Safety Technician

Open to both Internal and external

Job Type:

Support Staff (CUPE)

Posting In effect from

27/3/2025

Closing Application Date:

10/4/2025

Closing date for internal CUPE applicants

10/4/2025

Applications will be reviewed commencing the “closing date for internal CUPE applicants” and may continue until the position is filled.

Internal CUPE applicants must submit their application by 4pm on the “closing date for internal CUPE applicants” for their Seniority to be recognized. Applications received after the "closing date for internal CUPE applicants" will be considered alongside external applicants.

Full/Part Time

Full Time

Support Type

Auxiliary (Over 4 Months)

Anticipated Start Date

1/5/2025

Position End Date (If Applicable)

1/5/2027

The Hours of work are subject to change depending upon departmental requirements

Schedule

Varied

Schedule Description

Schedule is 8:00am - 4:00pm but flexibility required as some early morning/evening work and travel is required

Performs safety, biosafety chemical and emergency management duties in accordance with Institutional Safety and Emergency Management programs and appropriate regulations and legislation.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists the Manager of Health, Safety & Environment with the development, implementation and maintenance of institutional safety programs including policies and components such as WHMIS, chemical management, hazardous materials management, inspections.
2. Conducts risk assessments, audits and inspections to assess the effectiveness of the Biosafety, laboratory and OH&S safety programs and to confirm compliance with regulatory, facility and operations requirements; identifies and documents deficiencies; prepares reports and maintains a documentation database.
3. Participates in investigations and assists in establishing hazard criteria for existing or potential high-risk occurrences and discusses with the appropriate internal managers the significance of the observations; recommends corrective measures to eliminate or minimize the risks involved and follows up on recommendations.
4. Administers and monitors the effectiveness and proper use of personal protective equipment for TRU personnel to ensure protection from physical, chemical and biological hazards. This includes supporting the Safety Advisor with fit testing and education.
5. Supports and administers the Hazardous Materials program which includes inventory management (SDS database/chemical management), storage as well as collection and disposal of hazardous waste.
6. Develops and maintains a chemical management system, including auditing of compliance and training of key stakeholders on process and requirements.
7. Develops, implements and instructs pro-active safety education and training programs (i.e. laboratory safety, spill cleanup, hazardous material awareness, chemical safety and biosafety for all TRU personnel).
8. Serves as a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee as well as various internal safety committee such as the Science & Health Science Safety Committee and the Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee.
9. Recommends to the Manager the cessation of work methods or situations that are not in compliance with TRU Policy and Legislative requirements. If individuals are exposed to an immediate danger which could result in serious injury, disease or death.
10. Initiates, coordinates, plans and develops orientation and safety training (including training material such as: laboratory and biosafety manuals, online training materials, presentations and assessment tools) for new student and employee researchers – specifically all level 2 restricted lab areas. Also provides individual orientation to specific instrumentation.
11. Promotes and monitors compliance with applicable legislation (including the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act [HPTA], Human Pathogens and Toxins Regulations [HPTR], HAA, and HAR and OHS Regulations), conditions of license and applicable conditions of animal pathogen import permits; applicable biosafety and biosecurity standards, and the Biosafety Manual and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
12. Works with the Manager, Health, Safety and Environment to develop and maintain documentation and records related to biosafety and or laboratory safety including: biosafety manual, biosecurity plans, chemical safety manual, chemical management procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), WHMIS, etc.
13. Acts as a resource person to all faculties and departments on the implementation of the Biosafety and other Laboratory safety programs; monitors practices relating to purchase, culture, use, storage and disposal of chemical and biohazardous materials.
14. Works with the Manager to conduct audits and inspections to assess the effectiveness of the Biosafety and laboratory safety programs and to confirm compliance with facility and operational requirements; identifies and documents deficiencies; and prepares reports and maintains a documentation database.
15. Under the direction of the Emergency Manager/Manager, Health, Safety and Environment, assists with initiatives to plan for and respond to biohazardous and hazardous material spills; liaises with internal and external emergency responders to ensure common understanding; responds during emergencies involving biohazardous and hazardous materials to assess risks, direct safe responses; and ensure appropriate reporting to federal and provincial regulators.
16. Assists the Manager in the review and editing of legal documents such as Material Transfer Agreements for use by faculty in external research and/or commercial partnerships involving biological materials. Attends related meetings to provide advice and counsel in order to maintain regulatory compliance throughout the process.

REPORTS TO
Manager of Health, Safety & Environment

EDUCATION:

• Undergraduate degree and a diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.

EXPERIENCE:

• One years’ related experience in a licensed minimum CL2 containment facility; plus
• One years’ experience in chemical management, safety handling and storage; and
• One-years safety related experience

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE OR ABILITIES RELATED TO THE JOB

• Knowledge of microbiology, Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA) and regulatory framework and the Canadian Biosafety Guidelines (CBSG), sufficient to carry out the functions of the position
• Knowledge in chemical safety and WorkSafe BC exposure guidelines, WHMIS 2015 and TDG
• Knowledge of WorkSafe BC OHS Regulations
• Knowledge of electronic data entry/word processing
• Ability to deal courteously and tactfully with others
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to prioritize, plan and organize work
• Ability to operate related equipment

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Investigating hazardous conditions (indoors and outdoors)
• Sitting at a desk and computer for long periods of time
• Travel included

The salary for the above position is determined by the Collective Agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 4879, as it presently exists.

$34.52 - $38.35 ( CUPE Grade 10 (90% - 100%) )

Salary rate

Please Note: This position may be subject to a 90% salary for the first 560 hours of employment.

Location:

Kamloops, BC CA (Primary)

# of Hires Needed:

1

Organizational Unit:

Thompson Rivers University -> Risk Management Services -> Safety and Emergency Management

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:

Thompson Rivers University is strongly committed to hiring based on merit with a focus on fostering diversity of thought within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

NOTE: To learn more about Thompson Rivers University or living in Kamloops or Williams Lake please visit our Careers website. External Candidates invited to interview will be required to bring a copy of their transcripts to the interview.