speaking forty-three heritage languages. More than half are first-generation college students. Sixty-nine percent live in Queens; the rest live in Brooklyn and beyond. Approximately two-thirds of our degree students receive financial aid. Since forty-five percent of them identify as Hispanic, the US Department of Education has designated LaGuardia a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.

LaGuardia Community College's Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment by identifying, evaluating, and mitigating harmful conditions and practices. The EHS Office also ensures that college operations are conducted in compliance with CUNY policies, City, State, and Federal regulations of environmental and occupational safety. A wide range of services are provided by the department which includes, but are not limited to, developing safety policies and programs, inspecting campus laboratories and other applicable areas for compliance, conducting training and information sessions for faculty and staff.

The successful candidate reports to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety and will assist EHS in both the academic and administrative areas of the College. The Specialist will assist with the application and enforcement of all federal, state and local environmental health and safety regulations as well as, implement and enforce various CUNY and College policies and procedures in accordance with federal, state and local regulations concerning EHS.

Responsibilities for this position consist of, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists with the development and implementation of EHS procedures and guidelines and maintain environmental health and safety protocols as required;
• Implements established techniques for identification of hazards, assessing risks and conducting investigations;
• Ensures that all required environmental health and safety training is made available and completed; Conduct training on all applicable topics as assigned;
• Assists with the management of the College’s biological, chemical and radioactive waste disposal programs;
• Inspects all facilities, including research and teaching laboratories and workshops, to ensure safe operating conditions;
• Ensures the effective implementation and management of the chemical inventory programs;
• Chair, represent or participate in various committees, meetings and training programs as assigned;
• Participates and, if required, lead internal audits and inspections;
• Assists with lab safety and lab compliance activities;
• Helps with facilitating faculty and administration interaction on projects with environmental health and safety implications;
• Assists in the administration of planning and formulating environmental health and safety policies;
• Assists in the management of the blood borne pathogens and respiratory protection programs;
• Prepares reports, inventories and invoices for chemicals managed and disposed by various departments;
• Maintains required documentation of EHS programs and regulatory compliance;
• Responds to employee health and safety concerns and questions;
• Serve as emergency response coordinator for EHS concerns if assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree and four years' related experience required.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English.
• Meet all required and assigned training and certification obligations including FDNY and DOHM&H certifications
• Move, lift and transport equipment and materials as needed; 
• Be able to work at heights as necessary;
• Availability to work on weekends or off hours when responding to emergencies or to meet critical deadlines;
• Ability to learn, use and manipulate various software programs related to the job, including the Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to simplify and explain complex EHS concepts to the college community.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must be physically and medically capable of wearing personal protective equipment including a full-face respirator or comparable protective equipment.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

• Assists in managing academic and administrative environmental health and safety programs. 
• Prepares reports of activities, inventories, incidents, environmental monitoring and related matters
• Assists in the inspection of laboratories, chemical storage rooms and other  facilities, ensuring compliance with government and university regulations
• Administers biological, chemical, and radioactive waste disposal programs by communicating with faculty and staff, organizing collection, and contacting appropriate disposal vendors
• May assist in developing compliance strategies and programs for various requirements such as EPA regulations, OSHA/PESH standards and New York's occupational and environmental regulations
• Works with members of the College community to provide professional guidance and assistance on environmental health and safety implications of various projects
• May respond to environmental health and safety complaints
• Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Assistant

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

$52,267 - $75,465

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development.  We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off.  Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title.  Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information. 

Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.

CLOSING DATE

November 1st 2024

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply.  At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups.  Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.