Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer (CHSO)
Location: Richmond, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time Contract
Travel: Up to 10%
Licensure: California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license required
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer (CHSO) to support laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, occupational health, and regulatory compliance across a large public health laboratory environment in Richmond, California.
The CHSO will serve as a subject matter expert in laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, hazardous materials, exposure prevention, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. This position will work closely with laboratory leadership, research scientists, public health professionals, and regulatory agencies to develop and maintain comprehensive safety programs across multiple laboratory divisions and facilities.
The ideal candidate will have strong clinical or public health laboratory experience, extensive knowledge of laboratory safety regulations, and the ability to develop practical safety programs while serving as a trusted resource for laboratory leadership and staff.
Key Responsibilities
Laboratory Safety & Chemical Hygiene
Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive chemical hygiene and laboratory safety programs across multiple laboratory facilities.
Research and evaluate current regulations, industry standards, scientific literature, and best practices related to laboratory safety and chemical hygiene.
Provide expert guidance on the safe handling, processing, storage, transportation, and disposal of clinical specimens, environmental samples, hazardous materials, and high-risk substances.
Conduct and review hazard assessments, exposure assessments, risk assessments, and risk management plans.
Develop safety protocols and procedures related to hazardous chemicals, particularly hazardous substances (PHS/EHS), controlled substances, select agents, radioactive materials, and other high-risk materials.
Evaluate laboratory workflows, facility configurations, engineering controls, chemical storage practices, and containment measures to identify opportunities to improve safety.
Identify opportunities to reduce hazardous waste through appropriate recycling, repurposing, and waste-reduction practices.
Harmonize laboratory safety practices and chemical hygiene programs across multiple laboratory branches and departments.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure laboratory safety programs comply with applicable Cal/OSHA, OSHA, DTSC, CLIA, ISO, and other federal and state regulatory requirements.
Serve as a subject matter expert and point of contact for regulatory and safety organizations, including Cal/OSHA and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
Identify safety and compliance vulnerabilities and develop appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
Lead or coordinate investigations of laboratory accidents, incidents, exposures, and emergencies involving hazardous or high-risk materials.
Develop investigation reports, risk assessments, corrective action plans, and related safety documentation.
Provide guidance to laboratory leadership following safety incidents and assist with implementation and follow-up of corrective actions.
Maintain current knowledge of regulatory changes affecting clinical and public health laboratories.
Safety Leadership & Program Development
Serve as a key safety advisor to laboratory management, division and branch leadership, and research scientists.
Chair or coordinate laboratory safety committee activities and initiatives.
Develop and implement laboratory-specific safety policies, procedures, and programs.
Coordinate laboratory safety projects, drills, emergency response planning, and other safety initiatives.
Collaborate with internal departments and external public health partners on laboratory safety and occupational health programs.
Provide expert consultation for hazardous materials incidents and exposure monitoring activities at public laboratories throughout California.
Participate in regional, state, and national laboratory safety and health committees and professional workgroups.
Support special public health initiatives and laboratory projects requiring specialized safety expertise.
Occupational Health & Employee Safety
Partner with Human Resources and laboratory leadership to develop and maintain laboratory-specific occupational health and employee safety programs.
Develop safety protocols related to employee exposure prevention and monitoring.
Assist with annual occupational health service planning and vendor coordination.
Provide guidance on appropriate PPE, exposure prevention, emergency response, and safe work practices in high-risk laboratory environments.
Training & Education
Develop and deliver laboratory safety training programs for research scientists, public health microbiologists, and other laboratory personnel.
Conduct new employee safety orientations and ongoing laboratory safety training.
Develop training related to chemical exposure, toxicology, hazardous materials, packaging and shipping, and emergency response.
Train employees on new laboratory methods and technologies requiring specialized safety procedures.
Monitor completion of required laboratory safety training and identify compliance gaps.
Coordinate laboratory safety outreach and training programs for public health and clinical laboratories throughout California.
Maintain the expertise necessary to train personnel in procedures used to identify and rule out high-risk chemical agents and hazardous materials.
Required Qualifications
Valid California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license required.
Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant scientific, laboratory, environmental health, occupational health, safety, or related discipline.
Significant experience working in a clinical, public health, research, or high-complexity laboratory environment.
Strong knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, hazardous materials, exposure prevention, and risk assessment.
Working knowledge of applicable OSHA/Cal-OSHA, DTSC, CLIA, ISO, and other laboratory safety regulations.
Experience developing and implementing laboratory safety policies, procedures, training programs, and compliance initiatives.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex safety requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Demonstrated ability to independently assess safety risks, develop recommendations, and work collaboratively with laboratory leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience serving as a Laboratory Safety Officer, Chemical Hygiene Officer, Environmental Health & Safety professional, or similar laboratory safety leader.
Experience in a public health laboratory, state laboratory, clinical laboratory, or research environment.
Experience with hazardous chemicals, particularly hazardous substances, controlled substances, select agents, radioactive materials, or other high-risk materials.
Experience conducting laboratory incident investigations and developing corrective action plans.
Experience with occupational health programs and employee exposure monitoring.
Experience leading laboratory safety committees, drills, or large-scale safety initiatives.
Experience developing and delivering laboratory safety training.
Familiarity with hazardous materials shipping and regulatory requirements.
Additional Requirements
Must maintain consistent and reliable attendance.
Must successfully complete required background and security clearances.
Medical clearance may be required based on job duties and laboratory environment.
Must be willing to work in high-risk and controlled-substance laboratory environments and use specialized PPE as required.
May require occasional after-hours or on-call response to laboratory safety incidents or emergencies.
Ability to travel to other laboratory facilities as needed, up to approximately 10%.
Must comply with all applicable organizational policies, laboratory safety procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Contract Details
12-month initial contract
Strong possibility of extension and continued employment
Full-time, on-site position
Competitive compensation based on experience
Shift & Benefits:
About us:
At Lighthouse Lab Services, we offer solutions to help start, grow, and run clinical laboratories. Our recruiting team has over 22 years of proven success placing job seekers in positions ranging from entry-level Medical Technologists to seasoned Laboratory Directors. We recruit nationwide, for permanent and travel positions with clients ranging from small hospitals to large reference laboratories.
It is the policy of Lighthouse Lab Services to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Lighthouse Lab Services is committed to working and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including persons with disabilities.
If at any time during the application process, you need an accommodation, please contact recruiting@lighthouselabservices.com for assistance.
Lighthouse Lab Services | 844-974-1929 | https://www.lighthouselabservices.com/
\#LLS2