Sr. Staff EH&S Specialist

Position Overview

Nektar has an exciting opportunity for a Sr. Staff EH&S Specialist to join the team.

SUMMARY: Provides support in maintaining Nektar Therapeutics' environmental, health and safety programs. Monitors EH&S compliance with federal, state and local environmental aspects including hazardous, medical, universal and other waste streams permits and licenses, chemical hygiene, biosafety, ergonomics, and illness and injury prevention). Acts as the primary chemical reviewer and approver for all chemical purchases. Acts as Biological Safety Officer and Alternate Chemical Hygiene Officer. Maintains and updates regulatory records, performs periodic safety and health inspections in both laboratory and office areas, participates on the site safety committee and emergency response team, monitors hazardous waste removal vendors and may assist in consolidating hazardous wastes (chemical and medical). Recommends corrective action where environment health and safety hazards exist. Reviews and updates standard operating procedures, audit protocols, and training materials to ensure they are current. Conducts EH&S training and develops training effectiveness checks. This job contributes to and supports the company's research and development efforts to create high value therapeutics to address unmet medical needs. Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of intangibles. Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Creates formal networks involving coordination among groups.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Proactively applies professional experience and knowledge to development of company's concepts and principles and to achieve objectives in creative and effective ways. Provides guidance in identifying extremely complex problems. Directs the analysis of situations or data requiring an evaluation of intangible variables. Supervises the development of methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Develops new methods to shorten time, reduce cost or improve quality of a complex process or form, which may require changes to written procedures. Acts as a vocal advocate for process change and improvement. Educates junior staff and management on new approaches. Conducts inspections of lab and office areas and recommends corrective actions. Conducts independent evaluations of new equipment and raw materials. Conducts occupational exposure assessments and safety analyses as needed Helps to ensure the SDS library is maintained and updated. Participates on the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Safety Committee. Identifies and implements various EH&S programs and tracks pertinent regulations. Participate in new lab construction and remodel planning. Participates in Process Hazard Analyses as needed. Schedules employees for prescription safety glasses. May assist with medical surveillance program as needed. Conducts EH&S reviews of new processes, new chemical introductions and new equipment as needed. Works independently to complete assigned projects. Supports other and/or may lead projects as needed. May supervise other junior staff, providing development, feedback and coaching.

REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of a Master's degree in the environmental, health and safety field or related technical discipline is required. Equivalent experience may be accepted. A minimum of 12 years relevant industry experience is required. A minimum of 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biosciences or other related industry experience is required. Previous supervisory experience is preferred. Must have a thorough understanding of environmental, occupational safety and health regulations. Must be knowledgeable in local, state, and federal regulations. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Previous experience planning, designing and delivering training to a variety of audiences both technical and non-technical is required. Must be team oriented with excellent interpersonal skills.

Employees must be able to lift or handle objects greater than 25 pounds to perform certain duties essential to the job function. Employees may be required to perform tasks essential to the job function in areas that require the use of hearing protection devices. Performance of tasks essential to the job function may require the employee to work directly with, handle, or otherwise come into contact with chemicals or pharmaceutical agents. Employees must be able to wear respiratory protection (filtering facepiece, 1/2 face, full-face, powered air purifying respirator, or self-contained breathing apparatus) for certain tasks essential to the job function. Employees may be required to enroll in a medical surveillance program based on the potential exposure to certain health hazards encountered as a result of their job function. Employees must be able to gain access to elevated work surfaces via vertical ladders or stairs to perform tasks essential to the job function. Employees must be able to maneuver themselves under 30 inch clearances. Huntsville, AL only: Employee must be able to pass drug screening for employment consideration.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Nektar Therapeutics will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in the manner proscribed by the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.