Project Safety Coordinator

The Project Safety Coordinator at NRRI Coleraine plays a pivotal role in managing Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) on-site, focusing on the implementation of the Quality, Environmental, Health, Safety, and Training (QEHST) Program and contractor safety, safeguarding both contractors and employees by enforcing compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory standards.

The primary purpose of this role is to oversee EHS protocols, manage contractor activities, and minimize environmental impacts at the Coleraine campus. Serving as the on-site EHS point of contact, the Project Safety Coordinator works closely with the NRRI QEHST team to develop, implement, and monitor safety plans and procedures that support research projects and campus operations.

Position located in Coleraine Minnesota with occasional travel required to Duluth Minnesota.

Please note, we are not offering H-1B or Green Card sponsorship for this position.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications on January 15th.

Project Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) (40%)

• Serve as the main point of contact for EHS inquiries at the Coleraine site, offering guidance and support to staff regarding safety protocols and procedures.
• Develop and implement safety control plans for research projects, ensuring employees have proper safety equipment and are trained on relevant protocols.
• Conduct safety and quality inspections at the start, during, and upon completion of research projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Conduct internal EHS audits and participate in university and regulatory audits.
• Act as a resource in the mineral safety screening process to ensure minerals are tested, and the proper controls are in place to process ore safely.
• Maintain safety and quality database systems.
• Complete inspections for decommissioning and disposal of equipment, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
• Write, review, and update safety procedures and documentation to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Track project safety status using Work Otter, ensuring all safety-related tasks are completed on time and accurately documented.

Contractor Safety Management and Annual Maintenance Contracts (40%)

• Oversee contractor activities on-site, ensuring all work complies with NRRI, University, and government regulations. This includes having the authority to stop work if safety standards are not met.
• Manage annual maintenance contracts and related jobs, including fire system maintenance, gas monitoring systems, snow plowing, lawn services, equipment inspections, and additional annual maintenance contracts to ensure standards are met.
• Complete safety onboarding checklists for contractors engaged in on-site work.
• Coordinate with University Facilities Management to arrange contractor activities, ensuring compliance with building codes and facilities policies.
• Collaborate with Project Engineers to develop scopes of work for contractor projects and ensure proper work practices are utilized. Coordinate with TechOps and the University Code Department to obtain required permits.
• Track project safety status using Work Otter, ensuring all safety-related tasks are completed on time and accurately documented.

Hazardous Waste and Chemical Management (10%)

• Ensure safe and compliant management of hazardous waste at the Coleraine site to mitigate environmental impact and adhere to regulatory requirements.
• Utilize the Chematix program to accurately track and manage hazardous waste inventory, documenting and updating all relevant information.
• Implement and enforce proper labeling procedures for hazardous waste and chemical containers to facilitate safe handling and disposal.
• Oversee appropriate storage practices for hazardous materials, including segregation to prevent incompatible substances from interacting.
• Coordinate transportation of hazardous waste and chemicals, including arranging for proper packaging and shipping in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Maintain accurate chemical inventories, manifests, and records for all chemicals and hazardous waste shipments, ensuring completeness and compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.
• Complete routine inspections of hazardous waste and chemical storage areas to promptly identify and address any potential safety or compliance issues.

Training and Committee Participation (10%)

• Train contractors on NRRI's Contractor Safety Program, ensuring understanding and compliance with all safety protocols.
• Serve as an active member of NRRI's Coleraine and Duluth Safety Committees, participating in safety meetings and initiatives to promote a safety culture.
• Prepare and deliver safety training sessions, educating employees on safety protocols, hazard identification, and emergency procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS plus at least two years of experience in safety, construction, manufacturing, research, engineering, project management, or related field or a combination of related education and experience totaling six years.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, Google Drive).
• Excellent writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Valid US driver's license with a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2-year degree in safety, construction, manufacturing, engineering, or project management.
• Willingness to learn new things.
• Ability to work independently.
• Prior experience working in diverse teams, being able to collaborate respectfully with staff of various educational and cultural backgrounds and ability to appropriately navigate complex team dynamics.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Practical experience in managing contractor safety.
• Practical experience in environmental health and safety.
• Knowledge and understanding of the operation of mechanical or industrial equipment.

Situated near Minnesota's minerals and forestry resource-based industries, NRRI's Coleraine Lab is a world-renowned center for minerals and biomass conversion and their connections to land, forest, and water resources. NRRI Coleraine possesses the facilities, equipment, and highly qualified staff to conduct applied research for private and public sector clients in Minnesota, North America and around the world. The lab has a wide range of equipment for conducting studies at both laboratories (grams/pounds) and pilot scales (tons). Laboratory and pilot scale capabilities include mineral characterization, mineral processing, metallurgy, and biomass conversion to energy and agronomic products.

Pay Range: $66,000 - $75,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

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

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University 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

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. You are required to attach a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

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.

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

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.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

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).