The Workplace Safety Manager will work in the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) with duties that encompass all missions of OHSU but will have a strong focus on workplace safety. EHS oversees/manages programs and policies aimed at minimizing safety, health, environmental, and regulatory risks to the OHSU community. The EHS program encompasses chemical, bio-safety, fire/life safety, radiation safety, environmental protection as well as general safety oversight across the university. Projects and/or responsibilities in other areas may also be assigned. The Manager of EHS Workplace Safety will lead the Workplace Safety Team, under the overall direction of the EHS Director.

 

This position will provide consultative services to program stakeholders; collaborate with internal groups and outside agencies to ensure compliance with related standards; coordinate activities of EHS team; manage performance improvement activities; provide guidance, direction, and review of training and communication materials and initiatives; and represent EHS on a variety of OHSU-wide committees and initiatives. This position has a strong customer-service and project management orientation. This position is accountable for the leadership, coordination, and supervision of a team within EHS, with the goal of providing expert guidance on compliance, safety excellence, and customer service.

Leadership and Management:

• Use accurate knowledge of federal, state, local, and institutional regulations, guidance, and policies and procedures.
• Hire, train, manage, and evaluate EHS team within area of responsibility.
• Direct team activities to ensure department objectives are met using a risk-based methodology to maximize resource utilization on highest risks.
• Perform quality control reviews of work performed.
• Work with team to ensure appropriate and timely close-out of issues and reviews.
• Collaborate with leadership of areas being reviewed; follow-up on the status of recommendations and determine whether appropriate corrective action has been taken.
• Plan and implement systems and procedures to improve the operating quality and efficiency of the team, in coordination with other EHS teams.
• Serve on various institutional committees.
• Development and implementation of program promotion.

Policies and procedures:

• Ensure that requirements (e.g., local, state, and federal regulations and guidance; and other OHSU policies and procedures related to EHS) are correctly applied and appropriately described in OHSU policies and procedures.
• Develop and participate in development of policies and procedures with organizational partners and applicable committees, as needed. Conduct complex analysis, lead/participate in multi- disciplinary work groups and provide recommendations, regulatory guidance and standard interpretation.
• Identify deficiencies and advise on how to achieve compliance with regulatory requirements in an effective, efficient manner.
• Conduct ongoing review of policies and procedures, collaborating with departments to ensure correction and re-education as necessary.

Investigations:

• Use expert knowledge of federal, state, local, and OHSU statutes, regulations, guidance, Code of Conduct, investigatory best practices, confidentiality, and policies and procedures to effectively manage identified concerns. 
• Work with organizational partners throughout the investigatory process, leading investigations as applicable.
• Promptly and appropriately respond to and provide updates to individuals expressing concerns.
• Ensure all incidents referred to EHS are appropriately closed out in a timely manner.
• Document and track incidents to direct preventative activities and monitor trends.

Continuous Quality Improvement:

• Develop and implement a program of continuous quality improvement for EHS team, working collaboratively with EHS Director and other EHS teams. Routinely evaluate program effectiveness, scope and performance, facilitating operational plans for improvement and minimization of environmental safety risks.
• With EHS Director, develop and monitor program metrics to improve program effectiveness. Provide effective and timely reporting on team activities to EHS and institutional leadership.
• Identify weaknesses and deficiencies, and implement solutions to enhance departmental effectiveness to improve support to the OHSU community.

Other duties as assigned: Other special projects, as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health or related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience with workplace safety and injury prevention programs, including industrial hygiene, accident prevention and investigations, exposure assessments, confined space entry, LOTO, asbestos and lead management, fall protection, hazard communication, heat illness prevention, powered industrial trucks, electrical and arc-flash safety, shop safety, etc. and increasing responsibility for program management and coordination.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Exceptional people and leadership skills.
• Ability to interact in a positive, productive manner with providers, administrators and leadership (demonstrating sensitivity, tact, and professionalism). 
• Extensive knowledge of best practices for EHS compliance at an academic medical center and/or medical institution and understanding of risk assessment methodologies and systems thinking. 
• Expert knowledge in federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance relating to EHS compliance.
• Ability to deal effectively with difficult situations and effectively resolve complex problems.
• Ability to analyze information and construct an action plan to resolve issues. 
• Ability to collaborate effectively and work both independently and in a team environment. 
• Effective organizational abilities, oral and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to operate and communicate effectively while meeting multiple deadlines and completing projects simultaneously.
• Advanced proficiency with electronic systems and software.

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Health or related field
• Environmental health and safety related certification.
• Certified Industrial Hygienist
• Application of risk-based decision making in furtherance of organizational efficiency and compliance.
• Demonstrated leadership and formal/informal influence skills

• This position requires approximately 60% of work at a computer and 40% work in the field. Occasional travel is required to on campus and off-site OHSU locations. Chemical, physical and biological hazards may be encountered, and the employee must be able to evaluate the exposure potential to ensure health and safety. On-call coverage may be expected in emergency response and Incident Command System (ICS) capacities.

• Ability to sit for long periods of time and to travel to and within various buildings, offices, and laboratories on the OHSU campuses; use a computer for part or most of work shift. Able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 40 lbs. intermittently. Ability to occasionally work in confined spaces or on rooftops when assisting Facilities with safety evaluations. Able to use a N95, PAPR, or full-face respirator as necessary. Able to work in or near animal holding areas when doing safety evaluations with animal caregivers. Must be able to meet the Occupational Health requirements for the position.

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.