Job Description

Department: Office for Research Safety
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary

In support of the Director, Research Safety (RS), the Assistant Director/Laser Safety Officer (AD/LSO) provides day?to?day oversight and support the Laboratory Safety Specialists (LSS) in RS. The Laboratory Safety Review (LSR) process is the single most important function in RS.

The AD/LSO is responsible for ensuring Research Safety meets, documents and follows?up on inspection activities (biological, chemical, laser, and radiological) to protect individuals, public health, and the environment in accordance with all relevant occupational and environmental rules, regulations, and best practices. The AD/LSO assigns and adjusts tasks, evaluates performance, monitors goals, and ensures high standards in all aspects of the lab inspection process. The AD/LSO is also assigned laboratories to inspect and will accompany other LSS during inspections to develop and maintain an effective program.

In the absence of the Director, the Assistant Director oversees and facilitates the day?to?day operations of the Research Safety, Evanston office. The Assistant Director may serve on various central, school?based, and ad?hoc committees.

The Assistant Director/Laser Safety Officer, Research Safety will support the OR mission and values by exhibiting the following: understand empathy, model accountability, ensure fairness, embrace community and value creativity. The incumbent will strive to provide excellent service when performing job responsibilities.

Specific Responsibilities

• Trains, supervises, and evaluates the performance of Evanston based Lab Safety Specialists. Leads by example inspects labs, follows up on open issues, resolves problems, meets with staff to discuss progress and goals.
• Develops, leads, and manages the laser safety program at Northwestern University. The Laser Safety Officer duties include classifying laser systems, performing laser safety calculations, and inspecting laser laboratories for safety and compliance with regulations. The LSO also approves all standard operating procedures for lasers and maintains and verifies the inventory of class 3b and 4 lasers to be reported to the state of Illinois.
• Monitors, manages and supervises record?keeping requirements in the LUMEN research registration system to ensure compliance, identifies issues and proposes solutions.
• Schedules, prepares for, performs, and documents the more complex laboratory safety and compliance audits and inspections, follows up with respect to deficiency correction, and prepares reports for review by RS and other administrative units.
• Using education and experience, contributes to the development of new content and curricula to prepare for new and emerging health & safety issues. Assists in the development of policies and procedures, web page content, and articles for publication.
• In cooperation with the Director, develops contingency plans for emergency response and drills for the Evanston campus. Participates on and supports the emergency response team. Requires on?call service and always carrying a pager.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline plus 5 years of experience in a mid?large environmental health and safety program in an academic, governmental, industrial, or commercial enterprise.
• Candidate disciplines include but are not limited to chemical sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, engineering, occupational health and safety, laser safety, industrial hygiene, and public health.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with the public, university leadership, governmental authorities, and employees with diverse backgrounds, goals, and agendas.
• Experience in higher education, research laboratories, environmental consulting, or comparable institutional environment.
• Must be physically fit to lift/carry at least 50 lbs, walk extensively, and be capable of wearing chemical protective clothing including respirators or SCBA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant scientific field.
• 6+ years of experience in the field of laboratory safety, preferably at an academic institution.
• Laboratory research experience is a strong plus.
• Knowledge of EHS safety management systems and reporting metrics.
• Experience in radiation safety, optical systems, or laser systems.
• Familiarity with standards (ANSI Z136 series, relevant ISO or IEC laser safety standards).
• Completion of a recognized Laser Safety Officer training program (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated competency in hazard analysis, MPE calculations, nominal hazard zone (NHZ) calculations, alignment safety, and control measures.
• Safe handles hazardous materials.
• Demonstrates knowledge of federal and state regulations governing the participation of human and animal research subjects.
• Experience developing and conducting training in various EHS topics.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $87,000-$100,000 per year. The offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits

As Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high?quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit to learn more.

Work?Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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