Assistant Director, Environmental, Safety, and Security

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a diverse, exciting, and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

At NRAO, we have an exciting opportunity for a safety champion! The Environmental, Safety and Security (ES&S) Department is seeking a dynamic Assistant Director (AD) to join the Observatory’s senior management team to carry out the strategic vision and management of all Observatory domestic and international risk identification and assessment functions for the ES&S operations. This position reports to the Observatory Director, and is deemed a safety sensitive position as noted in the position requirements section.

The AD, ES&S plans, organizes, and directs the Observatory safety and environmental protection programs; measures compliance with federal and multi-state health, safety and fire codes and implements measures to reduce or prevent safety hazards, dangers or accidents in areas of hazardous materials, fire, life, occupational and/or industrial hygiene safety; is responsible for oversight of the environmental program.

This position serves as the safety representative for current and future Observatory projects and programs; member of the ALMA Safety Advisory Group, and as the Associated Universities Inc. Corporate Safety Manager.

The location for the position will be primarily based at one of our sites (Charlottesville, VA, Socorro, NM or Green Bank, WV) and partial teleworking arrangements will be considered.

What You Will be Doing:

• Reviewing, implementing, and administering all aspects of the Corporate and Observatory environment, safety, and security programs, complying with all Corporate/Observatory applicable safety codes. And ensuring compliance with the relevant ES&S responsibilities of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Cooperative Agreement.
• Developing, recommending and implementing policy on health/safety protection; developing accident prevention and loss control systems and programs and ensuring implementation throughout the Observatory.
• Advising, coordinating with and providing technical guidance to Observatory staff and management regarding environment, safety, security, policies and procedures.
• Monitoring worker's compensation program; overseeing investigations; analyzing trends to identify potential areas of ES&S compliance vulnerability and recommending/ developing/implementing corrective action plans to eliminate or reduce risk and financial loss.
• Providing technical leadership to a geographically dispersed staff of at least five ES&S team members with an emphasis on building and maintaining a culture of trust, mutual collaboration, accountability, and excellence within the department and Stakeholders. Seeking to also increase the diversity and inclusion of the department workforce through robust recruiting and onboarding practices.
• Liaising with various internal and external stakeholders – managers, auditors, regulatory officials, architects and engineers, etc. - to review existing buildings and future construction plans to ensure current compliance and recommendations with fire, health, security, and safety code analysis.
• Planning, directing, and reviewing the functions and activities of emergency services including the Fire Brigade, Emergency Medical Services, and rope rescue teams to provide preparedness training, emergency plans and procedures in response to security situations and crisis management activities, while maintaining safety training and accident recordkeeping with Federal and State OSHA standards.
• Providing advice to the ALMA Director on the HSS&E matters on ALMA activities in Chile, in accordance with the priorities across the Executives and the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO).
• Collaborating with other Observatory departments (e.g., Human Resources, Program Management, Operations, etc.) to direct ES&S compliance issues and/or questions to appropriate existing channels for investigation and resolution, consulting with Legal Counsel as needed.
• Preparing and managing annual Observatory ES&S budget; Compiling and reporting budget estimates and information for special projects.
• Managing, tracking, and coordinating the deliverables for all projects that require compliance with NEPA, environmental permitting, land use permit applications and providing technical guidance regarding disposition of hazardous materials.

Work Environment

Work is mission driven, team oriented, and typically performed in an office setting within a research or development environment. Indoor and outdoor work is required, occasionally at high altitudes of up to 15,000 feet and heights of up to 500 feet. Periodic travel is required (<25%). Occasional travel, including international, to other Observatory sites is expected.

Physical Demands

Will be required to stand and sit, and perform fine hand manipulation. Must be able to operate a personal computer. Must work safely near moving mechanical parts and/or with electrical equipment. Occasionally required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, and crouch. May work in high, precarious places and in extreme weather conditions, and may be exposed to chemicals, or the risk of electrical shock. May frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception are required.

Who You Are:

• You have a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Management, or Security.
• You have ten years of highly relevant work experience which includes some experience managing staff.

While not required, you may have:

• A Master’s Degree in Occupational Safety or Health, Industrial Hygiene, or a closely related field.
• An Associate Safety Professional certification or higher.
• Experience in safety training program development and/or project management.
• Knowledge of electrical safety program requirements, loss prevention, ability to review and interpret the legal and risk aspects of contracts and agreements, claims investigation and/or management.

Competency Summary

• Expert working knowledge of ES&S processes, including Workers’ Compensation, OSHA and NFPA standards, and regulatory recordkeeping standards to ensure correct implementation. Working knowledge of risk management and record management database design, structure, functions and processes, and experience with database tools. Prior experience preferred with learning management or similar ES&S enterprise management system.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and standards of administration of programs and processes. Must demonstrate ability to work in an environment requiring a high level of confidentiality, integrity, teamwork and customer service. Must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and leadership.
• Must demonstrate effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills; have strong interpersonal and listening skills; possess excellent organizational and math/quantitative skills; have the ability to effectively multi-task, respond to priorities, and complete tasks on time with a high degree of independence. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, i.e. advanced level of skill in Word and Excel.
• Must be a self-starter, innovative, and work independently to complete projects. Ability to troubleshoot problems and think creatively about solutions. Must be organized and manage time effectively.

Additional Requirements

• Must have, or have the ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license
• Passport

Safety Sensitive

The selected candidate must successfully pass a post-offer, pre-employment/pre-placement drug screen. Failure to pass the screen will disqualify the candidate from employment consideration for a period of six months from the date of the results.

Total Rewards:

The NRAO offers a comprehensive total rewards package for this position, subject to eligibility requirements. We are committed to serving our employees and their families with an extensive and competitive compensation and benefits package that supports our employees’ overall well-being and career growth.

Compensation

The NRAO strives to attract and retain dedicated, highly qualified, competent, and motivated employees by offering competitive compensation and recognition for performance.

Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

NRAO’s benefits package addresses the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment. NRAO provides excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days and 15 sick days, additional time off for doctor/dentist visits, and 8 weeks of paid parental leave). Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment. NRAO’s retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participant’s base pay with no required employee contribution; we also offer an optional supplemental, tax-deferred plan for employee retirement contributions.

Application Instructions:

Select the “Apply” button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, Minorities, Vietnam-Era Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. To view our complete statement, please visit http://jobs.jobvite.com/nrao/jobs. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email to [email protected].

The NRAO is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V)

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