Laboratory Safety Officer

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Department ofHealth and Human Services (DHHS)

Public Service Coordinator II

Opening Date:April 2 2026

Closing Date:April 29 2026

Job Class Code:CA29

Grade:29 (47)

Salary:$68993.59 - $97635.20 per year

Position Number:20002-4709

Location:This is a full-time position located in Augusta. This position allows for partial telework with manager approval.

Job Description:

The Laboratory Safety Officer (LSO) is responsible for developing implementing and maintaining a comprehensive health and safety program for the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL). This position also fulfills the Department of Labor mandated role of Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO).

In this role the LSO supports staff education & training in health and safety measures and ensures compliance with applicable health and safety regulations. The LSO chairs the HETL Safety Committee and conducts periodic safety and health audits throughout the HETL facility.

The Laboratory Safety Officer updates safety and health policies processes and procedures as needed. This position plays a central role in promoting a strong culture of safety by identifying and reporting actual and potential safety issues that may place staff and others at risk; assessing those risks; implementing redundant systems to reduce risks to the absolute minimum; overseeing of site-specific workplace safety policies and procedures; and maintaining a safety plan that meets agency and OSHA requirements.

In this role you will help protect the health and safety of Maines public health laboratory workforce by:

Providing consultive professional safety advice and expertise to the Associate Director of the Health and Environmental Testing laboratory (HETL)

Developing comprehensive safety policies processes and procedures as part of the HETL safety program.

Conducting annual safety training to HETL staff

Serving as the subject matter expert (SME) for HETL in all matters related to worker safety and health and chemical hygiene safety.

Exercising independent judgement in recommending and implementing policy and protocol development.

Determining safe work practices to control hazards.

Determining scheduled and unscheduled internal audits to review actual practices within the facility.

Determining appropriate systems to track hazards near-miss incidents and injuries to HETL staff DHHS staff vendors and visitors within the facility.

Determining decontamination practices to be used in case of an event.

Determining best practices to align with all regulatory requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelors degree in chemical physical industrial hygiene environmental or health safety sciences. A minimum of four (4) years of experience within a laboratory or chemical-related facility with responsibilities for safety programs with proficiency in laboratory safety or chemical hygiene. A comprehensive knowledge of laboratory operations and practices and a demonstrated ability to establish working relationships with diverse groups.

Preferred candidates will also have:

oExpertise and knowledge of scientific and technical components of laboratory testing.

oAbility to apply emergency and risk communication principles and techniques to accurately explain information to others.

oAbility to mitigate emergency events coordinating with public safety Maine DOL DEP EPA etc.

oChemical Hygiene Officer certification or eligibility for the certification.

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Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health safety resilience and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the States population including children families older Mainers and individuals with disabilities mental illness and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health operates two state psychiatric hospitals and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within which this position is located is to develop and deliver services to preserve protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position please contact Samson Omole Health & Environmental Testing Laboratory Director .

Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application please contact

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government you find employees who embody our state mottoDirigo or I leadas they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforces health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package including:

• Work-Life Fit Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays 12 days of sick leave and3 weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage The State of Maine pays85%-100%of employee-only premiums ($12845.82 - $15112.76 annual value) depending on salary. Use this chart to find thepremium costsfor you and your family including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information aboutprogram requirements.
• Dental Insurance The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan The State contributes the equivalent of 18.91% of the employees pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leaveis one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a childincluding non-birthing and adoptive parentsreceivesix weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional unpaid leave may also be available under theFamily and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for anextensive and highly competitive benefits package covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated foranything less than full-time.

Theres a job and then theres purposeful transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn grow and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race color sex sexual orientation or gender identity physical or mental disability religion age ancestry national origin familial status or genetics.

If youre looking for a great next step and want to feel good about what you do wed love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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If you are unable to complete the online application please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.