The Wistar Institute is a world leader in early-stage discovery science in the areas of cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. Wistar is committed to accelerating research advances from bench to bedside through brilliant science and distinctive approaches to collaboration among scientific investigators and academic and industry partners. Wistar’s dynamic environment supports the advancement of discoveries that will change the future of human health.

The Wistar Institute has an opening for an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager to join the Laboratory Operations & EHS department. This individual will be involved in the development, coordination, and implementation of the Institute’s EHS programs in compliance with federal, state and local laws. This successful candidate will work alongside the department’s director in preparing and implementing environmental health and safety policies and procedures.

Biosafety

Work with the Institute Biosafety Officer to ensure biosafety, chemical hygiene, and occupational health best practices are defined, collaboratively with research staff.

Occupational & Laboratory Safety

Responsible for implementing and updating the Chemical Hygiene Program, manage SAAs and institutional chemical inventory.
Plays key role with the Chair of the Institutional and Laboratory Safety Committee in developing and presenting monthly meeting agendas.
Conducts ergonomic assessments.
Liaison with University of Pennsylvania Occupational Health department regarding blood donor screening tests as needed.
Assists with Industrial Hygiene Program for workplace hazards which includes chemical exposure monitoring, biological and physical hazards.
Responsible for implementation and dissemination of the SDS process.
Ensures that emergency shower stations, eyewash stations, and chemical fume hoods are tested annually.
Works with the Human Resources Department to ensure OSHA record keeping, training and reporting requirements are met.
Conducts accident investigations to determine root causes and provides “quality” assessments to establish corrective and preventive actions.
Manages occupational health program requirements for employees and maintains records in coordination with occupational health provider.
Responds to chemical spills, odor complaints, and conducts comprehensive accident investigations when necessary.
Conducts walk-through of labs and other workplace areas to assess compliance of safety policies and regulations and to identify existing and potential accident and health hazards.

Records and maintains file of lab inspection reports as well as clearance letters for fit testing. Recommends corrective, preventative measures, as appropriate.

Environmental Management

Oversees waste collection and disposal operations and supervises responsible contractors and Wistar staff in these activities, including chemical, biological and domestic waste, to ensure compliance with city, state and federal regulations.
Oversees compliance with EPA and city stack emission standards and files annual permits.
Conducts Air Emissions Inventory and submits respective documentation to Philadelphia AMS.

Radiation Safety

Acts as liaison with University of Pennsylvania Radiation Safety Office.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

Responds to, and assists with, the mitigation of emergencies and spills.
Investigates accidents and incidents.
Coordinates Crisis Management drills and assist with Crisis management plan review.

Fire Safety

Responsible for compliance with city fire regulations, including oversight of signage, detection and alarm systems, fire extinguisher inspections, conducting evacuation drills and employee training.

Training

Designs, develops, and provides formal and informal education and training, including online training modules. Programs include: New Employee and Annual Refresher - Employee Safety Orientation (includes basic fire safety and Crisis Management Plan Orientation), Annual Bloodborne Pathogens Training, Hazardous Materials Shipment, Chemical Hygiene Review, Animal Facility Safety Orientation, Physical Plant Staff Training, Security & Animal Facility Staff Training, and BSL 3 Facility Training.

Miscellaneous Activities

Inspects Institute facilities to ensure compliance with safety policies and regulations; identifies existing and potential accident and health hazards; recommends corrective and preventative measures, as appropriate; halts any operation or activity that constitutes an imminent hazard to personnel or equipment.
Maintains a database of all hazardous biological and chemical agents in the Institute.
Assist with safety issues with all Institute insurance underwriters.

Performs other duties as assigned.

A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health/ Environmental Science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of safety experience, preferably at an academic biomedical research institution or university. Supervisory experience is preferred.

The Wistar Institute is located in the University City area of Philadelphia, in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania Campus. Wistar provides resources to its faculty and staff that enable them to conduct cutting edge collaborative research and provides for outstanding intellectual environments and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Wistar Institute is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The Wistar Institute is especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, mentoring, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of our academic/research community.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.

For more information about The Wistar Institute visit our website at www.wistar.org.

It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, citizenship, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), pregnancy, caregiver status, domestic or sexual violence victim status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or on the basis of genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, with respect to all terms and conditions of employment.

Other details

The Wistar Institute jobs

Laboratory Operations & EHS - Environmental Health & Safety Manager