Program Specialist

Office of Safety Program

Overview of the Program: In December 2016, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Board of Directors adopted safety as one of the Society’s core values, thus affirming that the Society and its members are expected to be leaders in this area. This commitment recognizes that safety is the responsibility of everyone involved in the chemistry enterprise. The practice of chemistry from concept through research, development, manufacture, use, and disposal must include best safety practices in order to minimize individual and public risks while optimizing the societal benefits of the resulting technology.

The new Office of Safety Programs  was created in  2017 and its vision is to be a transformative force in advancing and promoting robust safety cultures in all laboratories where chemicals are used. The programs strives to build communities and create products and solutions that engage, empower and equip chemistry educators and practitioners with the skills and attitudes needed to practice chemistry safely.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in an area related to environmental science/health, safety, chemistry, biology - preferably in an academic/industry research setting.
• Previous experience working with industrial or academic Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) programs is a big plus
• Strong meeting facilitation, project management, organizational, and interpersonal skills; ability to foster trust and build interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent attention to detail; excellent, written, and oral communication skills ability to take initiative, work independently and with groups, and manage several projects simultaneously

 Responsibilities:

 
Provide support and expertise to ACS Units to assure integration of the best safety practices in all ACS programs and resources.

• Provide safety reviews and contribute safety expertise upon requests from other programs.
• Serve as a key contact for any inquires related to the chemical safety issues.
• Assist with supporting the  Committee on Chemical Safety, including developing and distributing meeting agendas, planning, and organizing meetings and contributing  to the subcommittee projects.

Contribute to development and implementation activities, web resources, and services related to the ACS  chemical safety projects. 

• Manage the ACS Center for Lab Safety web content.
• Contribute to planning and implementing ACS safety summits and post-summit activities.
• Attend professional meetings and conferences as assigned to promote collaborations, programs, and engagement with the ACS Safety Programs.
• Coordinate ACS Safety Booth activities during the Spring and Fall ACS National Meetings.

Contribute to collaborations and building of the Scientific Advancement Division by undertaking special projects as requested.

This position will be primarily based in the Washington D.C. (or applicable) office. ACS employees work a hybrid work schedule, consisting of working onsite, three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday with the third in-office day scheduled in consultation with the manager. While always welcome to work in the office, employees may work the other two days of the week from a location of their choice. New employees are immediately eligible for this hybrid work arrangement. ACS offers relocation assistance, if applicable.

EEO/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran