Job Description

Amherst College invites applications for the position of chemical hygiene officer. Amherst has profoundly transformed its student body in terms of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and nationality, among other areas. Today, nearly one-quarter of Amherst's students are Pell Grant recipients; 45 percent of our students identify as domestic students of color; and 10 percent of the students are international students. Our expectation is that the successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

Reporting to Amherst's associate dean of the faculty who supports the research and teaching needs of the science faculty, the chemical hygiene officer is responsible for the development, coordination, and oversight of programs for hazardous and biomedical waste hygiene, laboratory risk management, radiation safety, inventory management, and regulatory compliance. The role encompasses advising and offering training to our science faculty, staff, students, and the administrative director of the college's new state-of-the art science center on matters pertaining to the above.

The chemical hygiene officer's activities, roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: ensuring that safety programs are developed, implemented, maintained and followed; integrating health and safety concepts into processes and the strong culture of safety at the college; and overseeing and implementing inspections, inventory, and security

The chemical hygiene officer provides training on hazardous materials handling and storage; hazardous waste handling, storage, and disposal; and best practices to minimize personal injury, health impairment, property loss, fines, and liability in the teaching and research laboratories.

Other responsibilities of the position include offering chemical hygiene, laboratory risk management, and regulatory compliance direction and support to the college's Department of Art and the History of Art and other academic departments and programs, as needed; working in close collaboration with the chairs of academic departments and programs, science department safety coordinators, and the college's director of environmental health and safety; and taking appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce; and participating in Amherst's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Required

• MS/MA in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field
• Three years of safety and regulatory compliance experience in a laboratory or industrial setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to express ideas effectively thorough public speaking
• Strong time management, organizational, problem solving, and project management skills
• Experience with or knowledge of preparing technical reports
• Experience in issue analysis and creative problem solving along with the ability to provide strategic options and recommendations

Preferred

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field.

• CHMM preferred, but not required. Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer certification preferred.

• More than three years of related experience in a college or university setting

• Experience creating and delivering chemical hygiene, laboratory risk management, and regulatory compliance training programs for diverse groups
• HAZWOPER Training (40 hours)
• Experience with different types of training media, such as online and PowerPoint

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and/or telephone numbers) for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed until position is filled.

ABOUT AMHERST COLLEGE

Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college's community is composed of about 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college's scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst the perfect place to work, learn and live!

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Amherst College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs and activities on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Amherst College complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Inquiries should be addressed to the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002-5000.