Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
PURPOSE
To improve student achievement by performing duties in the environmental health and safety areas such as inspections of District facilities, interpretation of and compliance with state, federal and local regulations and in developing and implementing procedures and methods to achieve District environmental health and safety goals.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Risk Manager, Director of Risk Management Services, Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent. Method of performing tasks are usually left to the judgment of the employee with a supervisor giving occasional instructions, advice and decisions. Work is reviewed occasionally while in progress and upon completion.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB
May include, but are not limited to, the following
- Acting as a resource and making recommendations to District administrators on environmental issues, i.e. indoor air quality, hazardous materials, underground storage tanks, lead, radon, electromagnetic fields, asbestos, PCB’s, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), heat illness prevention, and wildfire smoke exposure, etc.
- Oversees compliance of Environmental Health and Safety Programs for the District. Programs include but are not limited to asbestos, electromagnetic fields, hazardous materials, indoor air quality, lead, mercury, PCB’s, pest management and pesticides (IPM), radon, underground and above ground fuel storage tanks, and the Oregon Department of Education Healthy and Safe Schools Plan.
- Working collaboratively with schools and departments, including Facilities, making recommendations to District administrators on environmental issues, including implementation and corrective strategies.
- Planning, initiating, administering and assessing Environmental Health and Safety Programs. Determining priorities and schedules to meet both immediate and long-‐term needs.
- Working with District staff, contractors and architects to design new facilities and remodels of existing facilities to create healthy and safe environments.
- Conducting investigations of environmental concerns, including gathering and analysis of data, development of and implementation of solutions and development and delivery of reports to diverse populations.
- Coordinating outside consultants as necessary.
- Annual completion and posting of the ODE Healthy and Safe Schools Program Report (HASS).
- Serving as the District’s IPM Coordinator. Completing the 6-hour IPM Coordinator Training annually as provided by the OSU School IPM Program.
- Serving as the District’s Certified Small Water System Operator for District locations on well water. Completing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Small Water System course and passing the exam. Ensuring all required testing is performed.
- Managing the District’s Radon Testing Program. Coordinating radon mitigation system installation when necessary.
- Providing expertise in water testing (sampling for lead, coliform, etc.) and indoor air quality by performing the proper testing and monitoring procedures.
- Coordinating chemical safety. Works with other departments to identify safe chemicals for procurement and use.
- Coordinates Hazard Communication program, including the collection and disposal of the District’s recyclable and hazardous wastes. Managing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) management system and providing training.
- Conducting annual survey and inventory of hazardous substances for hazard communication program and filing annual state Fire Marshal report. Filing the annual reports.
- Providing reports to regulatory agencies as needed.
- Coordinating respiratory protection program, including fit-‐ testing, equipment selection, and training.
- Coordinating hearing conservation and noise protection programs. Conducting noise testing, analyzes data and makes recommendations as needed. Working with schools, departments, stakeholders, consultants and contractors to develop mitigation and solution strategies.
- Maintaining, using, and coordinating calibration of industrial hygiene equipment consistent with manufacturer and industry requirements.
- Developing and conducting Risk Management programs, including environmental safety, indoor air quality, hazardous materials, lead awareness training, hearing conservation, respiratory protection, hazard communication, bloodborne pathogens, wildfire smoke, and heat illness prevention for District employees.
- Compiling, analyzing and evaluating environmental and safety information and statistics for various District risk management programs and reports.
- Reviewing and analyzing state, federal and local legislation to ensure District compliance.
- Maintaining regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Performing related duties consistent with job description and assignments.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of
- Indoor air quality, water quality and hazardous material issues affecting schools Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Indoor air quality, water quality and hazardous material (including asbestos) testing and analysis; UST compliance
- Hazardous material, indoor air quality and water quality regulations under EPA, DEQ, OSHA and other regulatory agencies
- AHERA guidelines for asbestos in schools
- Hazard communication law and procedures
- Principles and practices of risk management
- Modern office practices, procedures and computer equipment
Ability to
- Complete the 6-hour IPM Coordinator Training annually as provided by the OSU School IPM Program
- Complete the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Small Water System Operator course, pass the exam and maintain OHA Small Water System Operator certification
- Independently plan and effectively fulfill responsibilities of assigned area of work
- Interpret and explain policies, practices, laws, codes and procedures for others
- Communicate technical concepts and information to non-technical people
- Prepare technical reports and correspondence
- Perform various industrial hygiene tasks, i.e. air testing for indoor air quality issues, tape lifts, etc.
- Respond quickly and remain on-call for emergency situations
- Collect appropriate samples for testing air, water, asbestos and hazardous materials
- Represent the District at public and legal hearings
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
Experience and Training
A combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is appropriate. A representative way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience
Five years of responsible environmental, safety and risk management experience.
Training
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in industrial hygiene, safety, risk management, environmental science or related fields.
Work Environment
- Work is conducted both indoors and outdoors with considerable fieldwork and frequent travel. Frequently must climb on rooftops, crawl in attic spaces and under buildings.
- Exposure to noise levels ranging from moderate to very loud. While conducting fieldwork, employee may be exposed to inclement weather conditions or exposure to health and accident hazards.
- Moderate level of contact with district personnel and even higher level of contact with outside agencies/community.
Physical Requirements
Frequent talking, hearing, reaching, walking, climbing, bending, twisting. Occasional crouching and crawling. Vision: Frequent near and far acuity, depth perception, focal length change, color vision and peripheral vision. Vision to read printed materials and computer screen or other monitoring devices. Hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone or radio.
Strength: Light/Medium – Exert force to 35 pounds occasionally and/or 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. May involve significant stand/walk/carry/push/pull.
Type: Professional/Technical
Hours per day: 8
Number of days per year: 260
Status: Permanent
Salary Range: $82,257 - $110,364
Application Procedure: Apply online