Environmental Safety Health Support Associate

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) Support Associate provides general administrative support to the ESH Director and department. The ESH Support Associate is responsible for record retention of numerous documents, compilation of weekly and monthly reports, and supports a strong safety culture at the SURF.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following reflects SDSTA’s definition of essential functions for this position and does not restrict other tasks that may be assigned. SDSTA retains the right to re-evaluate the duties of the position when considering a reasonable accommodation or at other appropriate times. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Supporting a strong safety culture

• Actively participates in timely reporting of incidents, injuries and near misses.
• Exercises stop work authority to protect the safety of co-workers and property.
• Welcomes feedback and discussions about lessons learned.
• Actively suggests improvements to advance the SURF safety program.
• Supports strong communications with SURF management and with co-workers to ensure hazards are identified and managed.

General

• Provides assistance with ESH projects through data analysis, data organization, and participating in area inspections, as requested by ESH team members.
• Facilitates meeting room technology, virtual meeting setups, invites, and scheduling.
• Coordinates ESH and OSHA incident tracking and trending.
• Assists in establishing goals for the Safety & Health program at SURF.
• Participates in safety inspections.
• Assists with the organization and tracking of internal and external emergency drills/exercises.
• Assists with license renewal processes.
• Assists with travel arrangements as requested.
• Helps coordinate ESH meeting agendas and tours, such as ESHAC, ORM, etc.
• Manages and tracks action items for ESH and coordinates with SDSTA staff to ensure completion.
• Assists with incident investigations.

Writing and Editing

• Composes, formats, and types routine correspondence, monthly reports, and weekly documents and presentations; proofreads and finalizes documents; assures high quality and consistency.
• Assists with the development and reviews of ISO documentation.
• Produces presentations, slides and reports based on input from ESH Director or ESH team members.

Filing and Data Management

• Responsible for record retention and management dealing with ESH incidents and injuries, and technical reports.
• Receives, sorts, scans, files, and retrieves forms, correspondence, and documents in paper and electronic filing systems.
• Processes and distributes confidential and sensitive documents.
• Maintains data to archive, track and trend.
• Label printing capabilities for identification and notices.
• Maintains ESH folders on DocuShare and ESH N:Drive.

Other Essential Functions

• Maintains consistent and reliable attendance.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education

• High school diploma or GED is required.

Certifications and Licenses

• N/A.

Experience

• Experience using a Windows PC or Mac to create spreadsheets, compose messages, manage databases, etc.; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel) is required.
• Knowledge of English including spelling, grammar and composition. Experience in document editing and formatting is required.
• Experience working with Adobe Suite is beneficial.

Competencies, Knowledge and Skills

• Attention to Detail—Ability to maintain constant awareness of surroundings and ensure tasks are completed carefully and accurately.
• Organization—Ability to plan effectively, prioritize tasks, manage time, and keep order and coordinate numerous activities. Ability to work in a stressful, deadline-oriented environment that requires complex, technical information and decision making.
• Communication—Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with a wide range of audiences in both oral and written form. Communicates complex information in a clear and concise manner.
• Continuous learning—Keeps up to date on state and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to site safety.
• Initiative—Ability to persist despite difficult conditions and to make suggestions for improvements.
• Teamwork—Works cooperatively and supports others in the workgroup as well as represent SDSTA in a professional manner to all contractors, users, visitors and staff.

Working Conditions

The working conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. When applicable and appropriate, consideration will be given to reasonable accommodations.

• Perform work in a typical office environment which includes individual workstations, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and common areas such as a break room and kitchen.
• The noise level is generally low to moderate, typical of an office setting, with occasional background noise from office equipment and conversations.
• The office is well-lit with a combination of natural and artificial lighting to ensure a comfortable working environment.
• The office maintains a controlled temperature environment, with heating and air conditioning systems to ensure comfort throughout the year.
• Ergonomic office furniture and equipment are provided to support employee health and well-being.
• The company is committed to providing a safe working environment and adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations.
• Employees are expected to comply with SDSTA’s safety program.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety protocols are mandatory.
• Act in accordance with SDSTA’s core values: Safety Focused, Care for Others, Professionalism and Being a Team Player.

Mental and Physical Demands

• Regular interaction with team members, supervisors, and other departments and collaborators.
• Capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure or emergency situations.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to follow safety protocols and procedures.
• Sitting for extended periods of time while using a computer
• Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)
• Dexterity to operate office equipment such as computers, printers, and telephones.
• Perform occasional physical labor and light lifting up to 20 pounds
• Occasional standing, walking, climbing up and down flights of stairs, and otherwise moving around the office to perform tasks
• Ability to travel as needed.

Job Information

Supervisory Duties: No

Direct Reports: N/A

Work Arrangements: On-Site

Hours: M-F; 7AM - 4PM

Travel Required: 0%

Mission/Vision/Core Values

Mission: We advance world-class science and inspire learning across generations.

Vision: The world’s preferred location for underground science and education.

Core Values:

• Safety Focused: We do not compromise safety or endanger the environment.
• Care for Others: We embrace and honor the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We listen knowing everyone has something to offer and to learn.
• Professional: What we do is important to our community and the world. We sweat the details to achieve big things. Our behavior and ethics exemplify our best.
• Team Players: We provide unmatched service. We are respectful and deliver for our customers and partners. We build trust not barriers.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) is an equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. We foster a work community where every individual feels welcomed, valued, respected and heard and discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or political affiliation is prohibited.