Laboratory Safety Program Manager

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Position Title:

Laboratory Safety Program Manager

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Environmental Health & Safety Specialist III

Job Duties:

The Laboratory Safety Program Manager serves as the University’s Chemical Hygiene Officer and works with instructional, research, and other laboratory and shops personnel as well as facilities personnel to implement and oversee laboratory safety programs to promote compliance and safe operations.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Serves as Chemical Hygiene Officer - 25%

· Assists departments with the development and updating of Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHPs) and departmental level health and safety plans.

· Develops and revises templates for CHPs and for standard operating procedures (SOPs).

· Trains group members to develop their own SOPs for hazardous operations.

· Audits the effectiveness of safety plans and SOPs and provide constructive feedback to departments and other groups to improve and enhance their safety programs.

Department Level Safety Program Assistance – 25%

· Assists departments/groups to establish and maintain safety committees, to conduct safety self-audits, and to develop department/group level training programs. Attends safety committee meetings and participate in self-audits frequently when establishing new safety committees and as needed when the committee is established.

Training – 15%

· Develops, designs, and presents laboratory and shop safety training programs using several modes for faculty, staff, students, T.A.s, and other lab-related personnel. These programs include training for the recognition and control of specific and general chemical hazards, physical hazards such as non-ionizing radiation and magnetic fields, and other hazardous operations that research, teaching, and shops users may encounter.

Hazard Assessment – 15%

· Provides written hazard assessments and recommends controls for UWM laboratories, shops, and other non-traditional student and research “labs.” Evaluates the effectiveness of controls including testing fume hoods and exposure monitoring. Reviews and approves department, unit, or group level SOPs.

Compliance Activities – 10%

· Independently interprets federal, state and local rules and regulations; creates and implements written programs, procedures or policies for UWM to comply with relevant regulatory agencies. Collects and organize data, prepare reports, and provide other documentation necessary for submission to internal and external auditors or inspectors.

Incident Response and Investigation – 5%

· Provides assistance during chemical emergencies and provide advice or assistance in the cleaning of chemical spills. Investigate incidents and “near misses” and document such investigations. Evaluate corrective actions taken and recommend additional methods to prevent a reoccurrence of similar incidents.

General – 5%

· Provides excellent customer service in a professional manner and serve as a model representative for UWM and the division. Collaborate with internal and external laboratory and facility safety professionals to enhance UWM’s laboratory and shop safety programs. Track and maintain measurable program metrics. Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Provides expert knowledge and guidance to internal and external stakeholders including leadership in a specialized area of safety such biosafety, chemical, hazardous materials, agriculture, lake, radiation, and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

• Accurately documents violations and regulation changes and effectively communicates necessary findings to the appropriate authorities

• Reviews industry updates and directs the development of safety communications and associated staff

• Manages the logistics of a safety program and is responsible for its implementation and operational success

• Leads the day-to-day activities of a health and safety work unit

School/College/Division Description:

The Division of Finance and Administrative Affairs delivers essential business services that provide a foundation for UWM’s student success, research excellence, community engagement, climate and culture, and visibility and image.

The departments in Finance & Administrative Affairs provide a wide array of services to steward and facilitate the management of the university’s primary resources: human capital, finances, facilities, and information technology. FAA staff perform the accounting functions, plan for building construction and remodeling, provide technology infrastructure and enterprise IT services and resources, maintain healthy and safe research environments, provide security and protective services, clean and maintain the campus buildings and grounds, ensure fiscal integrity of campus financial operations, and provide legal advice and representation.

Consistent with UWM’s guiding values, we strive in all we do to model and promote innovations and collaboration, integrity and responsibility, positive transformation of individuals, transparent and inclusive decisions, a caring community, stewardship of resources, diversity in all its definitions, and pride in our vital role.

Facilities, Planning and Management is committed to promoting respect and civility in the workplace. Our staff serves as role models by practicing exemplary behaviors when working with customers, fellow faculty and staff members, students, and visitors. The mission of the department is to provide a safe, sustainable, and accessible physical environment that supports learning, research, working, living, and recreation. The organization supports the academic and strategic objectives of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with commitment and pride in everything they do.

Required Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering, environmental health and safety (EHS), or industrial hygiene discipline or a related field an equivalent combination of education and experience relating to this position

· Minimum 2 years of research (i.e., chemical, biological, radiological) safety experience

· Experience providing education and training for laboratory staff in: chemical or research safety, proper laboratory practices, or techniques for safe handling of research materials (i.e., chemical, biological, radiological) and equipment

· Detailed knowledge of federal and state health and safety regulations and codes relating to laboratories

· Experience in conducting inspections or investigations

· Experience with report writing or prescribing hazard mitigation techniques and controls

· Must possess a valid Wisconsin Driver license (or other such valid operator’s permit recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation) and be able to meet or exceed the minimum requirements for driving on state business as detailed here: https://uwm.edu/safety-assurances/programs/risk-management/drivers/.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Master’s degree in chemistry, biology, engineering or other science-related degree, environmental health and safety, industrial hygiene, or a related field

· Four (4) or more years of chemical or research safety experience

· Experience as a Chemical Hygiene Officer

· Experience working in a university or higher education setting

· Experience as a Biological Safety Officer or Laser Safety Officer

· Possess a Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMM), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification

· Possess 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training

· Experience creating/updating websites

Compensation:

The starting salary for this role will be between $65,000 - $78,000 per year, but the final salary offer will be contingent upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated throughout the selection process.

Additional Information:

The selected candidate must complete a Vehicle Use Agreement application which allows a review of driver records to compare the candidate’s driving record to the University Driver Authorization Standards (Risk Management – Safety & Assurances). Employment is contingent upon successfully meeting these requirements.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Selected candidates will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. 

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a cover letter and resume addressing your professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.  

Note: Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. 

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates’ application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications. Additional documents submitted aside from a cover letter and resume will not be reviewed. 

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

This is a continuous recruitment with an initial review date of 11/12/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 11/08/2026. Applications submitted after 11/08/2026 may not be reviewed.

Questions about the position should be directed to Trevor Maloney at maloney3@uwm.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

About Us

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is Wisconsin’s second-largest university, with a unique dual mission of access and research to provide high-quality education for students from all backgrounds. UWM is one of 187 top research universities recognized as “R1” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

At UWM, we are committed to creating positive employee experiences, so our team members are able to thrive and excel in their work. UWM offers a comprehensive benefits package and contributes toward the cost of several benefit plans. Employees with a qualifying position also receive an extensive leave package including vacation, sick leave (with no expiration), personal holiday, and paid legal holidays. Please visit this link to view summary benefits information (Compensation figures are for example purposes only).