Position Focus :

Reporting to the Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Research Safety Supervisor, the Safety Advisor is the EHS primary liaison and point-of-contact with all campus departments, including areas such as research, clinical, academic, athletic, and support services, and is responsible for providing comprehensive health and safety services and assisting in the University's goal of a safe and healthy workplace and academic environment.

In addition to lab and non-lab campus zones, this Safety Advisor position will be assigned to the research material shipping program and support the controlled substance program.

The Safety Advisor supports EHS Shipping / Transport of Hazardous Materials Program. Supports daily operations and activities of team members, which includes technical experts from each EHS discipline to ensure conformity of all shipments of hazardous materials and exports leaving Yale campus.

Interfaces with associated vendors and regulatory groups to enhance the efficiency and compliance of the program for Yale personnel.

Plans and organizes the shipment of research materials, including laboratory equipment, biological samples, chemicals, and other scientific supplies.

Determines the most suitable packaging materials and shipping methods based on the nature of the materials and destination requirements.

Collaborates with research teams to understand shipping requirements and timelines for various projects.

Stays up-to-date on regulatory requirements for shipping research materials, including hazardous materials regulations, import / export laws, and shipping restrictions.

Ensures all shipments comply with relevant regulations and documentation, such as Safety Data Sheets (SDS), export licenses, and customs declarations.

Works closely with regulatory agencies and shipping carriers to address any compliance issues or concerns.

Updates inventory systems and databases to track the movement of research materials and monitor inventory levels. Liaises with shipping carriers and freight forwarders to schedule pickups, track shipments, and resolve any issues or delays.

Communicates shipping instructions and requirements to external partners and vendors.

Prepares research materials for shipment by selecting appropriate packaging materials and ensuring proper labeling and documentation.

Packages materials securely to prevent damage or contamination during transit, following best practices for handling sensitive or hazardous substances.

Coordinates the procurement of specialized packaging materials as needed for specific research projects.

Essential Duties

1. Develops and implements health and safety programs to prevent injuries and accidents from occurring in University facilities including risks associated with the physical plant and hazardous materials.

2. Performs comprehensive safety audits, surveys and investigations of facilities and hazardous materials to identify and correct unsafe work areas;

assists in hazardous materials management and emergencies, and supports other health and safety programs. 3. Participates in emergency response teams and assists in coordinating safety activities with various units, schools, and departments within the University to ensure effective and quick response if emergencies occur.

4. Provides direct professional environmental, health, and safety services and assistance to all faculty, staff, students, and campus departments;

provides informal and formal safety training to campus community. 5. Oversees campus environmental health and safety program(s) to ensure conformity with applicable regulations and internal compliance requirements.

6. Assists in managing daily operations of EHS compliance program(s), including : development of written EHS subject specific compliance manuals;

develops and delivers EHS training programs to students, faculty, and staff; 7. Creates compliance reports to document annual completion of assigned tasks and management of related or assigned EHS personnel to assist with the completion of required tasks where applicable.

8. Ensures that campus departments receive appropriate advice and updates on federal, state, and local regulations; works cooperatively with other EHS staff and University committees to facilitate the delivery of safety services to the campus community.

9. Inspects laboratories and other work areas in specific safety or environmental areas and recommends corrective action.

10. Maintains and ensures the efficient operation of related safety equipment; trains faculty, students, and staff in proper handling of hazardous materials and proper use of University facilities.

Authorizes safety clearances as needed. 11. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Radiation Safety / Health Physics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or related field and four years of work experience in a safety-related field or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Previous experience in dangerous goods shipping, preferably in a research or laboratory setting.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Demonstrated skills and knowledge in technical safety disciplines (, radiation safety, industrial hygiene, biosafety, chemical safety, environmental monitoring, and sampling methods).

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously due to the diversity of EHS services and the wide range of potential work locations on campus.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations and research material import and export controls.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Ability to participate as a member of the EHS on-call emergency response team and to work collaboratively with all EHS sections and programs.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

Working knowledge of dangerous goods shipping and Export Control regulations. Working knowledge of safety and / or environmental issues, including rules and regulations that pertain to them.

Knowledge of eShipGlobal, Smartsheets, and EHS Integrator.

Physical Requirements

1. Pass required physical examination. 2. Ability to stand, walk, lift, push, pull, twist, and negotiate awkward paths of travel.

3. Ability to periodically perform short duration physical exertions, including light-medium weight lifting, pushing, pulling, stair or ladder climbing, etc.

in support of a safety investigation, area or operations survey, or emergency response. 4. Ability to wear and use personal protective equipment for hazardous materials handling and spill clean-up including respirators, safety shoes, goggles, gloves, and fully encapsulating protective suit, up to and including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

5. Ability to work in a variety of physical environments including weather extremes, potential confined spaces, elevated locations, etc.

6. In support of emergency response work or assisting other EHS units, ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and move up to 500 lbs.

of waste or other material using rolling carts or drum carts.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications :

24 Hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification (required after hire).

DOT and IATA certification (required after hire).

Valid state-issued driver license (required after hire).

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here :

Additional Background or Health Screening Requirements

Selected incumbent must have successful completion of a DMV check and a valid driver’s license.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position.

Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Last updated : 2024-07-02