Item 3.K-April 12, 2013
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart electronically to
marshag@unr.edu for discussion and for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR Faculty HR at 682-6114
INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/hr/compensation-and-evaluation for complete instructions.
Incumbent(s) Name
OR New/Vacant:
New
CURRENT POSITION INFORMATION
Pos
Range /
Current Title:
#(s):
Class.:
Department: Environmental Health and Safety
JCC
College/Division: Vice President, Research
Account #(s): 1101-121-0006; 1201-121-0809
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position: Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( ) Title Change, Proposed Title:
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
( ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
(X ) Line of Progression (show titles below)
Specialist, Laboratory Safety (EH&S)
Senior Specialist, Laboratory Safety (EH&S)
Pos #:
Range:
2
3
JCC:
76601
67381
EEO:
3B
3B
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
____________________________________________________________
Employee’s Signature
__________________
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
____________________________________________________________
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature Benjamin Owens, Lab Safety Manager
__________________
Date
____________________________________________________________
Director/Chair/Dean Stephanie Woolf, Dir, EH&S
__________________
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
____________________________________________________________
__________________
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Marsha Read
Date
Interim Vice President, Research/Dean, Graduate School
Action Approved by the Provost/President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Effective Date:
4/1/2013
Approved Title: See Above
Employee signs on “final” stamped approved PDQ and sends to HR for personnel file.
Employee Signature:_______________________________________________ __________________
Date
Printed Name: ____________________________________________________
Rev: 10/1/2012
Position Description - Laboratory Safety Specialists – Line of Progression
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Specialist, Laboratory Safety, positions support the Laboratory Safety program within the
Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Department by working to improve laboratory safety work
practices and through compliance with regulatory requirements and assisting the campus chemical
inventory and hazard communication functions. The positions report to the EH&S Department
Laboratory Safety Manager.
Range 2:
The Specialist works directly with administrators, faculty, laboratory staff, and students to reduce
biological and chemical risks and achieve compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. The
position reviews scientific protocols, evaluates laboratory work spaces and procedures, and assists
laboratory personnel in correcting deficiencies. The Specialist presents training and educational
materials for laboratory safety training sessions and other forums. The position may serve as the
Alternate Responsible Official for the University of Nevada, Reno select agent program (bioterrorism
agents) if Manager is not available. The individual provides assistance to the chemical inventory
function by working with other team members to receive, inventory, and deliver new chemicals as they
arrive at the Central Services facility and in managing the inventory database. The Specialist also
assists the hazard communication function by managing chemical safety data sheets and integrating
chemical safety data with the chemical inventory database.
Range 3 (in addition to R2 above):
The Senior Specialist is responsible for identifying potential risks through assessments and making
recommendations for and following through to resolution. The position develops and presents training
and educational materials for laboratory safety training sessions and other forums. The position
serves as the Alternate Responsible Official for the University of Nevada, Reno select agent program
(bioterrorism agents) in the absence of the Manager and develops and trains employees on its
importance.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
Range 2:
40% - Laboratory Safety
 Under direction of Manager, conduct assessments of laboratory work spaces for identification
of potential risks and work with laboratory personnel with the goal of improving chemical
safety, biosafety, and physical safety work practices and procedures; reports findings to
Manager for resolution
 Assess and improve elements as necessary: chemical safety training; written safety
procedures; potential chemical and biological agent exposures and exposure control
measures; incident response provisions and procedures; proper labeling and storage of
chemical and biological agents; proper labeling, storage, and disposal of chemical and biohazardous waste; and, physical hazards to include electrical safety, slip/trip hazards, moving
parts and pinch points, fire and life safety, and other physical hazards
 Monitor and ensure compliance with laboratory safety regulations
 Evaluate personnel exposures to chemical, biological, and physical hazards, evaluate
exposure control systems and procedures, and develop methods to ensure exposures and
risks are at safe levels
Position Description - Laboratory Safety Specialists – Line of Progression
Page 3
30% - Chemical Receipt, Inventory and Delivery
 Receive incoming chemicals at the Central Services facility and enter chemical information
into the chemical inventory database
 Deliver chemical containers (from small containers up to 55-gallon drums) to labs and other
workplaces where chemicals will be used
 Inventory chemicals located in labs and other campus workplaces and enter chemical
information into the chemical inventory database
 Manage, update, and correct chemical inventory data to ensure an accurate chemical
inventory
15% - Select Agents
 Assist Manager when necessary as the Alternate Responsible Official under the guidance of
the Responsible Official (Laboratory Safety Manager) to provide assistance to ensure the
safety, security, and regulatory compliance of select agent, i.e., conduct assessments of
safety, security, and incident response for select agent facilities and operations
10% - Hazard Communication
 Process received chemical safety data sheets (SDSs) – enter electronic copies of SDSs into
database and forward hard copies to users
 Retrieve electronic copies of SDSs as needed
 Assist in management of the SDS database to archive outdated SDSs and remove redundant
SDSs
5% - Training and Education
 Present training and education materials for laboratory safety training sessions related to
chemical safety, biosafety, and other topics related to laboratory safety
 Schedule laboratory safety training classes and meeting locations
 Process and manage training records associated with laboratory safety training classes
Range 3 (in addition to above R2):
50% - Laboratory Safety
 Make decisions on level of risk on safety issues and recommend and communicate resolution
and/or remedial action needed to departments
20% - Chemical Receipt, Inventory and Delivery
 Same as above
15% - Select Agents
 Serve as Alternate Responsible Official and under the guidance of the Responsible Official
(Laboratory Safety Manager) to provide assistance to ensure the safety, security, and
regulatory compliance of selected agents, i.e., developing and presenting select agent training;
developing and leading exercises of select agent written plans; evaluating ventilation, safety,
and security performance of select agent facilities (BSL-3 laboratories); and, updating and
maintaining accurate select agent registrations and records
10% - Hazard Communication
 Act as quality control and provide oversight on accuracy of data and government compliance
 Determine equivalency and ensure correct interpretation of chemical information for
categorization in database
Position Description - Laboratory Safety Specialists – Line of Progression
Page 4
5% - Training and Education
 Develop and present training and education materials for laboratory safety training sessions
related to chemical safety, biosafety, and other topics related to laboratory safety
 Identify appropriate audiences and requirements for training and ensure completion per
government regulations
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
Level of Freedom:
Range 2 - Specialist:
The Specialist has the freedom to make laboratory safety decisions on identification of biohazards
and risks. More complex Issues beyond his/her level of expertise are referred to and discussed with
the Laboratory Safety Manager. Issues that involve other EH&S functions are discussed with relevant
EH&S personnel, with involvement of the Laboratory Safety Manager as appropriate. More complex
issues related to chemical inventory, chemical delivery, and hazard communication are discussed with
the Manager of Chemical Management Services. Guidance occurs through individual and group
forums that employ scientific problem solving, regulatory compliance, and motivation of laboratory
personnel.
Range 3 – Senior Specialist:
The Senior Specialist makes decisions on datasheets archival and determines correct category of
chemicals for input into database. In the absence of the Responsible Official, the Specialist in his/her
role as Alternate Responsible Official has the authority and freedom to make decisions and take
action on issues related to safety, security, and regulatory compliance of select agents. In
consultation with the Laboratory Safety Manager, the Specialist may make recommendations for
laboratory modifications and safety devices that can result in large financial commitments.
Impact:
Range 2:
The decisions and judgments made by the Specialist directly impact personnel health and safety and
the regulatory compliance status of the University. Poor decisions, misstatements, and errors in
judgments adversely affect the credibility of the EH&S program and the University and may result in
increased health and safety risk to personnel, increased legal liability, and regulatory fines.
Range 3:
The Senior Specialist is involved with higher level risks or multifaceted problem combinations for the
health and safety of personnel and therefore may require more extreme measures for resolution and
produce a greater level of legal liability, costs, scope of resolution, or political sensitivity, and
increased regulatory fines for the University. The high visibility of ensuring the environmental health
and safety of staff and students working with the chemicals creates a unique and possibly volatile
environment for the University and community. Unsafe practices would create a diminishment of the
University’s reputation and standing in the research community.
Position Description - Laboratory Safety Specialists – Line of Progression
Page 5
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
Range 2 (Basic understanding and knowledge of):
 Chemical safety, biosafety, and environmental health and safety principles and practices, and
regulations that pertain to chemical and biological safety, hazard communication, and laboratory
operations
 Toxicology, chemistry, chemical hazards, microbiology, biological hazards and transmission of
infection, and risk assessment of chemical and biological hazards
 Laboratory chemical and molecular biological sciences and research, and associated
procedures and hazards
 Safety regarding use, storage, and disposal of chemicals and biological agents in order to
reduce laboratory risks and achieve compliance with pertinent regulations
 Evaluation, assessment, and control of laboratory hazards through monitoring of chemical and
biological hazards, laboratory ventilation and other engineered controls, and personal protective
equipment
 Incident response involving chemical and biological agents, to include spills and other releases,
fire, and personnel exposure
 Chemical inventory procedures and use of chemical inventory software
 Chemical delivery procedures, packaging and shipping of hazardous materials, and safe
transport and handling of hazardous chemicals
 Hazard communication regulations, SDS processing and management procedures, and use of
SDS database
Range 3 (Advanced knowledge of – in addition to range 2 above):
 Select agent evaluation
 Safety and biohazard training development and presentation
 Identification and categorization of chemical composite information and maintain quality
control of chemical databases
Skills:
Range 2:
 Education and coaching of laboratory personnel to improve laboratory safety and regulatory
compliance in individual laboratories without hindering research productivity or teaching
activities
 Effective verbal and written communication, specifically concerning laboratory safety
requirements and risk mitigation methods, and related technical information
 Use of chemical inventory and chemical delivery software to track and manage incoming
chemicals and campus chemical inventory
 Use SDS database to retrieve, enter, delete, and archive SDSs
Range 3 (in addition to range 2 above):
 Analytical and decision making skills
 Coaching and educating
 Class development and presentation on safety issues
Position Description - Laboratory Safety Specialists – Line of Progression
Page 6
Ability to:
Range 2:
 Achieve a high level of scientific and technical credibility with a highly educated and skeptical
audience
 Successfully interact with people of diverse backgrounds and job classifications
 Safely handle, move, and transport hazardous chemical containers up to 55-gallon drums to
campus work locations, to include hand carrying and use or operation of hand carts, pallet
jacks, fork lifts, and trucks
Range 3 (in addition to range 2 above):
 Work with students and faculty at various knowledge levels of the subject
 Garner and maintain the cooperation of laboratory researchers and motivate laboratory
personnel to improve safety and regulatory compliance
 Translate recommended good safety practices and regulatory requirements into workable
guidance that results in implantation by laboratory personnel
 Effectively evaluate laboratory procedures and practices and recommend appropriate
modifications to scientific protocols to improve safety
 Obtain approval from the Center for Disease Control (CDC)/U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Select Agent Program for access to select agents as specified by federal regulations
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal
Range 2:
Laboratory personnel
Chairs, and directors
Other EH&S professionals and
campus community
Reason for Contact
To communicate laboratory safety expectations and deficiencies,
and methods to correct deficiencies and reduce risks to personnel
and the environment; to educate, motivate, and coach to achieve
implementation of safe laboratory practices and regulatory
compliance
To provide laboratory safety services and consultation; to resolve
laboratory safety-related issues; to provide training presentations
to small and large groups
To provide guidance, seek assistance and provide EH&S services
to the university community
Range 3 (Plus above R2):
Same as above
External
Range 2:
Regulators
Service providers and vendors
EH&S professionals at other
institutions
Reason for Contact
To request information on regulatory requirements, provide
required information or materials (e.g., written safety plans or
completed forms), and/or to assist with inspections and
negotiations
To obtain information about services and products
To benchmark programs and services
Position Description - Laboratory Safety Specialists – Line of Progression
Range 3 (Plus above R2):
Regulators
EH&S professionals at other
institutions
Page 7
To discuss interpretations of regulations and other information
To present professional papers and develop or improve laboratory
safety services and programs
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Range 2 and Range 3:
Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution with major in chemistry,
biological science, or related field to include laboratory emphasis on environmental
science, industrial hygiene, or chemical or environmental engineering
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Range 2:
Bachelor’s Degree and two years of experience with significant responsibility for
chemical and/or biological safety, or a master’s degree and one year of experience
Preferred Licenses or Certifications (any or all of the following):
Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer (CCHO)
Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
Range 3:
Bachelor’s Degree and four years, or a Master’s Degree and two years, of experience
with significant responsibility for chemical and/or biological safety
Preferred Licenses or Certifications:
Same as above
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
Class C driver’s license to operate a State vehicle