Position Description *
The NOvA Far Detector Lab Safety Officer/Researcher would orient, train, inspect and advise lab safety.  The lab safety officer will ensure a safe working environment for all areas of the lab, all employees, and all guests and visitors.  The candidate will draft new and modify existing safety policies through documentation, collaborating with University of Minnesota and Fermilab Environment, Safety and Health safety representatives.   The ideal safety officer will have a good foundational understanding of safety in the workplace.  Additional training will be provided regarding the NOvA building and NOvA detector.

The employee in this position will work a ten hour/four-day work week, Monday through Thursday. There are rotating on-call weeks which can be switched with other employees, but participation is mandatory.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

JOB DUTIES: 
40% Research Safety Administration / Research Lab Safety Officer
Assisting in preparation and approving safety procedures for the NOVA building and for the NOVA Far Detector.
Working with U of M code officials to ensure compliance with the building codes and safety requirements. This includes application of building permits and overseeing the scope of work for contractors.
Coordinate and lead efforts to review, update, develop, and deliver research safety training based on regulations, university policy, and current best practices.
Assist in troubleshooting existing lab operations to address issues impacting safety, quality or efficiency.
Create new and modify existing safety policies compliant with University of Minnesota and Fermilab Environment, Safety and Health safety representatives.
Ensure a safe working environment for all areas of the lab, all employees, and all guests and visitors.  
Participates in future projects safety responsibilities and assists in the outcome.
Obtain and maintain the necessary training for safety, regulatory and data management
Coordinate the waste disposal processes.
Continually update safety records and procedures. 
Ensure lab personnel, guests and visitors are compliant with safety regulations and lab specific protocols are established and followed.  
Orient, train, inspect and advise in matters of the lab safety objectives and methods.  
Regular inspections of the fire safety system, fire sprinklers fire extinguishers, safety lights, chemical safety inventory and storage, and other safety-oriented inventory.
Safety inspections of roof top heating and cooling units, and low-pressure steam humidifiers.

20% Research Safety Communications and Reporting
Responsible for safety communications, meetings, and presentations
Prepares research reports, accumulates data.
Represents the lab to other administrators in the NOvA Collaboration, UMN, and outside agencies to make commitments on administrative policy and procedures.

15% Safety Communications
Write lab policies addressing safety regulations and lab specific protocols.
Provide safety training so the protocols are established and followed.  
Prepare safety presentations for lab personnel and Fermilab.
Create safety reports.
Participate in lab groups and management meetings. 

15% Operate Detector
Assist with maintaining and repairing general detector and building systems and hardware.
Assist in the installation and repair of water discharge systems including seasonal shut down.
Assist with issues related to the server room such as replacement of servers and hard drives.  
Assist in changing detector components.

10% Duties as needed
We donâ™t have custodial staff and require people to clean up after themselves. 
Participate in a weekly rotating on-call shifts at the facility to ensure continuous operation of the NOvA Far Detector.  

Other duties of a similar scope as assigned.

Required Qualifications
● Advanced degree with one or more years of research training.
● Demonstrated experience in safety. 
● Practical experience working in a laboratory or performing risk-assessments of research laboratory procedure hazards. 
● Working knowledge of research safety principles and practices including, but not limited to, knowledge of the OSHA and laboratory safety standards.
● Experience interpreting laws, rules, regulations, and/or university policies, procedures, and standards 
● Knowledge and understanding of safety aspects of research activities in a University or higher education setting ranging from working with laboratory-scale processes and their physical hazards, chemical, electrical, machine guarding, shop safety, etc. 
● Knowledge and understanding of mechanical and industrial safety, risk assessment procedures, hazard analysis, and laboratory accident prevention.
● Exceptional interpersonal skills and a record of establishing effective working relationships.
● Demonstrated understanding of the nature and purpose of health and safety functions within a higher education institution.
● Proficiency in use of word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs
● Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to convey information about laboratory and workplace safety risks.
 

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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