Southern Methodist University

Laboratory Safety Manager (HR Title: Safety Specialist II) - (RIS00000036)

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Office of Risk Management (ORM) advances the mission of Southern Methodist University by promoting a culture of readiness, and resilience. ORM is comprised of key functional areas, including Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Operations, and International Safety and Security. Through professional services, technical expertise, training programs, and regulatory guidance, ORM strives to protect the University’s people, assets, and reputation.

With a team of approximately 10 dedicated professionals, ORM also supports the University’s strategic Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) initiatives. Led by the Associate Vice President and Chief Risk Officer (CRO), ERM fosters leadership engagement, cross-campus collaboration, situational awareness, and proactive problem-solving. Together, these efforts enhance the University’s resilience and agility in an ever-changing environment.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Laboratory Safety Manager leads research and laboratory safety programs within the Office of Risk Management to protect people, safeguard the environment and enable compliant, high-quality research and instruction. As the University’s Chemical Hygiene Officer and Biological Safety Officer this position provides campus-wide leadership for chemical safety and biosafety. They do this by conducting laboratory inspections, corrective-action governance, and training. This position manages the safety system for inspections, training, inventories, and records. It will manage hazardous materials and waste compliance, validate engineering controls, and support laboratory design and commission to reduce institutional risk and sustain research continuity. It will also coordinate incident investigations and medical surveillance/respiratory protection, partner with IBC/IACUC and safety program leads.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the University Chemical Hygiene Officer and maintain the Chemical Hygiene Plan in accordance with the OSHA Laboratory Standard. Provide technical guidance to develop and implement standard operating procedures and hazard assessments, set criteria for control measures, and establish and deliver laboratory safety training.
• Lead the laboratory inspection program. Document findings, assign corrective and preventive actions, and verify closure and effectiveness. Manage the research safety system used for inspections, training assignments, chemical and equipment inventories, and compliance records. Keep safety data complete and current to support internal reviews and external inspections.
• Serve as the institutional Biological Safety Officer. Align work with NIH Guidelines and the BMBL. Support IBC protocol reviews, manage biosafety training, biological waste coordination, and autoclave compliance. Support the IACUC by providing laboratory safety input on animal use protocols. Represent EHS on these committees, as needed.
• Manage the hazardous and universal waste programs in compliance with applicable requirements. Collect and consolidate compatible hazardous wastes, manage accumulation areas, coordinate pickups, hazmat shipments, and train waste generators on environmental compliance and best practices. Support spill response and cleanup.
• Plan and perform exposure assessments for chemicals, vapors, and noise where applicable. Perform laboratory air monitoring for chemical contaminants using validated methods, maintain calibration for instruments, and verify engineering controls such as fume hoods and local exhaust meet performance criteria. Translate results into prioritized control measures. Provide EHS input on laboratory design and renovation to specify ventilation and containment requirements.
• Support the Laser Safety and Radiation Safety program leads by supporting hazard evaluations and corrective actions, maintaining registration and inventories for lasers and radiation-producing devices, and assisting with license or registration documentation, user authorizations, training assignments, and incident support.
• Lead investigations of laboratory incidents, exposures, and near misses. Document and assign findings with corrective/preventive actions. Communicate lessons learned with departments and leadership. Provide metrics for tracking, trending, and reporting to the AVP/CRO for institutional and compliance needs.
• Define participation criteria for the medical surveillance and respiratory protection programs. Coordinate medical evaluations and clearances, perform fit testing, and maintain appropriate records.
• Collaborate with and support the Office of Risk Management on injury case reviews, campus event operations, safety guidance, and culture-building initiatives that reduce total risk across the University.
• Other duties as assigned, including 24-hour emergency response as necessary. Maintain a valid driver's license in accordance with the university's fleet policy if driving a university vehicle.
• This position requires availability to respond to incidents at any time; although rare, call-ins may occur at night, on weekends, holidays, or during scheduled time off.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree is required
• A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience coordinating safety programs in laboratory or research settings within higher education or comparable environments
• Certifications such as CIH, CSP, or CHMM is preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required; experience with database-support software or web design is preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Requires the ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels across the institution and external partners. Must be able to multitask and balance day-to-day responsibilities with project work. A solid understanding of organizational operations and supporting infrastructure is preferred, and the ability to learn quickly is required.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, Crawl, squat, climb, kneel, stand, push/ pull
• Reach above shoulders
• Carry/ lift 25lbs
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Carry/ lift over 25 lbs.
• Walk for long distances
• Carry/ lift over 50 lbs.
• Work around moving machinery
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature/or humidity
• Exposure to dust, fumes, gases, radiation, microwave
• Drives motorized equipment
• Work in confined quarters

Deadline to Apply:

This position will be open until filled

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location

: USA-TX-Dallas

Job

: Compliance, Risk and Legal

Organization

: Risk Management

Schedule

: Regular

Shift

: Staff

Employee Status

: Individual Contributor

Job Type

: Full-time

Job Level

: Day Job

Travel

: No

Job Posting

: Nov 21, 2025, 9:20:46 PM

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