Health And Safety Officer

Date Posted: 12/19/2023
Req ID: 33249
Faculty/Division: VP - Research
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 55200 & 55201
Description:
About us:
The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possibleso that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best — advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector. VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight andaccountability services including research accounting, environmental Health and Safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.
Your opportunity:
The Health and Safety Officer (HSO) provides Health and Safety services for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, including but not limited to their research expansion into a new state-of-the-art facility with resulting laboratory relocations. The HSOis responsible for supporting change management by implementing and improving Health and Safety programs and compliance permit activities in communication with a wide range of people, such as faculty, staff, students, suppliers, other University compliance officers, vendors, contractors, and researchers. The HSO supports change management by conducting comprehensive risk assessments of new and existing laboratory locations to identify potential hazards and Safety concerns and providing information and advice to ensure compliance with requirements for biological, chemical and radiation safety, among other safety disciplines. The HSO assesses infrastructure, equipment, and processes to ensure they meet Health and Safety standards and develops a plan to communicate and involve stakeholders throughout the change process. The HSO also works collaboratively with other EHS staff, including the Occupational Hygiene Safety Specialist (OHSS), and the Manager, Environmental Protection, to perform duties across the University in areas such as lab inspections, waste management, and risk identification/mitigation. The HSO oversees emergency response processes and preparedness, conducts lab inspections, and makes recommendations for risk mitigation and Safety practicesto support operational needs for Temerty Medicine. The HSO also facilitates safety training and adherence to procedures and standards, while ensuring the well-being of individuals and preventing serious injury or harm. This position provides significant care and attention to Temerty Medicine laboratory staff, students, and Principal Investigators (PIs) with respect to chemical, biological and radiation safety disciplines.
Your responsibilities will include:
-Implementing plans and process improvements for program and health, safety and compliance permit activities
-Providing advice to others on biosafety, chemical, radiation and/or other safety requirements, best practices and procedures as applicable
-Providing advice to others on emergency response processes and preparedness
-Preparing detailed risk assessment analysis and making mitigation and Safety practices recommendations
-Writing reports on findings from lab inspections
-Probing for information from clients to assess risk level and recommend mitigation strategies
-Advising on best practices and strategies for effective change management
-Providing safety training and ensuring adherence to safety procedures and standards
 
Essential Qualifications:
-Master's Degree in a related field (e.g. science, medical sciences, engineering) or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
-Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience, including demonstrated experience with biological safety.
-Experience and familiarity with research laboratories
-Experience with formal teaching or training in an adult learning environment.
-Working knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Word.
Assets (Nonessential):
-Experience working in a large University or public sector environment.
-Professional Certification in Health Physics/Safety/Safety Engineering/Industrial Hygiene/ Occupational Health and Safety/Biosafety (one or more of CRPA(R), CHP, CRSP, PEng, CSSE, CIH/ROH, CBSP).
-Professional Memberships/Affiliations in one or more of: Canadian Radiation Protection Association, Biological Safety Association, Health Physics Society, Association of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals, Occupational Hygiene Association of Ontario.
-Experience with Environmental Health & Safety databases and database management.
-Knowledge of lab design.
To be successful in this role you will be:
 
-Communicator
-Organized
-Proactive
-Problem solver
-Team player
 
There are two (2) openings for this role.
 
Closing Date: 01/10/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Grant - Term Both openings are for two (2) year Terms, with the possibility of renewal.
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 14 -- $88,290 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $112,911. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Health & Wellbeing
Recruiter: Anita Chooraman
Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged , and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.