Regulated Waste Program Manager

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Job ID

361613

Location

Twin Cities

Job Family

Campus Operations

Full / Part Time

Full-Time

Regular / Temporary

Regular

Job Code

9742HS

Employee Class

Acad Prof and Admin

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About the Job

Description of Position

The position reports to the Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and has system-wide responsibility.

This is a second level manager position that is responsible for managing the Regulated Waste team and for administering the hazardous waste program at the University and at the Fay Thompson Center for Environmental Management (TCEM), which is a permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facility.

This position administers regulated waste processes at system locations and for external customers in a manner that makes effective use of University resources.

This position requires strategic thinking and strong technical problem-solving skills due to the complexity and occasional ambiguity of environmental rules and regulations and the changing nature of research and clinical services.

This position must develop professional relationships with regulatory agency staff to clarify agency legal interpretations, advocate for alternatives and creatively solve problems.

This position must also demonstrate leadership skills necessary to facilitate compliance and reduce the administrative burden for researchers.

Job Duties

50% Program Management :

• Direct staff and allocate resources to accomplish the identification, collection, packaging, processing, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste in accordance with federal, state, and University of Minnesota requirements.
• Establish performance objectives for staff that improve existing business processes.
• Supervise Regulated Waste staff through the development of annual work plans, provide ongoing feedback through regular reviews of progress, periodic communication, and annual appraisals.

Use the University process to document objectives, feedback, performance and development plans for staff. Conduct searches for new staff and recommend employee disciplinary measures.

Promote professional development of staff and serve as the authority on work assignments and disciplinary decisions within the unit.

• Manage training programs that meet regulatory and operational requirements and encourage employee engagement. Implement cross training to assure succession, efficiency and continuity of operations.
• Manage Regulated Waste budgets.

20% Compliance :

• Maintain compliance with the Treatment Storage and Disposal Facility operating permit.
• Oversee ongoing hazardous waste activities to assure compliance.
• Notify regulatory agencies when required by law.
• Develop process for effective and efficient information management and reporting.
• Assist with response to regulatory citations. Represent the program during regulatory inspections and respond to issues raised by inspectors.
• Report as required in licenses and permits and pay required fees on a timely basis. Monitor submittal of waste reports pertaining to the storage of hazardous materials in accumulation areas
• Provide oversight to ensure proper identification and disposition of waste.
• Coordinate collection of information necessary to submit waste facility licenses to the MPCA and county regulatory agencies.
• Assure that staff and facilities conform to the Process safety Management Program (PSM) for storage of flammable liquids at TCEM.

20% Customer Service :

• Assist with planning and moving hazardous materials during capital projects.
• Suggest and promote changes to hazardous waste business processes and data management systems that increase efficiency and customer service.
• Train customer departments in use of the hazardous waste disposal system. Work directly with customers to improve compliance and enhance safety.
• Schedule inspections with laboratories that have trouble complying with waste rules and provide training or find other solutions.
• Offer additional fee-based services to external clients.

5% Manage Waste Disposal Contracts :

Participate in preparing waste disposal contracts with qualified vendors, either through Central Purchasing or the State of Minnesota.

Represent the University as the State negotiates vendor contracts and propose an independent University contract when it would be beneficial.

• Periodically review State contract vendor performance and recommend whether the University should have a separate contract.
• Manage external services contracts to assure client satisfaction.
• Review invoices for waste disposal and maintain technical knowledge of appropriate disposal facilities.

5% Safety and Incident Management :

• Assist with emergency operations planning.
• Respond to hazardous material spills or reported exposures in accordance with requirements of the National Incident Management System.
• Make sure that monitoring instruments are ready and calibrated.
• Participate in investigation of hazardous materials incidents and injuries.
• Coordinate facility emergencies and oversee emergency response activities.
• Participation in On-Call Emergency Response Program.

Working Conditions

Primary job sites are the office, waste storage facilities, and laboratories. The latter two involve chemical and some radioactive material storage and handling.

These areas are generally engineered to control the hazards but might require the use of personal protective equipment. his position requires in-state travel to the University's various campuses and research centers.

This position will be part of a rotating, on-call, emergency response program that may be activated during regular hours or during after hours, weekends, or holidays.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• BA / BS degree plus eight years of experience.
• Experience managing a hazardous waste safety and compliance program.
• 40-hour (or 24-hour) Hazardous Waste Operations Certification
• Supervisory and / or leadership experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of hazardous waste regulations at the federal and state levels.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials regulations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules for emergency response and personal protective equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise and develop staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially the ability to convey information about chemical risks effectively to people with various educational backgrounds.
• Ability to make presentations to management and employees in group settings while considering multiple perspectives and competing interests.
• Demonstrated understanding of the nature and purpose of health and safety functions within a higher education institution.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated record of establishing effective working relationships at different organizational levels.
• Ability to foster collaboration, facilitate change, and promote compliance in a complex organization.
• Ability to document employee performance and provide coaching to meet annual performance goals.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and customer service.
• Ability to develop measurements of effective safety and compliance performance for application within the academic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) Certification.
• Master of Science Degree in Environmental Studies, Science or Engineering and a minimum of 5 years of experience.
• Previous experience managing waste operations in an EPA permitted Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSD).

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning.

We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes :

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.

The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

To learn more about diversity at the U : http : / / diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here.

Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research.

Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St.

Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).