Research Facilities Safety Manager

   

Cornell Research & Innovation’s Facilities Services team has an immediate opening for a Safety Manager. This position will oversee the implementation and performance of safety, health, environmental, and hazardous material management programs for academic and research units within several Cornell research facilities. Reporting to the Director of Facilities for Research & Innovation, the position will receive additional direction and will coordinate closely with the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS), which has functional responsibility for safety across the university. This position is located on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
 

Well-qualified candidates will be skilled safety professionals possessing a strong background in chemistry and chemical safety, a focus on finding solutions, and the ability to work effectively with people at different organizational levels and across a number of facilities and units.
Research & Innovation Facilities Services provides critical support in the operation, safety, and maintenance of shared use research facilities throughout Cornell’s Ithaca campus, with total space exceeding one million square feet. Our team supports a varied and complex array of laboratory buildings containing numerous departments, research centers, and shared use facilities conducting research in physical and life sciences. We help ensure that these facilities provide a safe and efficient space for faculty, staff, and students.
The Research Facilities Safety Manager will provide leadership, guidance, and coordination in the application of EHS programs to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations within different units. The Safety Manager provides technical support and develops, implements, and facilitates educational activities on procedures and practices that promote safe, healthy, and compliant environments.
The Safety Manager’s key responsibilities include:

• Facilitating the scheduling of in-person Environment, Health and Safety training

• Leading building safety committees in conducting facility hazard reviews and other activities

• Leading the laboratory Group Safety Representative program

• Ensuring labs maintain up-to-date chemical inventories and facilitate inventory reconciliation on a regular basis

• Ensuring lab groups maintain and update standard operating procedures for their work

• Conducting reviews, self-inspections, and audits in coordination with EHS and working with lab groups to address EHS inspection findings and corrective actions in a timely manner

• Participating in accident/incident investigations and ensuring incidents are properly reported

• Working with the Office of Emergency Management on unit emergency management planning

• Working with labs and EHS to facilitate orderly laboratory decommissioning

• Facilitating hazardous waste collection and processing

• Assisting during emergency response to laboratory incidents

• Managing other safety professionals

What We Need
We ask you to submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interest in this position and explaining how your experience and qualifications match the position requirements. Your letter is an important component of your application.
When reviewing your application, we will look for evidence of these qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or chemical related field, safety, industrial hygiene, environmental science, engineering, or a closely related field 

• Strong background in organic or inorganic chemistry and a thorough understanding of the principles of chemical hygiene and chemical handling, including detailed knowledge of chemical compatibility issues

• Three to five years of related working experience in research, laboratories, or EHS support for laboratories

• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences, maintaining productive relationships, and utilizing diplomacy

• Direct experience with and strong background in industrial or academic safety programs, environmental compliance, use of toxic gases, handling of chemicals, and handling of hazardous waste

• Strong knowledge of building and fire codes, especially requirements for hazardous materials, laboratories, and chemical storage

• Good computer skills, including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Excellent written and oral communications

• Project management skills and a track record of completing work on time

Additionally, be sure to tell us if you have any of the following:

• Master’s degree in chemistry, engineering, physical/life sciences, safety, industrial hygiene, environmental science, or related field

• Experience in incident reporting, follow-up actions, and assigning tasks

• Experience in Vertere (or similar software systems) for chemical inventory

• Experience using learning management systems to track training compliance

• Significant EHS experience in a university setting

• Strong knowledge of or experience with hazardous material handling and spill/release response

• Working knowledge in safety programs involving high voltage, high power magnets, radiation, corrosives, carcinogens, live animal research, or biological hazards

• Special EHS certifications, knowledge, or experience:

  • Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) or similar certification

  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) training on hazardous waste control

  • EHS audit experience

  • Experience with EHS management systems, such as ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18000, ANSI Z10 or VPP

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell .

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions, we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell .

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell .

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell .

   

University Job Title:

Environment Health & Safety Specialist II

Job Family:

Facilities & Safety Services

Level:

G

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$92,343.00 - $112,863.00

Remote Option Availability:

Onsite

Company:

Endowed

Contact Name:

Kathy McKee

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

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Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline

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2025-03-27