MIT.nano job opening: Safety officer

Position Overview:
MIT.nano, a large, shared experimental facility, is seeking a safety officer to provide day-to-day oversight of the Environmental Health and Safety Management System (EHS-MS) to ensure safety related compliance and regulatory requirements are satisfied and best practices are followed. With guidance from MIT.nano leaders, the candidate will work closely with technical staff and MIT Central EHS to identify hazards, conduct inspections, develop and execute trainings, participate in emergency responses and incorporate solutions to mitigate injuries, property damage and maintain business continuity.

This EH&S position reports to the Assistant Director of Infrastructure of MIT.nano who reports to the Director of MIT.nano.

The MIT.nano Organization supports shared experimental facilities (SEF’s) across MIT, with operations focused in Building 12 and 13. Building 12 consists of 214,000 gsf state-of-the-art laboratory complex, containing a fully equipped 40,000 sf cleanroom, 60,000 sf of facility-intensive specialty research spaces, dedicated characterization spaces, prototyping laboratories, a subfab, and staff support spaces. The facility serves a research user community of over 1500 users, consisting of  faculty, students, businesses, and staff by providing a mostly shared environment for fabrication, study, and imaging of novel nanostructures, materials, devices, and processes.

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Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

Lab Safety and Oversight

  • Conduct department-wide Level II Inspections twice a year, with participation by the EHS Lead Contact and/or EHS team members. Ensure follow up action items are completed.
  • Validate that weekly Level 1 Inspections are being performed by the EHS Representatives.
  • Ownership of MIT.nano’s Chemical Safety Committee evaluating risks associated with new chemicals and procedures.
  • Actively promote a culture of safety by maintaining a strong presence in the lab, supporting staff and researchers with day-to-day safety challenges and questions.
  • Support Department Heads, Laboratory Directors, Principal Investigators, Supervisors, and EHS Reps in their efforts to effectively execute their responsibilities in the EHS-MS.
  • Communicate and disseminate information about the EHS-MS.
  • Co-chair the DLC EHS Committee, ensuring it meets at least annually to review implementation of the EHS-MS and address escalated issues.
    Ensure that new EHS Representatives are oriented to their role and responsibilities, as well as hold meetings with department EHS Representatives at least annually.
  • Assist contractors and external users with EHS and Emergency Response protocols to maintain consistency in MIT.nano site safety.
  • Responsible for ensuring MIT EH&S statutory requirements, policies and best practices are satisfied; conducting and coordinating hazard assessments (electrical, mechanical, gas, radiation) in partnership with MIT EH&S; maintaining building safety records, monitoring training compliance; communicating and participating with EH&S to assure MIT.nano’s overall safety.
  • Oversee chemical security and tracking, including implementation of a chemical inventory system, Safety Data Sheet Library and review/approve new chemical requests. Ensure annual chemical reporting requirements are met as outlined by the Central EHS Office.
  • Work with the Assistant Director of Operations to ensure a Lockout/Tagout program is executed and maintained.
  • Oversee and administer Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) Policy and adherence to the MIT Working Alone Policy.
  • Participate in the Process Technology Committee (PTC) focused on chemical & lab safety.
  • Maintain an appropriate and significant presence in all research spaces to be available to assist staff and users with their day-to-day challenges.
  • Understanding of Massachusetts DEP, EPA and Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) standards and requirements
  • Support biosafety needs of MIT.nano.
  • Administer MIT.nano respirator fit testing and recordkeeping.

Trainings and Documentation

  • Collaborate with staff to create and maintain Best-Known Methods (BKMs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Lockout/Tagout Procedures (LOTO), and MIT.nano Chemical Hygiene Plan.
  • Develop engaging safety training materials for staff and users. Establish and oversee the safety training program for all research areas in MIT.nano.
  • Serve as the main contact for MIT ATLAS Learning Center training and training groups for specific research areas of MIT.nano.
  • Create and execute trainings to supervise students, industry users, contractors and staff to satisfy emergency preparedness, lab specific and other OSHA/MIT requirements.
  • Monitor training compliance with the EHS Training Needs Identification and Training course completion reports at least quarterly.
  • Track training completion and ensure timely reconciliation of training records and groups.
  • Establish and maintain effective procedures for the safe handling and storage of hazardous production materials (gases, chemicals and waste) as well as ensuring the proper engineering and administrative controls are established and maintained for all other potential hazards (mechanical, electrical, and radiation) associated with assigned equipment.

Construction, Installations and Safety Systems

  • Supervise and review construction activities and design details as it relates to tool installation and maintenance within the facility. Serve as liaison for Central EH&S construction supervision.
  • Become appropriately familiar with building systems. Coordinate with existing DLC laboratory staff to develop and execute effective methodologies for decommissioning / decontamination / recommissioning of equipment migrating to MIT.nano.

Emergency Response

  • Act as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and respond to incidents or act as a liaison during emergencies.
  • Participate in  MIT.nano’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), with responsibilities to include, but not limited to, protocol development, document management, creating and maintaining ERT web content, implementing a training program, coordination with other campus emergency response groups, and ensuring emergency response equipment is maintained.
  • Oversee training, documentation and equipment maintenance including but not limited to: SCBA equipment, PPE, Gas Detectors and other equipment necessary.
  • Participate in after-action reviews of ERT responses and communicate with MIT stakeholders including Central EHS, Emergency Management, MIT Operations, etc.
  • Coordinate with Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory for emergency response and in addressing any other safety needs.
  • Foster an environment of teamwork, environmental excellence and cooperation with fellow staff members, faculty, DoF staff, MIT Central EH&S and the user community.
  • Establish and maintain contacts with peer institutions with similar facilities in order to coordinate collaborations and mutual best-known methods (BKMs) for operations of similar facilities.
  • Other duties as needed or required.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene and/or equivalent professional discipline required. At least four years relevant work experience (laboratory or active chemical environment). Experience working with hazardous materials including wet chemicals (e.g. corrosive/ solvents). Knowledge of chemical compatibilities and reactivity of hazardous materials. Proficiency in HAZCOM and understanding safety information (e.g. Safety Data Sheets). Experience identifying workplace and research hazards, conducting hazard assessments, managing projects and participating in engineering solutions, particularly with team approaches. Excellent written and oral communications skills as well as strong interpersonal skills and ability to work alone or within a team environment.  Must demonstrate a keen interest in training the user community or speaking to large groups. Ability to regularly lift and transport up to 50lbs. Ability to wear respiratory protection (e.g. full face, self-contained breathing apparatus). Demonstrated ability to recognize and respond to unsafe conditions or dangerous situations.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Five or more years of experience in a laboratory environment. Experience working in a semiconductor process facility, cleanroom facility, or other research lab. Experienced trainer in one-on-one interactions or in large groups (20-30 people), with the ability to convey complex ideas to personnel with diverse backgrounds and education experience. Proficient in document and data management tools (e.g. SharePoint, Quickbase, Dropbox).

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