Associate Director (Biohazard, Radiation and Chemical Safety)

Associate Director (Biohazard, Radiation and Chemical Safety)

Department of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S)

Queen’s University

Kingston, Ontario

Reference # MG-16876

The Organization Situated on the territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek, Queen’s University offers a transformative student learning experience and is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities. Queen’s has over 27,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs supported by over 9,000 faculty and staff members. 

Queen’s research-intensive environment and interdisciplinary program offerings provide students with the comprehensive and nimble skills required in today’s competitive and evolving workforce. With many academic strengths including in physics, cancer research, geo-engineering, data analytics, the University sets graduates up for excellence across disciplines. Queen’s provides diverse learning opportunities, a broad range of students services and supports, unmistakable school spirit, and a tight-knit global network of 159,000 alumni in 153 countries.

Reporting to the Director, Environmental Health & Safety, the Associated Director (Biohazard, Radiation and Chemical Safety) is accountable for the effective management, administration, planning and coordination of the biohazard, radiation, and chemical safety programs for the university. The mandate of the Associate Director is to work with the university community to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, and international statues, standards and guidelines while supporting the research mission of the university. This is a key health and safety leadership role that requires building and maintaining strong relationships with the biohazard, radiation and chemical safety team members, the university community, and other stakeholders, in addition to external regulatory authorities.  

Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigeneity, the Associate Director is a member of the EH&S management team and participates in annual long-term planning, policy development and implementation, and has input into financial planning and resources allocation. In consultation with the Director, the Associate Director provides leadership and has management responsibility for the biohazard, radiation, and chemical safety team members in the daily provision of exceptional client service to the university community.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as the university’s Biosafety and Radiation Safety Officer and provides expert guidance, technical assistance, and consulting services to internal university clients and other stakeholders on Biohazard, Radiation and Chemical Safety issues.
• Collaboratively works with the Director to plan, draft, and monitor strategic plans for the biohazard, radiation and chemical safety programs. Participates in determining goals and objectives and in the formulation or reformation of departmental policies and standards.
• In consultation with the Director, oversees policy development, communications and information management for the biosafety, radiation, and chemical safety programs.
• Liaises with, and acts as the point of contact for, regulators from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with departmental faculties university administrators, and external professionals/stakeholders to advocate for the interests of EH&S and ensures that there is adequate communication throughout execution of engagements.
• Undertakes special projects assigned by the Director. This may include data analysis, process changes, and recommendations based on analysis.
• Makes resource recommendations to the Director to ensure program efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Plans, prioritizes, and manages the work of the technical staff, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching. Identifies the need for staff resources and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
• Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing, and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
• Assesses staff training and development needs and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain performance.
• Investigates, addresses, and resolves employee/labour relation issues, including decisions regarding disciplinary and discharge matters.

Additional Responsibilities

• Makes decisions regarding policies of the department and the legislation governing the biosafety, radiation and chemical safety programs.
• Solve unexpected problems as they arise, referring only very complex problems to the Director.  Determine when to advise the Director of any situation that might impact negatively on the department and formulates strategies for remedial action.
• Decide on the significance of problems and make recommendations for action, identifying potential risks and benefits; determine options or range of solutions to problems.
• Display sound judgment and effective time management to determine priorities and meet firm deadlines.
• Review and implement new procedures and changes to existing procedures as deemed necessary.
• Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
• Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
• Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination.
• Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
• Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.

Ideal Candidate Skills & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree with specialization relevant to the position (e.g., science, engineering, health sciences, environmental science or health and safety).
• Several years of management experience, including supervision of technical staff in a unionized environment.
• Several years of experience in an organizationally relevant environment, preferably in a health and safety or research setting.
• Previous work in a university or other academic environment is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of collective agreements and working in a unionized environment is an asset.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Ideal Candidate Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written). Must be able to interact effectively with diverse groups of individuals at all levels within the university organizational structure.  Able to convey information that has adverse impact to stakeholders in a candid and clear manner.
• Able to confidently present to leaders across diverse audiences on behalf of the department and the Director.
• Supervisory skills and ability to motivate staff and create a positive work environment.
• High degree of initiative and high level of organizational skills is needed to develop, plan and coordinate the operations and activities of the biosafety, radiation and chemical safety programs.
• Strong team player who works well under pressure, with the ability to adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility and initiative. This includes the ability to respond to tight deadlines and conflicting priorities.
• Analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills. Ability to synthesize information from a wide variety of sources. Ability to conceptualize creative plans and workable solutions for dealing with a wide array of management problems.
• Planning skills to propose new initiatives and to improve efficiency of the biosafety, radiation, and chemical safety programs.
• Sound judgement, tact, and discretion.
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality with highly sensitive information.
• Proven ability to prioritize and delegate work/responsibilities as required.
• Proven accuracy and attention to detail, creativity, resourcefulness, and task completion. 
• Advanced administrative skills, including use of computers for data analysis, spreadsheets, and word processing.  Ability to adapt to and support implementation of new technologies.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and have the initiative and creativity to come up with innovative and value-added solutions to issues.
• Leadership skills with a commitment to promoting positive inclusive working relationships.

How To Apply

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking: https://meridiarecruitment.ca/Career/16876

For more information about this exciting opportunity please contact Mark Gillis, Senior Consultant, at mgillis@kbrs.ca or Natalie Lagace, Recruitment Specialist, at nlagace@kbrs.ca. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Mark know.

Meridia Recruitment and Queen’s University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Meridia Recruitment and Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Meridia Recruitment and Queen’s University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Mark Gillis (mgillis@kbra.ca) or Natalie Lagace (nlagace@kbrs.ca).