Massachusetts Green Jobs

The Senior Laboratory Safety Specialist will be the primary contact for all EH&S related matters for several research lab departments/buildings. The Senior Specialist will work to ensure compliance as well as improve the safety culture of the research environment. They will practice all areas of laboratory safety and work with staff at all levels of the Institute to implement new safety programs.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Program Modernization & Development:

• Partner with the research community to implement the new laboratory safety management & chemical inventory software (SafetyStratus).

• Analyze laboratory safety inspection data and present findings to EH&S and Research Operations leadership.

• Identify challenges and opportunities in research labs and develop data-driven programs to address them.

• Develop and modernize laboratory safety training for newly identified hazards.

• Design safety posters and signage for research areas.

Process Optimization:

• Partner with researchers and hazardous waste contractor to optimize hazardous waste stream segregation.

• Work with researchers to optimize chemical storage within laboratories and ensure compliance with fire and building code requirements.

Training & Education:

• Train and orient Laboratory Safety Officers into their roles and responsibilities.

• Train and educate researchers on potential hazards to prevent unsafe experimental conditions.

• Conduct laboratory safety training for new wet lab employees.

Operations:

• Manage chemical/laboratory safety operations for several research departments/buildings.

• Conduct laboratory inspections to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and best practices.

• Organize lab cleanouts to remove legacy chemicals, equipment, and supplies.

• Work with Facilities Project Managers to coordinate lab moves.

• Consult on experimental design, operating procedures, risk assessments, and safe use of laboratory equipment and chemicals.

• Assess personal protective equipment (PPE) needs and manage distribution of safety supplies to laboratories.

• Follow up with researchers and support technical analysis of laboratory incidents and near misses.

• Maintain and develop relationships with research staff at all levels.

• Serve on Chemical Safety Emergency Response Team, including 24-hour emergency on-call coverage.

• Manage laboratory spill kit program.

• Bachelor's degree in the chemical or biological sciences or engineering required; master's degree strongly preferred

• 5 years relevant experience working in a laboratory role in EH&S, research operations, or wet lab research required.

• HAZWOPER emergency response, RCRA hazardous waste, and DOT hazardous materials transportation training or willingness to complete upon hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Strong customer service skills and the ability to interact professionally with peers, leadership, and external contacts.

• Advanced knowledge of computer applications including Microsoft Office.

• Excellent ability to organize, prioritize, and follow-through.

• Adaptable to handling unexpected issues and everchanging business needs.

• Ability to adapt to varying team dynamics of each project.

• Exceptional ability to drive multiple concurrent projects to completion in a complex, deadline-driven environment.

• Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality and pay attention to detail.

• Strong writing skills.

• Ability to create visually appealing tables, graphs, and charts to translate words into pictures.

• Ability to develop user guides, training manuals, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to think critically and quickly, challenge the status quo, and design creative solutions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• None

PATIENT CONTACT:

• None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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