Sanford Burnham Prebys is a preeminent, independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding human biology and disease, and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health. 

Summary:

The Hazardous Waste Technician provides for the safe and proper removal of waste products from laboratories and other institute facilities.  In addition the technician will support the EH&S department operations and backup to other technician duties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Hazardous Waste duties:

• Collects all forms of waste, including, but not limited to, chemical, radioactive, oil, universal and e-waste from laboratories, facilities and offices within the institute in accordance with proper procedures
• Performs scheduled walk-throughs in laboratories to identify full waste ready for pick up
• Delivers and ensures proper labeling of laboratory waste containers
• Follows procedures to process waste
  • Collects and sort debris chemical waste in waste facilities
  • Consolidates waste within the waste facilities
  • Pours liquid chemical waste for proper disposal
  • Processes universal waste
  • Prepares e-waste for shipment
  • Documents waste removal for tracking and auditing purposes
  • Disposes of empty waste containers and decay radioactive drums
  • Maintains waste yards in proper order
• Monitors biowaste storage areas

Additional Safety duties:

• Conducts radiation surveys
• Counts radiation survey wipes and tracks data
• Assists safety personnel to perform decontamination control of equipment and laboratories

• Responds to radiation, chemical and biological spills and performs decontamination as part of the emergency response team
• Implements corrective action on violations found during routine safety inspections
• Assists laboratory staff with inquiries related to waste and safety issues

• Serves as back up to Safety Technician or other safety team staff for the following responsibilities:
  • Receives, processes and documents isotopes packages
  • Fills liquid nitrogen cryo freezers
  • Orders institute gases
  • Maintains liquid nitrogen (LN2) dewars and cryo freezers

Education and/or Experience:

• High School diploma and two years’ experience handling hazardous waste or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained is required
• Bachelor’s degree or certificate in Environmental, Health and Safety is preferred

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic chemistry preferred
• Vaccination Requirement: Required
• Respirator qualified and have 40 hour HazMat training required
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. required
• Ability to perform assigned tasks from written instructions and established policies and procedures required
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Be responsible and have strong time management skills
• Able to analyze and resolve issues of moderate complexity
• Possess strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as designated by federal, state or local law. For additional information about your rights as an applicant, click HERE.

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals.