Occupational Health Program Specialist

About the Job

This position is charged with activities and operations related to the occupational health program within Health, Safety & Risk Management Biosafety and Occupational Health Department (HSRM-BOHD), which are required to ensure an effective system-wide occupational health program at the University of Minnesota. HSRM-BOHD has a system-wide responsibility for protecting the health of all employees, students, volunteers, and visitors who participate in activities related to the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. The incumbent, under supervision of the Occupational Health Program Manager, will review, update, and develop post-exposure processes and educational resources which are evidence-based and consistent with federal regulations and guidelines, institutional policies, and best practices. The incumbent must be an organized self-starter who can identify gaps and inconsistencies and develop solutions to complex technical or operational problems as they arise. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to serve as a member of cross functional work groups and committees are imperative for success in this position. 

Job Duties

50% Serve as the primary point of contact for University occupational health programs that include exposures to University animals, including, but not limited to, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Research Animal Resources (RAR), and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Review IACUC protocol occupational health information. Stay abreast of best occupational health practices with respect to animal risks and hazards and review their applicability to University programs. Actively collaborate with University partners seeking to understand changing occupational health needs in their programs and identify areas for improvement or standardization.  

30% Maintain occupational health and safety processes, post-exposure plans, and educational resources. Collaborate with University partners, the contracted occupational health provider, and local health departments for the administration of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control, Biosafety Level 3, and Federal Select Agent Programs. Provide support to HSRM safety specialists for incident response and investigations.

20% Provide support for database management of occupational health information technology systems. Customize and configure the system to manage HSRM and stakeholders' business processes. Identify areas where surveillance and reporting features can serve as tools to improve compliance with training and medical requirements.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least five years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years.

• Experience interpreting laws, rules, regulations, and/or institutional policies, procedures, and standards.
• Experience developing and managing programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Public Health with Veterinary Public Health specialty degree
• Advanced degree in occupational health and safety, public health, veterinary medicine, animal science, or other life sciences.
• Experience with managing projects related to improvements to occupational health and safety functions within a higher education institution
• Experience with computerized data management, handling health care information and/or employee records
• Experience with developing post-exposure processes, training, or educational materials
• Experience working with animals in research, clinical veterinary, and/or wildlife settings

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of One Health approach of recognizing optimal health outcomes at the intersection of people, animals, plants, and the environment they share
• Knowledge of AAALAC International, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and/or American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
• Knowledge of NIH and CDC policies and guidelines as they pertain to biological safety, biocontainment, and biosecurity.
• Knowledge of OSHA, Select Agent, and Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol program regulations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to convey information to cross-sections of the campus population in group settings while considering multiple perspectives and competing interests. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a record of negotiating and resolving work related problems within multidisciplinary teams
• Computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.

Working  Conditions

Primary job site is the office with some flexibility to work remotely. May include occasional visits to laboratories, vivarium, and/or research areas. Routine exposures to hazardous materials or harsh physical conditions are not expected. Limited out of town travel may be necessary to University system facilities or educational meetings.