Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

The Safety Specialist is responsible for supporting a safe, compliant, and family-centered environment. This role focuses on implementing and maintaining safety programs that protect patients, families, visitors, and staff, while meeting regulatory standards and the unique needs of a pediatric population. The ideal incumbent brings strong knowledge of hospital safety regulations, including but not limited to The Joint Commission, OSHA, federal, state, and local codes and regulations, along with sensitivity to working in a child- and family-focused healthcare setting. This position will also have additional responsibility for other safety and quality improvement initiatives within the organization.

This is a 0.8 FTE (32 hours per week) hybrid opportunity with an expectation of working onsite at our St. Paul campus three days per week, with additional onsite presence as needed to support the role. Initial training will be conducted 100% onsite. The position follows standard business hours, Monday through Friday.

Compensation & Benefits 

The annual salary range for this opportunity is $80,828 to $121,264, with a median salary of $101,046. Pay is dependent on several factors including relevant work experience and internal equity. Salary is just one component of the compensation package for employees. Gillette supports career progression and offers a competitive benefits package, including a retirement saving match, tuition and certification reimbursement, paid time off, and health and wellness benefits for .5 FTE and above.

Purpose of Position

Maintains a working knowledge of external regulatory agencies, including certification, accreditation and best practices requirements for Emergency Management, Safety, and the Environment of Care.  Communicates regulatory requirements to staff and completes compliance reporting requirements for hazardous materials, safety management plans and emergency management plans. Maintains the Emergency Management and Environment of Care chapters of the Joint Commission.  Provides environmental testing and research on a routine basis for ongoing construction, safety, environmental concerns, quality monitoring, or work practices. Maintains an effective working relationship with Regions Hospital facilities, emergency management and security staff. 

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Utilizes investigative techniques, interprets data, prepares reports, and identifies corrective measures.


• Interprets and translates regulatory compliance requirements related to Joint Commission, ABC survey, CARF, Department of Health, OSHA or other regulatory agencies.


• Maintains hazardous waste and materials storage or disposal documentation.


• Determines schedule for compliance in safety surveys with appropriate follow up.


• Implements disaster drills or response to actual events.


• Provides appropriate HICS response and documentation.


• Acts as the safety officer in the absence of the manager.


• Conducts Environment of Care Surveys (safety audits) in all Gillette departments and locations 2x per year.


• Conducts emergency evacuation equipment training (multi-story facilities).


• Conducts fire drills, safety exercises, and security response drills.


• Conducts quality testing for Environmental Services (EVS) and prepares summary reports of results.


• Conducts education and competency verification for EVS.


• Manages the MSDS (SDS) Online program.


• Displays competence in technology required of position.


• Uses special testing equipment or measuring devices for the determination of environmental or physical factors in the workplace.


• Participates in special studies and monitoring programs to determine environmental conditions.


• Takes samples of work materials to detect and evaluate employee risks.


• Reviews safety policies with appropriate department representatives to identify best practice in safety.


• Identifies new regulation and writes new policy to meet new requirements.


• Acts as representative on metro-wide committees focused on safety, emergency management or hazardous waste compliance.


• Acts as committee chair for the Safety Committee.

Qualifications 

Required 

• Bachelor of Science in safety/ industrial hygiene or related field. Five or more years of emergency management and/or safety experience in a health care setting may be substituted for degree requirement. 


• Must achieve FEMA emergency management institute certification for IS 100, IS 200, IS 700, and IS 800 within one year of hire in order to respond to regional level events.

Preferred 

• Minimum five years related experience which includes safety compliance and emergency   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Excellent customer service skills


• Ability to communicate and deal effectively with people and meet customer expectations


• Computer experience using Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint. Ability to learn new skills/software as required


• Ability to operate testing equipment and analyze data


• Able to deal with emergency management response situations to act as a emergency management resource in disaster or drill events


• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality


• Travel to various sites

At Gillette Children’s, we foster a culture where every team member feels a sense of belonging and purpose. We are dedicated to building an environment where all feel welcomed, respected, and supported. Our values are embedded at the heart of our culture. We act first from love, embrace the bigger picture, and work side-by-side with our patients, families, and colleagues to help every child create their own story. Together, we work to ensure patients of all backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential.

Gillette Children's is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of an individual's race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or gender identity, military status or any other class protected by federal, state or local laws.

Gillette Children’s is a global beacon of care for patients with brain, bone and movement conditions that start in childhood. Our research, treatment and supportive technologies enable every child to lead a full life defined by their dreams, not their diagnoses.

To learn more about working at Gillette Children's, please visit https://www.gillettechildrens.org/careers.

Gillette Children's participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) E-Verify program which is an internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Gillette will give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS or the Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before Gillette takes any further action. Please visit https://www.e-verify.gov/ for further details regarding e-verify.