Senior EHS Specialist - Construction and Renovation

This position is a member of EHS’s Occupational & Construction Safety, and Public Health (OCSPH) division and is responsible for the development and implementation of environmental and construction safety programs for construction and remediation projects within the various schools and units within the University.   The position is a resource to Project Managers to assist them in implementing their environmental compliance and construction related program responsibilities for their respective projects.  Primary responsibilities of this role are to work with the construction project teams to identify EH&S issues and risks during the planning, design, construction, and closeout phases of projects, and assist the Project Managers with maintaining compliance with Federal, State, and Local construction safety and environmental laws.    

This position requires strong knowledge of construction techniques and methods and how they relate to potential environmental and safety issues for a project.  Complex support may include building occupant & resource protection, continued operation and future use of unique building systems, general construction safety, fire prevention, asbestos, lead-based paint, soil management, PCBs in building materials and other hazardous wastes/conditions. 

• Focused on Construction and Renovation, the position will support project managers, architects, general contractors, subcontractors by working with third party construction safety and environmental professionals, and internal EHS groups to identify and mitigate environmental health and safety risks for projects, ensuring compliance with local, State and Federal regulations. Ensure stakeholder involvement by working closely with the Office of General Counsel, Harvard Public Affairs and Communications, as well as other Harvard stakeholders.
• Manages the University’s core construction safety programs, including but not limited to, Contractor Safety Assessment Programs, Contractor Drug Testing Program, Project Design Review Process, EHS Project lifecycle Program (Design Review, Hazard Assessment, Project Kickoff, Project Support, Validation, etc.), Contractor Community Coordination, Construction Safety Standard and Construction and Renovation KPI management.  
• Interfaces with applicable regulatory agencies, managing 3rd party EHS consultants, ensuring University compliance in managing construction safety and environmental programs to include inspections and documentation. 
• Builds, supports, and maintains an environment that fosters teamwork, collaboration, excellence, respect, inclusion, and accountability. Ability to lead through influence rather than authority.
• Works with architects, engineers and designers to incorporate environmental design criteria into plans and specifications.  Provides technical assistance to the project teams regarding environmental issues during a project. Prepares, coordinates, and tracks on behalf of the project manager request for proposals, specifications, and plans for soil management, stormwater, groundwater, hazardous materials, and other environmental issues that may be relevant to the construction process.  Maintains all documentation associated with these tasks.
• Provides regular reports to project managers and EHS management regarding the status of environmental and safety issues for their projects.  Manages and reviews environmental consultant’s work, to ensure compliance, timeliness and technical accuracy.  Regularly attend construction meetings.
• Communicates environmental and safety requirements to contractors and provides routine environmental health and safety compliance inspections of construction sites, as necessary.  Proactively identifies and reports on environmental concerns, hazards, or risks to project managers.
• Interfaces with regulatory agencies regarding proposed regulations, regulatory interpretations, compliance negotiations, permits, regulatory reform and related activities.  Act as project liaison between the regulatory agencies and Harvard school/units.
• Reviews architectural design documents and specifications to identify potential issues related to EHS concerns during design, construction and building operation.
• Coordinates with EHS management team and staff to integrate EHS requirements into construction projects and assist with post-construction transition to building occupancy.  Fosters construction-related competency among EHS professional staff.
• Participates in a rotating on-call EHS emergency response program.  Responds to and mitigates emergencies involving hazardous materials during and after business hours. 

Working Conditions:

• Participate in EH&S Emergency Response Team on rotating basis.
• Will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours with other EHS staff.
• Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and field visits.
• Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment, be able to access any area of the University to perform designated work functions including but not limited to inspections, job safety assessments, and emergency response.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required, preferably in technical or scientific discipline related to environmental health and safety subjects, with at least 7-10 years’ experience in development and/or implementation of industrial/institutional environmental, health, and safety compliance programs.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office products, including Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.  Candidate must attain expertise in use of other common scheduling and communications software in use at Harvard, including Microsoft Outlook.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in environmental engineering, science, or environmental health and safety related field.
• The candidate must possess strong working knowledge of all federal, state, and local health, safety, and environmental regulations. 
• The person must be skilled in interpretation of requirements and implementation of safety, health, and environmental compliance programs. 
• The position requires excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• He or she must have excellent computer skills including word-processing, database, and spreadsheet applications. 
• Ability to function in a position designed to serve independent operating units in a decentralized environment. OSHA 40 hour HAZWOPER training and current OSHA 8 Hour refresher required. 
• Certified Safety Professional via BCSP.

Special Requirements

Participates in EHS Emergency Response Program on rotating basis, as a cross-trained EHS staff member, will be required to carry a mobile phone and respond to emergencies during non-business hours. Periodic participation on-site during off hours, holidays, and weekends may be required to support projects.

Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, Drug Test, CORI, References

Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel

#LI-JD3

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit  Harvard's Salary Ranges  to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.