Environmental Health & Safety Professional

Job Description

Job Description

Position Overview:

Merrimack College is seeking a dedicated and experienced Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Officer to join our team. The EHS Officer will report to the Director of Research Protection & Compliance and be responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and maintaining health and safety policies at the college to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This position will play a crucial role in promoting a culture of safety and environmental responsibility on campus. In accordance with regulatory mandates, topics included will be complex technical areas such as hazard control and risk management, occupational health and safety, chemical handling and storage, and fire prevention. The EHS Officer will manage, plan, schedule, participate in, and assume the overall responsibility for all safety and safety related inspections of buildings, maintenance operations, dormitories, laboratories, and research areas, construction and facilities rehabilitation sites, storage areas, etc. for the purpose of detecting and appraising unsafe conditions or activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program Development and Implementation:

  • Develop and manage a laboratory safety program and compliance activities associated with fire prevention, chemicals, radioactive materials, radiation producing equipment, biological materials, high risk equipment, and laboratory processes.

  • Develop and implement comprehensive EHS programs, policies, and procedures in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

  • Conduct risk assessments and develop strategies to mitigate potential hazards.

  • Monitor and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other relevant regulations.

  • Conduct regular meetings with school Deans and other applicable stakeholders to review and implement EHS policies.

• Training and Education:

  • Design and deliver EHS training programs for employees, students, and faculty.

  • Stay current on safety and environmental technical and regulatory issues associated with current activities and in advance of new activities associated with university growth.

• Inspections and Audits:

  • Perform safety audits of labs and other applicable locations, develop, and distribute a report of findings, development abatement strategy in conjunction with stakeholders, and track corrective action progress through completion.

  • Develop and maintain a log of completed and scheduled audits.

  • Inspect and determine that available life safety devices such as fume hoods, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors are in proper supply and working condition

  • Provide safety and EHS regulatory compliance support for non-laboratory spaces.

  • Investigate incidents and near-misses, and develop corrective action plans.

• Emergency Response:

  • Help develop guidelines for and contribute to emergency response efforts that are associated with research space operations, as needed.

  • Coordinate emergency response activities, drills, and exercises to ensure preparedness and serve as a key member of the campus emergency response team.

  • Provide on-call (after-hours) support for EHS related emergencies.

• Environmental Management:

  • Manage regulated waste as required by federal, state, and local regulations to include but not limited to chemicals, controlled substances, biological radioactive, and universal wastes across all campus locations including labs, athletic facilities, and other operational locations.

  • Manage hazardous waste disposal and ensure proper handling and storage of hazardous materials.

  • Coordinate waste removal and disposal services with the College’s contracted third party; responsible for contract negotiation, vendor evaluation, and liaising with College units who utilize these services.

• Reporting, Documentation, and Administration:

  • Maintain records as well as prepare and submit all required reports and documents as mandated by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.

  • Develop and maintain documentation for EHS policies, procedures, and training programs.

  • Perform incident investigations, report findings, advise on steps to reduce recurrence, and track corrective action progress through completion.

  • Work with the appropriate offices to maintain and update the EHS section of the Merrimack College website.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health, Environmental Science, or a related field.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in EHS management, preferably in a higher education or research environment.

• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and other relevant EHS regulations.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Professional certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or similar are preferred but not required

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to conduct site inspections in various environments, including laboratories, construction sites, and outdoor areas.

• Ability to respond to emergency situations on campus during and outside of regular working hours.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three

professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is

filled.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Work Location

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building unity within our community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts, and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students from 43 states and 42 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: Graduate School of Counseling and Social Work, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Computational Sciences, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Education and Social Policy, and the Girard School of Business. The College’s suburban 240-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in the towns of North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.