Assistant Director - Environmental Health & Safety

The department of Environmental Health & Safety at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Director of Environmental Health & Safety.

About the Opportunity:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Environmental Health & Safety, the Assistant Director will provide oversight for environmental, health and safety programs at the Health Sciences Center and other areas of WVU as needed.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays ( staff holiday calendar )
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service ( employee leave )
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits.
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information ? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Responsible for developing an overall strategic plan for the Health Sciences Center environmental health and safety programs. Develop both short-term and long-range goals and direction for the office and its work in the Health Sciences Center. Execute environmental health and safety related projects involving analysis of plans, programs, policies, procedures regulations and facilities at the projects involving analysis of plans, programs, policies, procedures regulations and facilities at the Health Sciences Center. Work includes conducting subject matter research, holding meetings, and working with units throughout the Health Sciences Center and coordinating activities with various WVU departments and units outside the HSC, as necessary.
• Develop, plan, design, and oversee innovative, comprehensive environmental, safety, health and biosafety programs for the Health Sciences Center. Oversee policy development, implementation and management of EH&S issues as they relate to regulatory matters and compliance and overall health and safety of HSC faculty, staff, students, patients, visitors and resources. Continually oversee and monitor programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Act as HSC health and safety leader and advocate. Work collaboratively, to implement proper procedures as it relates to HSC needs. Keep abreast of developments in the marketplace for environmental health and safety equipment, applicable state and federal statutes and regulations, and specific process subject matter. Collaborate with key stakeholders in the organizations to share information and benchmark our progress. Implement safety and health programs and get involvement and support by departmental leadership, faculty and staff.
• Act as HSC health and safety leader and advocate. Work collaboratively, to implement proper procedures as it relates to HSC needs. Keep abreast of developments in the marketplace for environmental health and safety equipment, applicable state and federal statutes and regulations, and specific process subject matter. Collaborate with key stakeholders in the organizations to share information and benchmark our progress. Implement safety and health programs and get involvement and support by departmental leadership, faculty and staff.
• Provide guidance for compliance with legal and university requirements regarding environment, health and safety regulatory matters, regulations and laws. Provide guidance to ensure compliance with the safety requirements of state and local departments such as Monongalia County Health Department, West Virginia State Fire Marshal, Department of Environmental Protection, and other agencies having safety and health requirements which affect the campus environment. Support compliance with other legal requirements set forth by applicable local, state, or federal regulatory bodies.
• Assess effects of current and proposed laws, and define options and associated costs, risks, and responses. Providing the necessary support and guidance for the implementation of the various federal, state and locally required environmental health and safety programs to HSC departments.
• Guide assist and coordinate EHS needs for all HSC facility projects and renovation work.
• Attend all project update meetings to stay informed on any safety related concerns throughout the project. Review and or discuss potential asbestos concerns/ sampling results and all other safety related issues like sprinklers, fire alarms, life safety needs, HVAC needs, open chase way concerns, review and approve all asbestos project designs prior to asbestos projects beginning.
• Conduct asbestos and other hazardous material sampling prior to new projects beginning.
• Schedule third-party air monitoring for asbestos related projects managed in-house.
• In conjunction with project team, communicate project specifics to affected building occupants and work with building occupants on optimal scheduling of shut-downs (particularly research and patient care areas).
• Ensure contractors working in occupied research areas have proper hazard recognition training prior to beginning.
• Lead, guide and or assist with all Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues at HSC, specifically coordination of asbestos work to include pre-plans, abatement and clearance testing.
• Supervise and manage the day to day activities of our Biosafety staff.
• Supervise and manage our Chemical Inventory staff and the onboarding of our new chemical inventory management system for Health Sciences Center.
• Supervise and oversight for activities related to laboratory safety management on the main campus in Morgantown, all regional campus locations, including our farms and any other areas being operated by the University.
• Author reports, letters and memoranda to administration as necessary, stays current with health and safety issues to ensure departmental proficiency and emerging regulatory issues. Also, author responses to state and federal agencies relating to inspections, infractions and corrective action.
• At the request of the Executive Director of EHS, the incumbent may get engaged in activities at other campus locations based on department needs and specific area of responsibility.
• Guide assist and coordinate EHS needs for all HSC facility projects and renovation work.
• Attend all project update meetings to stay informed on any safety related concerns throughout the project. Review and or discuss potential asbestos concerns/ sampling results and all other safety related issues like sprinklers, fire alarms, life safety needs, HVAC needs, open chase way concerns, review and approve all asbestos project designs prior to asbestos projects beginning.
• Conduct asbestos and other hazardous material sampling prior to new projects beginning.
• Schedule third-party air monitoring for asbestos related projects managed in-house.
• In conjunction with project team, communicate project specifics to affected building occupants and work with building occupants on optimal scheduling of shut-downs (particularly research and patient care areas).
• Ensure contractors working in occupied research areas have proper hazard recognition training prior to beginning.
• Lead, guide and or assist with all Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) issues at HSC, specifically coordination of asbestos work to include pre-plans, abatement and clearance testing.
• Supervise and manage the day to day activities of our Biosafety staff.
• Supervise and manage our Chemical Inventory staff and the onboarding of our new chemical inventory management system for Health Sciences Center.
• Supervise and oversight for activities related to laboratory safety management on the main campus in Morgantown, all regional campus locations, including our farms and any other areas being operated by the University.
• Author reports, letters and memoranda to administration as necessary, stays current with health and safety issues to ensure departmental proficiency and emerging regulatory issues. Also, author responses to state and federal agencies relating to inspections, infractions and corrective action.
• At the request of the Executive Director of EHS, the incumbent may get engaged in activities at other campus locations based on department needs and specific area of responsibility.
• Responsible for the hiring, firing, disciplining and supervision of HSC Safety Office employees, student workers and graduate students.
• Meet with staff to develop goals provide direction and oversee their independent performance and function of their position. Provide guidance, supervision and oversight regarding investigations, audits, reports, inspections, training, work assignments and performance.
• Monitor and survey activities and operations at the HSC facility to identify environmental health and safety concerns, hazards and monitor the ever-changing environmental health and safety programmatic needs.
• In conjunction with the appropriate departmental leads, will oversee development of vendor contracts to assure contracts are written to meet the needs of the HSC procurement rules and regulations.
• Maintains and establishes relationships with persons and organizations within and external to WVU.
• Ensure that federal and state documentation is completed effectively relating to compliance for research funding to continue.

Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Management, Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Environmental Health and Safety related field.
  
• A minimum of four (4) years experience in the following:
  • Designing, implementing and managing a full range of EH&S programs, preferably in a major academic institution or clinical/research environment.
  • Directly related professional experience in industrial hygiene or directly related professional experience and or training in hazardous assessments, industrial hygiene compliance and related program management. Pertinent knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered for experience.
  • Experience in managing EHS projects.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to reason logically and strategically.
• Ability to stand, stoop, and squat 4-6 hours / day accessing cabinets and moving parcels.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment and parcels for considerable distances.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks based on numerous variables.
• Ability to wear various Personal Protective Equipment.
• Ability to safely utilize tools to open and package boxes, drums and containers.
• Ability to effectively communicate in both oral and written formats.
• Ability to utilize and personal computer, tablet, and cellular phone.
• Ability to evaluate complex issues and be creative to provide solutions.
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in a very limited time frame.
• Ability to coordinate and work effectively on teams.
• Ability to assess physical conditions, determine compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Ability to compile and organize data.
• Ability to adapt to a wide variety of work environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Environmental Management, Industrial Hygiene, Safety Management, Environmental Health and Safety related field is preferred.

• Valid Driver's License
• EPA certified Asbestos Building Inspector course must be successfully completed within one year of initial hire. WV state law requires this training to perform asbestos related duties and responsibilities.
• Must have, or obtain, a minimum of Hazardous Materials Awareness level training, Annual refresher is required.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.