Chemical Safety Specialist

The Chemical Safety Specialist plays a vital role in advancing a safe and compliant research environment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison-one of the nation's leading public research institutions. This position supports the university's chemical safety program, ensuring that work involving hazardous chemicals is conducted responsibly and in compliance with regulations.

As part of the Chemical Safety Office within UW-Madison's Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), you will help safeguard the campus community by promoting best practices in chemical handling and laboratory safety. The Chemical Safety Office's goal is to ensure that all work involving hazardous chemicals, both within the laboratories and throughout the university, is performed safely and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and standards (including OSHA, ANSI, EPA, DNR, IFC, NFPA, and the Wisconsin Administrative Codes).

Your day-to-day work will be dynamic and impactful. Examples of responsibilities include

• Conduct laboratory safety outreach visits and provide expert guidance on safe acquisition, use, storage, and disposal of chemicals on campus.
• Support the deployment and administration of the campus-wide chemical inventory system.
• Collaborate on high-priority safety projects identified by the Chemical Hygiene Officer.
• Serve as a resource for faculty, staff, and students to ensure safe research practices.

This position is full-time, 100%.

Ongoing/Renewable

Onsite

• Directs logistical activities, allocates resources and investigates components of specific health and safety cases

• Secures resources and schedules logistics for a safety program

• Provides knowledge and guidance to internal and external stakeholders including leadership, in a specialized area of safety such biosafety, chemical, hazardous materials, agriculture, lake, radiation, and Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

• Communicates findings to necessary stakeholders

• Reviews industry updates and may assist in developing safety communication materials based on industry changes

• Identifies operational and safety issues and develops improvement plans and standard operating procedures

• Provides support of the deployment and ongoing operation of the campus-wide chemical inventory system

Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), Department of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), Chemical Safety Office

FP&M is a full-spectrum service organization that builds, maintains, and operates the physical environment of the UW-Madison campus in support of the university's education, research, and outreach activities.

FP&M works behind the scenes to coordinate campus planning, manage design and construction, maintain and operate buildings and grounds, supply utility services, ensure health and safety, and provide parking and transportation services.

The starting salary is $58,000 and is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see the 2025 Benefits Summary document.

• Knowledge of chemical properties and hazards
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty and staff through strong interpersonal skills and effective oral and written communication
• Proficient in using computers and managing electronic data

• Two (2) years of professional work experience in occupational safety or laboratory field
• Experience with a chemical inventory or SDS management platform
• Knowledge of occupational safety principles, including use of personal protective equipment, administrative controls, and engineering controls
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, including the OSHA Laboratory Standard, OSHA Standards for specific chemicals and other applicable regulations (EPA, DNR, NEFPA, etc.)
• Knowledge of prudent safety practices for laboratory operations, procedures, and techniques
• Knowledge of chemical waste management techniques
• Ability to conduct technical, science-based training programs

Bachelor's Degree Preferred; focus in Chemistry, Occupational Safety, or related scientific or safety field

To begin the application process, click the "Apply" button. Please submit a resume and cover letter.

Your cover letter and resume are the ideal place for you to share how your qualifications and experience will translate to this position and showcase your unique talents.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with titles, emails, and phone numbers (including at least one supervisory reference). Please note that references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Emma DeGan, emma.degan@wisc.edu, (608) 497-4469
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.