Job DescriptionJob Description
Position Summary
The Hazardous Waste and Environmental Safety Coordinator is responsible for overseeing hazardous waste management, regulatory compliance, environmental health and safety practices, and safety training across the College. This position serves as the primary resource for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and works collaboratively with academic and operational departments to promote a safe learning and working environment.
The coordinator will develop and maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local hazardous waste regulations; conduct inspections and assessments; provide training to faculty and staff; and support campus-wide safety initiatives. The position will interact regularly with departments including Facilities, Chemistry, Biology, Art, Fashion, and Theatre, as well as other areas that utilize hazardous materials or present environmental health and safety concerns.
Key Responsibilities:
Hazardous Waste Management
- Coordinate the collection, storage, labeling, and disposal of hazardous waste generated throughout the College.
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations, including EPA, OSHA, state environmental agencies, and local requirements.
- Maintain and manage chemical and hazardous waste inventories, Safety Data Sheets, records, and other required documentation
- Conduct routine inspections of hazardous waste accumulation areas and laboratories.
- Serve as liaison with licensed hazardous waste disposal vendors and regulatory agencies.
- Develop and maintain written procedures related to hazardous waste handling and emergency response.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
- Monitor campus operations for compliance with environmental health and safety regulations.
- Conduct safety audits and inspections of academic, laboratory, studio, theatre, maintenance, and storage spaces.
- Identify safety risks and recommend corrective actions.
- Assist departments with hazard assessments, chemical inventories, and safety planning.
- Support incident investigations and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and response activities.
Training and Education
- Complete all required environmental health and safety training and maintain current certifications as required by regulations and institutional needs.
- Develop and deliver hazardous waste, chemical safety, laboratory safety, and related environmental health and safety training programs.
- Train faculty, staff, and designated student workers on applicable safety procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain records of safety training and ensure required retraining occurs as needed.
- Serve as a campus resource on hazardous materials management and safety best practices.
Campus-Wide Safety Initiatives
- Collaborate with Facilities, Chemistry, Biology, Art, Fashion, Theatre, and other departments to address environmental health and safety needs.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and review of safety policies and procedures.
- Participate in campus safety committees and related initiatives.
- Evaluate new programs, equipment, chemicals, and processes for potential safety and regulatory impacts.
- Promote a culture of safety through education, communication, and continuous improvement efforts.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental health and safety, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of hazardous waste regulations, chemical safety practices, and environmental health and safety principles.
- Experience working with hazardous materials, laboratories, facilities operations, or environmental compliance programs.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and conduct training programs.
- Strong organizational, communication, and recordkeeping skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse campus constituents.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and database or recordkeeping systems.
- Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to provide training, conduct inspections, respond to incidents, or support regulatory activities.
Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, laboratory, research environments, or related areas.
- Professional training and willingness to pursue certification such as Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST), or related credentials.
- Experience with laboratory safety, chemical hygiene plans, and safety audits.
- Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and state-specific environmental regulations.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to inspect facilities throughout campus, including laboratories, workshops, studios, theatres, and utility areas.
- Ability to climb ladders during inspections
- Ability to distinguish colors on hazardous labels
- Ability to lift and move materials weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and work safely around hazardous materials.
Albright College offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance; tuition remission; and generous paid time off. This is a full-time, in-person position based on Albright’s campus in Reading, Pennsylvania.