Senior Research Safety Specialist - Industrial Hygiene

At Advocate Health, we are committed to advancing scientific discovery and innovation while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance. We are seeking an experienced Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Research Industrial Hygiene Senior Specialist to lead and support industrial hygiene, occupational health, and environmental safety programs within our academic and research environments. In this role, you will partner with researchers, faculty, students, and operational leaders to identify, evaluate, and control workplace hazards, ensuring a safe and compliant environment that supports world-class research.

Responsibilities

Performs comprehensive safety and industrial hygiene assessments to identify and control potential health hazards including exposures to hazardous chemicals, noise, vibration, biological, radiological or other physical hazards; Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive industrial hygiene programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry best practices; Develop comprehensive sampling strategies for specific projects and work areas and performs sampling to evaluate personnel exposures and engineering controls; Leads or participates in incident investigations related to occupational illnesses or exposures and recommends corrective actions; Analyze and interpret data collected from monitoring activities and prepare detailed reports documenting findings and recommendations; Provide necessary support and guidance for medical surveillance and occupational health programs; Conduct assessments for indoor air quality, ADA, and ergonomic concerns in Research and Academic environments; Directs and interacts with regulatory agency personnel during compliance inspections for research; Understands and shares technical expertise with others, including leaders, peers, and teammates while utilizing problem solving skills; Serves as the technical resource and subject matter expert for Environmental, Health and Safety; Serve as a member of the hazardous materials spill response team, which may include response on weekends and after regular business hours; Assist with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Chemical Safety Committee, and other various committees; Stay current with new regulations, industry trends, and advancements in industrial hygiene practices, and recommend appropriate changes; Develop and administer training or educational resources for Research and Academic teammates.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science, Biological Science, Environmental Science/Engineering, Occupational Safety, or related degree; 5 years of related minimum experience; Knowledge of the principles, fundamentals, and best practices of industrial hygiene and the risks associated with hazardous materials; In-depth experience of exposure prevention and assessment techniques, understanding of mechanical systems and ability to apply this knowledge to mitigate health and safety concerns; Ability to analyze multiple programs, identify areas needing improvements, and prioritize needs for effective short and long-term strategic planning; Detail-oriented, demonstrated organizational and time management skills, and ability to manage/prioritize, track, and complete tasks/projects within established deadlines; Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally and effectively with a wide variety of individuals (researchers, staff, students, administrators, and regulators), behaving in accordance with institutional values; Committed to customer service, timely response, collaboration, cooperative professional relationships, and diversity; Ability to use sound judgment and act decisively in high-stress or emergency situations; Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills; Position involves presence in research labs, health care environments, animal facilities, and hazardous waste facilities, which may result in occasional occupational exposure to ionizing radiation, chemicals, and biological agents; Competent using PC, office productivity applications, presentation applications, and database applications; This position requires travel, therefore will be exposed to weather and road conditions; Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job; Ability to lift and carry heavy materials and equipment; Ability to climb/descend ladders and enter confined spaces to perform evaluations; Physically able to serve on hazardous materials spill response team, including ability to wear respiratory protection; May be subject to hazards (e.g., chemicals, mechanical conditions, etc.) and atmospheric conditions (e.g., dust, fumes, etc.); Responsible for setting a strong example of safety by working in a safe manner and utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE), as appropriate.

Nice to have

Master’s degree; Certified Safety Professional (CSP); Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH); Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP); Familiarity with regulatory agency code requirements, including National Institute of Health, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, EPA, and OSHA requirements

Benefits

Paid Time Off programs; Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability; Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses; Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave; Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs; Educational Assistance Program; Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job; Incentive pay for select positions; Opportunity for annual increases based on performance