Safety Manager

Keck School of Medicine is seeking an experienced and highly organized Emergency Preparedness and Safety Manager (EPSM) to join our Office of Emergency Preparedness and Safety. This position is essential for ensuring that emergency management and laboratory operations run smoothly and safely, helping protect the well-being of everyone in the academic and research setting. This role is responsible for coordinating and managing emergency response and continuity operations for our school. The EPSM will work closely with the Office of the Dean to ensure emergency preparedness across the School of Medicine community. The EPSM will partner with the USC Fire Safety & Emergency Planning Department and collaborate with them in following USC emergency and safety policies.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 8 years of experience in emergency management or a related field; a strong understanding of emergency response and recovery processes; a working knowledge of emergency management terminology, principles, and practices; and experience in developing, implementing, and managing emergency management plans. The EPSM must have a strong sense of personal responsibility and dedication to the school's mission and demonstrate a commitment to promoting a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 8 years of experience in emergency management or a related field, a strong understanding of emergency response and recovery processes, a working knowledge of emergency management terminology, principles, and practices, and experience developing, implementing, and managing the business continuity plan of an academic or related institute.

• The ideal candidate should have knowledge of and some experience with safety practices related to a research laboratory setting.

• The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills and be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, while also working across departments within the School of Medicine.

• The ideal candidate should be a team-oriented professional with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who is committed to providing exceptional customer service.

• The ideal candidate must have a strong sense of personal responsibility and dedication to the mission of the University and demonstrate a commitment to promoting a collaborative work environment.

Responsibilities

• This role is responsible for the coordination and management of emergency response and continuity operations for our campus.

• The Safety Manager will work closely with the University community and USC Department of Public Safety to ensure safety and preparedness for any and all emergencies.

• Works with USC Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), faculty Principal Investigators (PIs), and the research community to develop, implement, and monitor safe practices for research laboratories that meet University and regulatory requirements. In coordination with others, establishes, documents, and communicates standards, guidelines, and procedures, including creating educational and training materials as needed.

• Demonstrates competence in School Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness (EP) and Disaster Preparedness. Functions as the KSOM Emergency Operations planning and preparedness coordinator. Attends and participates in USC/KSOM emergency preparedness meetings and reports outcomes, decisions, and recommendations to KSOM leadership. Supports all USC and KSOM training programs and emergency operation drills in preparation for actual events/incidents. Maintain and continuously improve the Emergency Management plans, ensuring compliance with USC standards. Review and update the KSOM Emergency Management (EM) Plan annually and as required.

• Coordinate with PIs to ensure research lab faculty, staff, and students are trained in safety protocols associated with their laboratories. (USC EH&S takes care of this, N/A to role) Work with PIs to ensure standard operating procedures are understood and communicated. Assist EH&S to ensure that PIs update training records, chemical inventories, etc., in a timely manner per university policies and procedures.

• Oversees KSOM Safety Ambassador who performs laboratory safety inspections of facilities to ensure lab occupant attire/activities and lab equipment. Regularly monitors and approves Safety Ambassador’s reports and corrective action plans. Maintains current knowledge and expertise of existing safety and health regulations that pertain to research laboratories. Communicates information to our research community as needed.

• Assists with developing and coordinating emergency response procedures for experimental laboratories. May respond to emergency calls or events and assist as needed. The EPSM will act as the first point of contact for any/certain KSOM emergency calls and/or building emergencies, floods, power outages, etc. and notify occupants accordingly.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum & Preferred Qualifications:

• Desirable - Certified Safety Professional via the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (http://www.bcsp.org/csp).

• Demonstrated experience with design and research using sophisticated experimental equipment and facilities. Candidates should be able to demonstrate familiarity and experience with handling chemicals and gases.

• Analytical, energetic, self-starter with demonstrated ability to work well in collaborative, cross-functional teams and independently with excellent personal initiative.

• Excellent, demonstrable written and oral communication skills.

• Demonstrated initiative in project management. Able to manage people, time, and resources to accomplish goals.

• Able to effectively manage multiple priorities and adapt to constantly changing priorities.

• Strong sense of urgency and can-do attitude.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Typically, a bachelor's or master's degree in Emergency and/or Safety Emergency Management or a related field.

• Certifications: Certification in emergency management (e.g., FEMA certifications) or industrial hygiene is preferred.

• Experience: At least 8 years of experience in laboratory safety, emergency management, or a related field, preferably in a medical research or academic environment.

• Knowledge of Regulations: Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, other Building and Life safety codes, and relevant safety standards.

• Communication and Leadership: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train and motivate staff, lead safety initiatives, and collaborate across departments.

• Problem-Solving Abilities: Strong analytical and decision-making skills, ability to assess risks, troubleshoot problems, and implement solutions quickly.

The annual compensation range for this position is $122,441.12 - $123,000.  When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Science education/Directly related experience