Occupational Safety Health Specialist I - Office of Risk Management

Occupational Safety Health Specialist I

The Office of Risk Management invites applications for an Occupational Safety Health Specialist I . This position will develop, coordinate, evaluate, and execute University policies and procedures that will ensure the health and safety of faculty, staff, students and visitors. In accordance with regulatory mandates, topics included will be complex technical areas such as hazard control and risk management, occupational safety and health, and industrial hygiene. Under the direction of management, incumbent is responsible for developing, coordinating, training and providing professional consultation and technical expertise associated with environmental, health and occupational safety (EHOS) matters. The incumbent works with internal and external stakeholders to provide a safe environment and to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations.

This position will provide services to the University of Montana and to its affiliate campuses: Montana Tech (Butte), UM-Western (Dillon) and Helena College. The position requires occasional travel to support Environmental Health services to those units. The Occupational Safety Health Specialist may work with or have access to professionals with administrative, engineering, chemical, radiation, occupational, environmental, and fire safety credentials and will be prepared to assess, measure, and evaluate potential hazards which the University community may encounter for purposes of developing safety related programs to heighten safety awareness among staff, faculty and students. This is not a supervisory position, however, this position will manage contracts for a variety of professional services. During an incident, this position will supervise response functions per the university's emergency operations plan as appropriate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identification and Mitigation of Environmental Health Hazards.
• Supervise and identify the need for monitoring, on a continued basis, for hazards associated with airborne contaminants such as asbestos, particulates, VOC’s, mold, etc.
• Conduct visual inspections of asbestos-containing materials, collect bulk samples of suspect material, coordinate with labs for analysis, and maintain asbestos database.
• Work closely with Facilities Services to manage UM’s state asbestos permit.
• Coordinate environmental health & safety response to potential asbestos exposure from releases or damage of ACM.
• Conduct occupational health consultations and analysis of University workplaces to provide assistance in the identification, control and elimination of occupation safety and health hazards.
• Maintain information system of hazardous building material sampling reports and abatement activities.
• Calibrate and maintain industrial hygiene equipment, as needed.
• Inspect and determine that available life safety devices such as fume hoods, fire extinguishers, emergency eyewash and showers are in proper working condition.
• Compliance, Safety Inspections, Investigation and Training.
• Review plans to ensure that campus planning personnel are in compliance with all safety regulations during the planning of new construction and rehabilitation of existing facilities or in the lease or purchase of off-campus facilities.
• Participate in safety related inspections of buildings, dormitories, laboratories, and research areas, construction and facilities rehabilitation sites, storage areas, etc. for the purpose of detecting and appraising unsafe conditions or activities.
• Participate in the investigation of accidents, fires, incidents involving hazardous chemicals and any other environmental or safety related concerns.
• Actively participate in the Campus Safety Committee, and other safety and health committees or groups as deemed appropriate.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract Professional and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position is $40,680 - $50,847 per year commensurate with qualifications.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations, with specific knowledge on IH standards AIHA industry best practices Safety and Environmental hazard identification methods.
• Knowledge of asbestos, lead and mold abatement and remediation Laser Safety Conducting industrial hygiene field measurements to verify levels of specified air contaminants.
• Ability to conduct surveys and observe work conditions to identify processes that pose a risk to health of employees.
• Ability to Analyze and interpret results of an assessment to develop plans for improved work conditions.
• Ability to counsel employees on proper ways to adjust work stations to meet ergonomic best practices.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to manage resources.
• Ability coordinate a variety of projects simultaneously.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, science, chemistry environmental engineering/science or related field.
• Three (3) years of experience performing the duties of the position or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Industrial Hygiene or the Physical Sciences and five (5) years of experience as an environmental health and safety professional.
• Accreditation as Montana Asbestos Inspector or the ability to gain certification within a reasonable period if hired.

About UM and the Office of Risk Management

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

The mission of Environmental Health & Safety is to help ensure a safe and healthy workplace by providing oversight and guidance on matters related to occupational safety, health, the environment, and related regulatory compliance.

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
  • Video: Mission First, People Always
  • UM on YouTube

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

E mployment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin after date above and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below.

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
• Transcripts – official transcripts due upon hire.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular