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Chemical Safety Specialist

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 23364
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Ryan Brickman
406-994-7760
Classification Title Occup Safety/Health Spec II
Working Title Chemical Safety Specialist
Brief Position Overview
The Chemical Safety Specialist provides technical and managerial support to MSU operations by supporting the Chemical Safety Officer and providing assistance managing the chemical safety program.
Position Number 4M0046
Department Safety & Risk Mgmt
Division University Services
Appointment Type Classified
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Non-Exempt
Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Minimum $70K, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type Classified Salary
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details

General Statement
The Chemical Safety Specialist provides technical and managerial support to MSU operations by supporting the Chemical Safety Officer and providing assistance managing the chemical safety program, as pertaining to the hazard communication standard (OSHA 1910.1200) and the laboratory standard (OSHA 1910.1450). The position assists with management responsibilities for advancing SRM’s mission to protect MSU’s people, assets and property and to foster compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Act as lead manager of the chemical inventory system and assist Chemical Safety Officer with:
    • Loading laboratory chemical inventory data into system with Laboratory Principle Investigators & laboratory staff.
    • Providing queries and reports to identify high toxicity chemicals, shelf life restricted chemicals, chemicals with associated medical surveillance requirements, chemical storage requirements, and chemicals with specific personal protective equipment requirements and work practices.
    • Providing queries and reports required by standards and Montana Code Annotated regarding Community Right to Know, etc.

  • Manage Community Right-to-Know door signage program, and other required signage such as regulated area signage.
  • Assist CSO and lab staff in the implementation of proper chemical identification, labeling, storage and use practices;
  • Assist CSO in creating, updating, and training on Chemical Hygiene Plans.
  • Assist CSO in performing and tracking chemical safety laboratory inspections.
  • Serve as ex-officio member of the Environment, Health and Safety Committee as the chemical safety expert and other compliance committees, as needed.
  • Provide chemical safety incident response support.
  • Provide hazardous material identification and collection support to the Hazardous Materials Manager.
  • Incumbent will attend and participate in required training for the use of personal protective equipment and comply with requirements for use of employer-provided equipment.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Bachelor’s degree in environmental health, health & safety, emergency management, chemistry or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  2. OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER Certification (or successful completion of course upon hire).
  3. Demonstrated working knowledge of sampling and analytical equipment to identify and/or quantify chemicals, laboratory fume hoods, calibration protocol and other relevant equipment as appropriate.
  4. Demonstrated knowledge of chemistry, chemical identification, chemical hazard mitigation strategies and OSHA chemical regulations.
  5. Demonstrated computer skills (Office, web research, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Demonstrated experience applying 1910.1200 and 1910.1450 in laboratory environments;.
  2. Certified Hazardous Materials Manager credential.
  3. Demonstrated knowledge of chemical use in research environments, and features and interactive properties of products used in a large public organization.
  4. Demonstrated understanding of Chemical Hygiene Plans.
The Successful Candidate Will
  • Ability to foster positive, customer-service-oriented working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Be a continuous learner.
  • Strong attention to detail with an ability to interpret and comply with extensive regulatory guidelines from OSHA.
  • Function autonomously as the program manager/leader of chemical safety or as a team member.
  • Successful in organizing and prioritizing heavy workloads, meeting a variety of simultaneous deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities in a positive, effective and professional manner.
  • Ability to foster and maintain strong relationships at all levels of the organization.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points). Do NOT send a copy of the driver’s license.
Physical Demands
  • Position requires remaining in a stationary position, positioning self to kneeling, ascending/descending ladders, and transporting up to 50 pounds.
  • Position requires working in laboratory environments, and outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Position may encounter confined spaces, tunnels, work-at-height, hazardous materials and waste, noise, dust, and temperature extremes.
  • Position requires ability to wear PPE such as safety glasses and goggles, respiratory protection, and protective coveralls.


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or, ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on May 23, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Diversity Statement

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.



In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.



MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).