Sr Envrn Health/Safety Tech (# 364666)

The Senior Environmental Health and Safety Technician at the University of Minnesota oversees regulated waste operations and manages environmental programs to ensure compliance with regulations. Key responsibilities include processing chemical waste, maintaining inventories, performing inspections, and responding to hazardous materials incidents. The position is primarily based at the Thompson Center for Environmental Management and involves direct interaction with the university community, making it essential for the technician to have expertise in hazardous waste management.
About the position

The Senior Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Technician at the University of Minnesota is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing regulated waste operations and managing various environmental programs. This position is integral to ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and providing essential services to the university community. The technician will primarily operate at the Thompson Center for Environmental Management (TCEM) and other hazardous waste storage areas across the university, ensuring that all waste management practices adhere to established safety protocols and regulations. In this role, the technician will engage in a variety of tasks, including the processing of chemical waste, maintaining accurate inventories, and performing routine maintenance and cleaning activities within the facility. The technician will also participate in the development and review of standard operating procedures, evaluate unknown chemicals for hazards, and operate facility equipment such as forklifts. A significant portion of the job involves performing chemical waste pickups from various customer locations, ensuring that all waste is properly packaged and labeled for safe transportation. Customer support is another critical aspect of this position, where the technician will maintain a professional demeanor while assisting customers with their requests related to University Health and Safety (UHS) services. This includes leading laboratory cleanouts, ensuring proper identification and packaging of waste, and participating in UHS task forces or committees as needed. Compliance assurance is also a key responsibility, where the technician will monitor hazardous waste regulations, conduct inspections, and communicate any noncompliance issues to relevant site contacts. Additionally, the technician will be involved in chemical incident and spill response management, responding to hazardous materials incidents, and ensuring proper cleanup procedures are followed. The role requires a strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship, making it essential for the technician to be well-versed in hazardous waste management practices and regulations.

Responsibilities
• Works in operations at the TCEM, ensuring proper storage of waste containers.
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• Processes chemical waste in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
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• Ensures accurate inventory of hazardous waste at the TCEM.
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• Performs routine maintenance and cleaning activities throughout the facility.
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• Participates in the development and review of standard operating procedures.
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• Evaluates and determines hazards of unknown chemicals.
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• Operates facility equipment, including a forklift, in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.
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• Performs chemical waste pickups from customer locations, ensuring proper packaging and labeling for transportation.
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• Transports hazardous waste system-wide.
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• Works independently in a fill-in role for the CSDP Coordinator on Chemical Safety Day and System Campuses waste pickups.
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• Performs data entry and ensures hazardous waste accumulation sites are equipped with necessary supplies.
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• Distributes hazardous waste and supplies to waste accumulation sites.
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• Assists with training of new employees on hazardous waste operations.
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• Maintains a professional image to customers and assists with UHS-related service requests.
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• Communicates with other UHS groups to address safety and compliance concerns.
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• Assists with laboratory cleanouts and leads laboratory chemical moves.
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• Participates and supports UHS task forces or committees as assigned.
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• Monitors compliance with hazardous waste regulations at generator locations and communicates noncompliance issues.
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• Performs weekly inspections for all hazardous waste central accumulation areas.
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• Assists with waste determination and evaluation of wastes for hazards, assigning appropriate waste processing codes.
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• Responds to and cleans up hazardous materials incidents and spills in accordance with training and standard operating procedures.

Requirements
• Completion of a relevant two-year technical training program or equivalent college-level coursework in physical or environmental sciences.
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• Minimum of three years work experience in a related field or a BA/BS in physical or environmental sciences or related field and one year of related work experience.
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• An equivalent combination of education and work experience totaling four years may be substituted.
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• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
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• Excellent organization skills.
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• Knowledge of chemical hazards and chemical properties.
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• Ability to successfully complete a 6-month initial training program, including obtaining OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations certification and Department of Transportation certification.
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• Knowledge of regulations that apply to hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
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• Strength to lift 40 pounds regularly and 75 pounds occasionally.
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• Able to pass a medical evaluation and be fit tested for a respirator.

Nice-to-haves
• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering related field.
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• OSHA 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operations Certification.
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• Commercial Driver's License (Hazardous Materials Endorsement).

Benefits
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
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• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
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• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
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• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
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• University HSA contributions.
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• Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
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• Employee wellbeing program.
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• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
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• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
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• Financial counseling services.
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• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.