What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Health and Safety/Emergency Management Specialist position at Frederick Community College?
Position Summary
Position Summary:
Coordinates environmental health and safety (EHS) programs, functions and compliance for main campus and Monroe Center facilities for all employees, students, and visitors. Serves as member of Crisis Management Team. Design, develop training materials and conduct safety related training. Provides OSHA compliance safety and equipment use training for select employee groups, and teaches CPR, First Aid, and AEDs. Coordinates and conducts routine inspections/audits. Manages hazardous waste program. Leads the development and implementation of safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe workplace. This is an essential personnel position and reports directly to the Director of Public Safety. Demonstrates the ability to use varying styles and approaches that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, multicultural workplace.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following are the functions essential to performing this job:
EHS Program Development and Oversight
1. Policy Development and Implementation
- Lead the development and implementation of safety policies, such as hazard communication, PPE, and lab safety protocols, ensuring all procedures align with regulatory standards and best practices.
- Facilitate training and adherence to safety policies across departments, monitoring and updating protocols as regulations evolve.
2. Safety Training and Program Development
- Design and conduct safety-related training programs for faculty, staff, and students, covering hazard awareness, personal protective equipment (PPE), CPR, AED, First Aid, and emergency preparedness.
- Collaborate with Human Resources to maintain up-to-date safety policies, including the Respiratory Protection Program and Exposure Control Plan. Ensure compliance with OSHA-mandated safety training.
- Implement and execute programs for the prevention and control of EHS risks, including injury prevention, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, and laboratory compliance.
3. Routine Inspections and Record Management
- Coordinate routine inspections for campus life safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, AEDs, lab fume hoods, and safety kits, ensuring all deficiencies are addressed in collaboration with Plant Operations
- Maintain comprehensive records of inspections, training completions, and safety audits, reporting any gaps to the Public Safety Director regularly.
- Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and code standards. Interpret regulations and provide practical guidance, support, and training aimed at maintaining and developing best practices for environmental health and safety.
4. Hazardous Materials Management
- Oversee the receipt, storage, distribution, inventory management, and disposal of chemicals, biological materials, and hazardous waste, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
- Manage the inventory of hazardous materials and ensure proper disposal of lab animal remains, medical equipment waste, and other hazardous substances per environmental and health standards.
5. Safety Performance Metrics and Continuous Improvement
- Establish and monitor key performance metrics for EHS programs, evaluating the effectiveness of safety protocols and making data-informed recommendations for improvement.
- Advise College leadership on areas for performance improvement, supporting initiatives to enhance compliance, reduce risks, and foster a culture of continuous improvement in safety practices.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
6. Emergency Preparedness Planning
- Serve as a member of the College Safety and Crisis Management Team (CSCMT) and participate in emergency management planning, coordination, and response activities.
- Provide EHS-related input for the College’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), contributing insights on safety risks, departmental feedback, and specific EHS requirements.
- Organize departmental input and documentation for updates to Crisis Management Team (CMT) protocols and manuals.
7. Incident Command System (ICS) Support
- Actively support the Director during emergency situations, providing on-the-ground assistance and helping to coordinate departmental response efforts.
- Support ICS functions with EHS-related insights and ensure campus staff are trained in NIMS principles as applicable to safety and compliance.
8. Drills and Simulations
- Collaborate with the Director to conduct campus-wide drills and simulations, coordinating logistics, communications, and after-action reporting for safety-specific scenarios.
- Schedule and facilitate departmental tabletop exercises to prepare teams for various emergencies, focusing on EHS-specific scenarios.
9. Emergency Response Training for Campus Leaders
- Develop supplemental training materials on EHS compliance and safety policies for campus leaders as part of the broader emergency preparedness initiatives.
- Facilitate specialized safety training, such as PPE and lab safety, to ensure campus leaders understand EHS requirements in emergencies.
Operational and Resource Management
10. Emergency Resource Management
- Manage EHS-specific resources, such as safety kits, evacuation equipment, and NARCAN supplies, keeping the Director informed of inventory needs or changes.
- Liaise with external vendors to secure emergency resources for campus needs, supporting broader resource management efforts as necessary.
11. Collaboration and Consultation
- Serve as the College’s liaison with government agencies on environmental, occupational, and life safety issues, including agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and MOSH.
- Consult with general contractors, architects, and engineers, reviewing construction and renovation plans for EHS compliance and recommending necessary adjustments to meet safety standards.
12. Community and Regional Emergency Coordination
- Participate in regional emergency planning meetings, providing specialized EHS insights as needed.
- Act as a backup point of contact for community emergency management agencies in the Director’s absence.
Incident Reporting and Analysis
13. Incident Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain EHS-related incident documentation and support the Director with record-keeping, providing reports for EHS incidents, and collaborating on after-action reviews.
- Work with the Director to consolidate EHS-specific reports into broader incident documentation for regulatory and accreditation purposes.
14. Data Reporting and Analysis
- Consolidate and analyze key EHS statistics, generating reports as required by regulatory agencies and for academic accreditation purposes. Provide these reports to College leadership to ensure compliance and transparency.
Additional Responsibilities
15. First Responder and Medical Support
- Maintain current certifications in First Aid, CPR, and AED, responding to first aid service requests on campus during assigned working hours. Perform first responder duties as needed until emergency personnel arrive.
- Regularly update and restock all campus first aid kits, NARCAN supplies, medical supplies, and evacuation equipment to ensure readiness.
16. Emergency Management Public Education
- Develop EHS-centered educational materials, covering topics like personal safety, situational awareness, and hazard identification, in alignment with campus-wide emergency preparedness initiatives led by the Director.
- Lead EHS-specific awareness campaigns, aligning them with campus-wide emergency preparedness initiatives.
17. Grant Writing and Funding for Emergency Preparedness
- Identify and suggest funding opportunities specific to EHS and draft proposals that enhance campus emergency preparedness initiatives.
- Collaborate on budget needs and submit EHS-related funding proposals as part of campus-wide safety planning.
18. Other Duties as Assigned
- As an essential member of campus personnel, remain available to report to work as directed during emergency situations or as part of the Crisis Management Team (CMT), supporting the College’s crisis management efforts.
Required Minimum Qualifications
1. Associate degree in safety management or similar course of study
2. A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in environmental health and safety
3. Current certified OSHA instructor, including working knowledge of relevant regulations
4. Knowledge of crisis management procedures and protocols and/or experience working on a crisis management team
5. Current Trainer certification for CPR/AED and First Aid or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
6. The ability to read and interpret safety data sheets
Desired Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s degree
2. Working knowledge of life safety systems, including fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguisher inspections, and evacuation equipment for wheelchair rescues
3. Proficiency in MS Office Suite
4. Acute attention to detail and problem-solving abilities
5. Previous leadership experience in a team-oriented environment in emergency or crisis management
6. Five (5) years of experience working in a collaborative team environment
7. Ability to work on a campus with a multi-culturally diverse population and workplace
