Environmental Health Specialist

Job Summary:

As part of the Environmental Health and Safety Department, this full-time University Staff (unclassified) Environmental Health Specialist position helps develop and conduct training and outreach, inspect laboratories, audit research, academic, and institutional support activities for compliance with applicable Federal, State, local regulations, and funding entity requirements. This position supports campus wide programs in laboratory safety, chemical exposure monitoring, indoor air quality assessments, respiratory protection, and medical surveillance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Acts as the primary liaison for EHS on the Denver campus, in addition to spending time at the Anschutz campus. On both campuses, performs compliance and safety inspections/audits of research and teaching laboratories, shops, and other areas where regulated operations that pose liability to the institution.
• The position supports hazardous waste management activities on the Denver campus. This includes participating in RCRA and DOT compliance oversight; assisting with the coordination of hazardous waste (HW) pickups for the Denver campus; moving hazardous waste containers to storage areas requiring the operation of a university vehicle; identifying and characterizing waste; lab packing and bulking HW; maintaining HW and shipping documents (manifests, land disposal restrictions, and waste profiles); paperpacking chemicals for disposal. Position will also conduct outreach for waste minimization efforts.
• Communicates compliance findings, conducts compliance assurance follow-up measures and corrective action activities. Documents compliance findings and develops or assists with the generation of compliance metrics (includes administration of related databases). Participates in decommissioning and "green tagging" hazard abatement validation efforts.
• Assists with and/or develops training and outreach materials. These include content and format development for online, written and in-person training delivery. Conducts in-person training and outreach presentations. Prepares outreach materials in the form of compliance guidance documents and standard operating procedures. May assist with writing, updating, or editing compliance, safety or training program plans. Conducts and assists with coordination of outreach efforts on the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) campus for such EHS activities as safety fairs, vaccination clinics, etc. Other examples of outreach and training efforts include (but are not limited to) conducting new employee orientations, student intern safety trainings, TA training, and presenting at departmental meetings (i.e., administrator meetings, etc.).
• Provides industrial hygiene and hazardous materials response support for both Anschutz and Denver locations. Performs indoor air quality assessments. Performs environmental and personnel exposure sampling activities. Assists with spill response activities. Assists with maintaining testing and sampling equipment and instrumentation. Performs tests to assess adequacy of engineering controls designed for worker/student protection. Participates as a member of the EHS emergency response team. Assists with respiratory protection program (i.e., conducts fit tests, records management, develops filter change out schedules, ensures appropriate mask type and cartridge for hazard, etc.). Acts as the primary Denver campus first responder for hazardous materials incidents during normal working hours.
• Participates in pre-planning and review efforts to support the reduction or elimination of risk/hazards. Assists senior staff with review of new research protocol to inform needed engineering and administrative controls and ensure that proper personal protective equipment is prescribed. May also assist with cursory reference material and literature review to help assess toxicological hazards and inform appropriate controls. As the primary liaison for EHS on the Denver campus, assists senior staff by reviewing communications and attending planning meetings for proposed moves, new construction or renovations and communicates plans to senior staff keeping them informed of proposed Denver campus programmatic changes. Interacts with AHEC, Metro State, and CCD representatives on issues of proposed or current programs that can affect safety or compliance and communicates these to EHS management.

Work Location:

Onsite - this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO

Why Join Us:

Research Safety and Industrial Hygiene provides guidance, services, and training covering laboratory safety, indoor air quality, exposure controls and personal protective equipment.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution and 2 years of professional level experience in a similar setting such as biomedical research, higher education institute, research laboratories, pharmacology research or with a health department.
• Experience in two or more of the following: Safety inspections; environmental assessments; laboratory safety programs; industrial hygiene; hazardous and chemical waste management; indoor air quality; biosafety; related consumer protection; personnel sampling; radiation safety; laboratory research; environmental sampling; and/or training delivery and design.

A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Substitution: Master's degree in industrial hygiene, environment studies/science, safety engineering or similar field may substitute for the 2 years of professional level experience

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification: 28- or 40-hours Hazardous Waste Operator certification upon hire.
• Certification as CIH, CSP, or CHMM.
• Graduate degree in environmental sciences, industrial hygiene/occupational safety, safety engineering, toxicology, environmental chemistry, or similar areas of study.
• Previous experience in research, analytical or other laboratory settings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and leadership ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Professional and technical writing skills.
• Effective training delivery and presentation skills.
• Computer literacy and familiarity using database applications for data management and reporting.
• Ability to use multiple data management computer applications and assist others in obtaining information from these departmental systems (including writing SOP for the systems).
• Flexible to changing demands and ability to manage multiple tasks throughout the work week.
• Must be able to work autonomously with minimal oversight.
• Understanding of auditing principles.
• Basic knowledge of physical science, chemistry, and cursory knowledge of hazardous materials management (e.g., RCRA generator requirements and chemical compatibility and segregation criteria).
• Basic knowledge of the operation of IH/Hazardous materials/environmental monitoring instruments.
• Basic knowledge of occupational safety and environmental compliance Acts.
• Ability to interact with others in a professional setting, remaining courteous.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be willing and able to obtain 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operator certification within the first year of employment.
• Must be willing and able to obtain certification as CHMM within 2 years or, optional: CSP/CIH within 5 years of employment.
• Must be medically approved to wear respiratory protection in the form of negative or positive pressure respirators, including N95 or PAPR, half and/or full face mask, and SCBA.
• Must be willing and able to receive vaccinations to protect against infectious disease related to their potential exposures including, but not limited to Hepatitis and TB.
• Must be willing and able to participate in medical surveillance as applicable to potential work exposures, which may include blood or urine collection and the administration of health questionnaires.
• Must be willing and able to stand and sit for long periods, squat, bend, kneel, and walk for long periods.
• Must be willing and able to lift and carry ~50lbs (e.g., when needed for waste handling and SCBA tank worn on back).
• Must be willing and able to push or pull (with drum dolly or other mechanical aid) up to 500 lbs.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid State of Colorado Driver's License within six months of hire.
• Must be willing to be subj post-offer medical physical. In addition, you will have annual physicals and/or complete medical screening questionnaires to confirm your ability to safely wear required respiratory protection and participate in the occupational health medical surveillance program (this may include vaccinations and blood draws) and other medical tests to fulfill the criteria identified in the job description. As part of your post-offer physical, you will be subject to a drug test. For this safety sensitive position, you may also be subject to reasonable suspicion drug screenings. You may also be required to carry an emergency pager.
  
  NOTE: This position has been designated as essential personnel, "Subject to call 24 hours per day, seven days per week" and may be required to carry a pager. Position may also be required to "Stay over late" or "Come in early" to "Cover" shifts, as needed and may be required to respond to any emergencies as needed. If hired, you will be required to provide effective off-hours phone contact info for emergency call-in purposes.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Breanne Beck, Breanne.Beck@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by August 11, 2025.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE $65,088-$82,792

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.