Position Overview
The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist position supports Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) efforts to address issues related to workplace safety, environmental hazards and regulatory compliance. They service as the primary LCPS point of contact for Environmental Health and Safety concerns. They will assist in managing compliance with regulatory requirements in a diverse number of environments, to include equipment and facility maintenance shops, administrative offices, commercial kitchens, instructional classrooms (including vocational and theater arts,) educational laboratories, and athletic facilities. These duties also include but are not limited to managing indoor air quality, overseeing the remediation/disposal of hazardous materials, and compliance with environmental and occupational safety regulatory requirements. The EHS Specialist works closely with consultants, regulatory agencies, contractors, and other school personnel to ensure the environment and working conditions in School Board owned and operated facilities meets or exceeds all applicable federal and state EHS standards.
Roles and Responsibilities
The following information is intended to describe the overall nature and scope of the work being performed in relation to the position. This is not a comprehensive listing of all responsibilities or tasks; other work may be assigned when deemed appropriate:
- Assists in identifying training needs and developing appropriate EHS related training courses, presentations, and other safety communications for LCPS employees related to water programs.
- Manages water quality to include investigating, monitoring and resolving complaints/concerns.
- Conducts job hazard analysis and facility safety audits to identifying potential EHS concerns.
- Assists in developing occupational safety programs, policies, and procedures, periodically review all programs and makes recommendations for updates.
- Inspects/tests facilities for hazardous materials to include material suspected of containing asbestos and lead.
- Assists in identifying potentially hazardous materials and oversees removal or abatement as required for all hazardous materials found in school facilities and on school sites.
- Monitors the selection, purchase, storage, and handling of hazardous chemicals and materials, manages the minimization and the disposal of hazardous waste generated at LCPS facilities.
- Participates/leads incident investigations, root cause analysis and action item completion/follow-up.
- Serves as Essential Personnel and may be called in to respond to a facility emergency or other incident impacting school operations.
Qualifications
Below are the minimum qualifications for this job. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are also acceptable.
Education
Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Safety or related field
Experience
5 years of experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience
Licenses and Certifications
Virginia Waterworks Operator (Class 4) preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to understand and apply federal and state regulations (Occupational Safety and Health Administration/Virginia Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Protection Agency and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality) concerning occupational safety, environmental management, ?re code (Virginia Fire Prevention Code), and hazardous materials in schools in lead and asbestos (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act)
- Experience with Industrial Hygiene issue to include noise, indoor air quality, dust, and water testing and applicable consensus standards (American Industrial Hygiene Association and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists)
- Experience working in an educational environment with school administrators, faculty and sta?, including experience with laboratory safety equipment (fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, eye wash stations, safety showers, etc.), custodial operations (cleaning equipment, chemicals and application of bloodborne pathogen standards), and food service, transportation and maintenance worker operations along with common safety issues and regulatory requirements
- Experience with investigating water quality concerns; ability to conduct environmental testing
- Ability to work closely with consultants, regulatory agencies, and contractors
- Working knowledge of and ability to interpret environmental regulations governing the handling and disposal of hazardous materials in schools including hazardous wastes, asbestos and lead, and other materials
- Working knowledge of laboratory environments and familiarity with chemical hygiene plans and biosafety manuals
- Possession of a valid state driver’s license
Physical Requirements
The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this position:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk for extended periods of time; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or tools; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch or bend and may be required to lift approximately 50 pounds. May be exposed to extreme temperatures and other inclement weather, as well as a variety of cleaning agents and hazardous chemicals and fumes.
Reports to: Supervisor, EHS
FLSA Status: Exempt
Months/Days/Hours: 12 months/ 248 days /8 hours
Salary Level: Universal 12
Salary Scale: https://www.lcps.org/compensation
Salary Range: 70,551 - 91,175
Remote Work Eligible: No
Essential Personnel Disclosure
Employees who perform the responsibilities of this job are considered essential personnel. Essential personnel are designated employees who must report for work during a delay or emergency situations. A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens the staff, pupils, or the public; disrupts or shuts down business operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade. It is incumbent upon the supervisor to inform and confirm which essential personnel are required to work during emergency closings. Notification and confirmation of the expectation of essential personnel to report to work, or maintain as-needed status, will be executed with as much advanced notice as possible via in-person communication or email.
