Senior Manager for -Research Safety Progams

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
• Salary Range: $120,000 - $135,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, the Senior Manager is responsible for strategic leadership of the Research Safety Operations, and establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders from the University community, including Principal Investigators, Facilities and Compliance teams, Design and Construction, Public Safety and others to ensure the consistent delivery of EH&S services and guidance across the University's research enterprise, at all campuses and affiliated locations. The Senior Manager provides leadership, coaching and support to their staff, and key input to the overall management of Research Safety programming. In partnership with managers and leaders of the EH&S program areas, the Senior Manager will serve as a senior member of the Research Safety Program, helping establish the initiation and execution of safety-related operations and projects across all disciplines and promoting best practices within the organization. The Senior Manager will serve as a primary representative for EH&S initiatives and services on behalf of the organization.

SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and supervision to the Research Safety Operations Team, working across multiple campuses, while fostering timely service, expert guidance, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and an overall high standard for research safety and compliance.
• Leads the team of six (6) Safety Advisors in the development, implementation and on-going monitoring of a robust research safety survey program.
• Effectively delegates responsibilities to staff and establishes reliable feedback system for facilitating and monitoring progress of assignments.
• Establishes and implements short and long-term team goals and objectives to ensure effective integration of programs between EH&S program teams and University stakeholders, as well as continuously monitors and evaluates operational effectiveness.
• Serves as the primary technical research safety and compliance resource for the Safety Advisor team and University stakeholders.
• Manages efforts to prioritize and conduct hazard analysis and risk assessment in University research operations to identify areas of emerging safety and compliance needs and works closely with staff to ensure effective risk mitigation in the continued support of research operations.
• Serves as a primary contact for Principal Investigator on-boarding, as well as ongoing relationship management.
• Integrates EH&S programs and operations to ensure best practices and coordination of services and messaging. Pursues necessary information and initiate communications, both internally and among external partners and stakeholders, to advance initiatives and programming.
• Leads the FDNY laboratory permit program ensuring its structured management and effective collaboration with University stakeholders to ensure successful issuance of laboratory permits.
• Performs accident/incident investigations across all University operations, conducts root cause analysis, proposes necessary corrective action(s) for accident prevention.
• Establishes standards for reporting and other structural components of the Research Safety program to ensure professionalism and consistency.
• Develops, maintains and/or updates, as needed, critical EH&S policies and plans, including Chemical Hygiene Plans and other materials necessary to support a culture of safety throughout the University.

• Serves as an active participant in meetings of committees and working groups.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of health and safety regulations and keep abreast of changes to laws and regulations through networking, seminars, continuing education, and scientific literature.

• Supports the adequate, qualified staffing of relevant programs through participation in interview committees, candidate reviews and other roles, as needed.
• Represents EH&S at University, local, regional and national conferences, networking events, and establish networks of internal stakeholders and external peers to integrate best practices and services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The Senior Manager will promote and actively drive collaborative relationships among EH&S colleagues, University administration, and peers to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of biological, chemical and radiation safety program elements. Program elements include but are not limited to hazard assessments and preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), laboratory safety surveys, specialty training, identification and support of priority laboratories, accident investigations and emergency spill/incident response, which may occur during non-working hours. Coordinate with Facilities and Capital Project Management where activities of the departments affect laboratory safety operations. Ensure effective coordination with Public Safety in planning for and responding to emergencies.

Must be effective proponent of EH&S programs and work with other University departments, including advising on research laboratory design and ongoing interaction with Facilities on safety-related infrastructure issues. Develop professional contacts at peer institutions with staff performing similar activities. Be able to expand skill set to perform in other program areas (Biological, Environmental, Radiation and Occupational Safety) and provide cross-coverage in these areas.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus 5 years of related experience. An advance degree in a related scientific, health and safety field such as environmental management, public health, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, or safety engineering, or management may substitute in part for experience, along with a minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in leadership and personnel management. Professional certification (ASP, CSP, CIH) is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

Must be able to effectively work with Facilities Management, Public Safety, Human Resources and other applicable departments to align campus resources in support of the University's research enterprise. The position requires the ability to create an effective and positive team environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and exercise sound judgment are required.

Other Requirements

Knowledge of the structure of occupational and environmental health and safety activities related to biomedical research is desired. Safety training experience preferred. OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification preferred; RCRA and DOT certifications a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.