Environmental Officer – Regulated Waste and Recycling

13-Oct-2022

Campus Services

60250BR

Job Summary

This position provides technical and operational support for the University’s EH&S programs to minimize risks and ensure compliance with EH&S laws and regulations.  Primary responsibilities include developing and implementing programs to comply with municipal solid waste, waste minimization, recycling, and universal waste regulations and working with university stakeholders to develop and implement a strategy to reduce waste generated on campus.  May also support other environmental programs as part of a multi-disciplinary team including programs designed to comply with wastewater, stormwater, NPDES, SPCC, RCRA, DOT regulations.  Also provides EH&S compliance support for schools/departments. Strong expertise in environmental regulations and implementing programs to comply with regulatory requirements is required.  Assists with permit renewals, procedures, program metrics, compliance reports training programs, audit tools and customer reports.  Supports the development and implementation of facility-specific environmental management programs.  Conducts periodic training for management and staff.  Participates in cross-functional project teams to provide EH&S services to University stakeholders.  Responds to emergencies and participates in 24-hour rotational on-call program.

Position Description

Waste stewardship and regulatory compliance – Co-leads efforts to implement a comprehensive Zero Waste and regulatory compliance framework.  Works with stakeholders in the Campus Services Recycling and Waste Management team, Harvard Office for Sustainability, schools and business units to establish clear pathways to ensure regulatory compliance with relevant regulations and to reduce waste on campus.

Waste management program development – Develops compliance program requirements and documentation, measurement criteria and program metrics to assess program performance with a focus on MSW (municipal solid waste 310 CMR 19.000) and universal waste regulations (310 CMR 30.1000-1063). May also provide support for other regulated waste programs including biological waste and RCRA or state regulated hazardous waste.

Plans and Guidance Documents – Prepares program guidance, compliance plans, compliance calendars, roles/responsibility matrices, technical specifications, operating procedures, factsheets, reports, audit programs, and other documentation. This includes working with school ESCOs, facilities managers, designated safety officers (DSOs) and sustainability managers to develop and document school-specific waste management plans to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Training and Communication – communicates regulatory requirements to personnel in the University community via direct training programs, direct consultations, webpage documentation, compliance summaries, factsheets, and other means.

Regulatory impacts analysis – Monitors regulatory rulemaking and industry trends with the potential to impact university waste compliance operations. With supervisor support, utilizes a collaborative process to identify and build consensus for solutions to emerging issues. Proactively identifies best practices to track and achieve zero waste goals and works with stakeholders to achieve program goals and improve user understanding and adoption.

Regulatory inspections, permits, and filings – Supports announced and unannounced regulatory inspections and compiles reports and plans in support of regulatory required filings and requests. May assist other environmental programs through inspections, O&M manual updates and training, development of job hazard analysis, staffing plans, and technical support during system upgrades or renovations as applicable.

IT tools, data, and analytics – Develops and maintains environmental databases, compiles relevant data, enters data into management systems, and provides trend reports to use in measuring progress toward university waste reduction goals. Develops and implements methods and systems for compiling relevant and accurate data sets to measure waste reduction progress and effectiveness of compliance initiatives.  Works to document requirements for and implement intuitive and accessible processes and tools. Works with the Office for Sustainability (OFS) and others to define, measure, and report on the scope 3 emissions impact of waste disposal operations.

Field Inspections and Operational support – Delivers various field-related, non-routine support activities as applicable including emergency response, inspections/assessments, data gathering/verification, needs assessments, and field monitoring of program effectiveness. Conducts investigations and analyses of problem areas, develops corrective action plans for review. May act as a primary point of contact for university vendors that provide compliance services for certain environmental program.

Other duties as assigned – works as part of a multidisciplinary team and in support of EHS programs including but not limited to air compliance, GHG, RCRA, DOT, EPCRA, asbestos, wastewater, SPCC and Storage Tank compliance management programs. Participates with various EHS projects and teams, as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• BS or BA in environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental sustainability or related field and 5 years’ relevant work experience or equivalent or equivalent combination of education/military/work experience. 

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Takes initiative to reduce waste and or implement regulated waste compliance and minimization programs.
• Proven ability to successfully manage complex programs; demonstration of the skills necessary to successfully initiate, plan, execute and close complex projects and effectively lead project teams that include senior management staff. 
• Demonstrates excellent behavioral competencies such as a strong customer service and organization skills, an attention to detail and accountability, a bias for action, a high level of integrity, diplomacy, judgment, advocacy, self-confidence, and resourcefulness.

• Possess a strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local occupational health, safety, and environmental regulations and including experience with waste compliance and minimization programs.
• Skilled in implementing and assessing EHS compliance, waste management, and/or waste minimization programs for diverse groups of stakeholders. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including training program delivery.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced operations environment, handling multiple assignments for independent operating units. 
• Experience with management of change and driving adoption for new program initiatives.

• Progress demonstrated towards obtaining a professional certification (e.g. CSP/CHMM/CIH/PE/TRUE Zero Waste certification, etc.) is preferred.
• Must be proficient in the use of technology and computers including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.  Must be proficient in database management. 

Physical Requirements

Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and field visits. Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment, be able to access any area of the University to perform designated work functions including but not limited to inspections, job safety assessments, and emergency response.

Working Conditions

The University requires all Harvard community members to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as detailed in Harvard’s Vaccine & Booster Requirements . Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ . 

Additional Information

Special Requirements                                                                    

Participates in the EHS Emergency Response Program on a rotating basis as a cross-trained EHS Responder.  Will be required to carry a cell phone and may occasionally be required to provide emergency response/guidance  during non-business hours when not designated as the on call responder.

On Campus Requirements                                                            

This position is based out of a Boston area campus (Cambridge, Allston, Longwood) and will need to be on site between 2 and 5 days per week.   Periodic travel between campuses in the greater Boston area is expected with occasional need to visit satellite campuses including but not limited to Southborough, and Petersham Massachusetts.

Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel

Pre-Employment Screening:       DMV, Drug Testing, Education, Identity, Employment

Location

USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code

396057 Environmental Health & Safety

Sub-Unit

Environmental Health & Safety

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Criminal, Drug Testing, Education, Employment, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.