MRL EHS and Facilities Coordinator Position

Position Overview

The EHS and Facilities Coordinator oversees the day-to-day EHS and facilities activities within the Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) (Building 13). The Coordinator maintains operational, day-to-day oversight to implement the EHS Management System (EHS-MS) on behalf of the MRL Director.  The Coordinator monitors lab compliance with environment, health, and safety (EHS) laws and regulations and MIT best practices and ensures that MRL and its  Principal Investigators/Supervisors are implementing their responsibilities under MIT’s EHS Management System. The Coordinator serves as the primary contact for EHS and facilities issues, responds to and follows up on emergencies, and assists in the management or coordination with facilities-related projects/activities such as lab renovations, lab access control systems, facility shutdowns, and emergency response plans. He/she liaises with facilities project managers, contractors, and faculty on renovation and infrastructure projects. He/she will oversee EHS-related data/records for the DLC and the maintenance of occupancy, space, and facilities records. The coordinator works closely with the departmental facilities managers (DMSE, Physics, EECS, RLE, and others), whose faculty occupy space in MRL-managed areas. In addition to monitoring EHS issues, the coordinator will monitor the level of office and laboratory space usage and periodically report assessments to the Director of MRL. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**)

Key activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS):

  • Enroll new Principal Investigators/Supervisors in the EHS-MS, discussing roles and responsibilities in partnership with the EHS Office and setting up/maintaining PI Space Registration.
  • Support Department Heads, Laboratory Directors, Principal Investigators, Supervisors, and EHS Reps in their efforts to effectively execute their responsibilities in the EHS-MS.
  • Communicate and disseminate information about the EHS-MS.
  • When appropriate, escalate EHS-MS issues to the DLC and/or EHS leadership.
  • Co-chair the DLC EHS Committee, ensuring it meets at least annually to review implementation of the EHS-MS and address escalated issues.
  • Ensure that new EHS Representatives are oriented to their role and responsibilities, as well as hold meetings with department EHS Representatives at least annually.
  • Collaborate with researchers to minimize risk and conduct potentially hazardous activities in accordance with EHS requirements.
  • Monitor training compliance with the EHS Training Needs Identification and Training course completion reports at least quarterly.
  • Ensure that twice annual Training Reconciliation of PI affiliations is being completed by EHS Representatives.
  • Validate that the annual chemical regulatory inventory and reporting requirement is being fulfilled by the labs.
  • Serve as the Chemical Hygiene Officer. Maintain and revise the chemical hygiene plan. 
  • Validate that weekly Level 1 Inspections are being performed by the EHS Representatives.
  • Conduct department-wide Level II Inspections twice a year, with participation by the EHS Lead Contact and/or EHS team members at least once a year.
  • Facilitate answering EHS questions as they arise and assist with coordination of special EHS requests and projects.
  • Participate in after-action reviews of incidents that occur in the DLC.
  • Participate in the preparation of the Emergency Preparedness Plan.
  • Serve as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.
  • Respond to emergencies or be a communications link during emergencies.

Building & Equipment Management and Maintenance:

  • Serves as primary Department contact for all building systems (electric power, ventilation, plumbing, locks, elevators, etc.), contacting and following up with MIT Facilities as required for maintenance, repair, and improvements. These may include pest control, special cleaning requests, water damage, repairs, etc.
  • Maintain building security and card access systems.
  • In conjunction with MRL Director, assist with lab/office assignments and layouts. 
  • Working with the MRL Director, analyze space usage and other facility data and make changes and recommendations to facilities usage, or resources.
  • Investigating building complaints, entering work requests, and monitoring Facilities response.
  • Coordinates communications between Facilities and Project Management and the affected Lab Groups.
  • Coordinates communication with Faculty/Lab Groups in advance of any activities affecting research operations (e.g., systems shutdowns, moves, etc.).
  • Supervise one full-time administrative assistant (shared supervision with MRL HQ) helping with building 13 communications and building 13 organization.

Supervision Received

Reports to MRL Director; will have weekly meetings.

Supervision Exercised

Partial supervision of one administrative assistant, shared with MRL HQ, at the direction of the MRL Director.

Qualifications & Skills

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. 
  • Four or more years of relevant experience in, or involvement with, laboratory/research processes preferred. 
  • Professional certification in environment, health and/or safety field, or at least three years and preferably four or more years of relevant experience in environmental, health, and/or safety compliance. 
  • Excellent organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills.  
  • Must be a self-motivated, flexible, well-organized individual who is able to set and achieve priorities.
  • Requires strong follow-through skills and the ability to work in teams and motivate groups.  
  • Must be able to multitask in a fast-paced work environment with changing priorities and limited supervision.   
  • Accuracy, unflappability, and an eye for detail are essential.  
  • Must be flexible, diplomatic, and possess a concern for order, bias for action, interpersonal understanding, and organizational awareness.  
  • Must exhibit tact and mature judgment.  
  • Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and the ability to learn specialized computer applications for EHS requirements are essential.