Principal EHS Specialist I

ROLE SUMMARY

As a key member of the site EHS staff, the Principal EHS Specialist will lead and manage a variety of EHS programs at the Pfizer Andover OSHA VPP Star site.  Position provides EHS technical leadership and day to day operational support for all businesses on site, including biopharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing.  Position is as an EHS generalist, with primary emphasis on laboratory safety, biosafety and industrial hygiene program.   A key role is to guide and influence people leaders and colleagues to ensure their success in managing and performing safe and compliant operations.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Position will be minimally accountable for:

• developing, implementing and maintaining EHS technical programs and standards that meet and exceed regulatory and corporate standards. Primary emphasis is on laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, occupational hygiene and biosafety programs

• providing leadership, day to day program management, training and operational support to all levels of the organization – lab bench to senior leadership – to achieve a zero-injury, 100% compliant culture

• serving as an expert safety, health and environmental resource to the site (EHS generalist), providing special expertise in biosafety and lab safety

• leading and guiding the site’s 50 part time Laboratory Safety representatives including orientation of new representatives to the role and facilitating quarterly group meetings

• supervising the efforts of a part time biosafety consultant and fulfilling the role of Site Biosafety Officer, including facilitating the annual meeting of the site Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

• supervising the efforts of a part time industrial hygiene consultant and evaluating results of personal monitoring and site surveys as compared to regulatory and Pfizer requirements

• assess business risks of biological cross contamination between the varied site operations and promote risk mitigation

• managing EHS review and approval of all projects on site involving use of biohazardous agents using the electronic Biological Risk Assessment Module (BRAM).The site’s biological risk profile includes BL-2 large scale vaccine manufacture, human materials requiring blood borne pathogen compliance, and viral vectors.

• performing and documenting risk assessments of chemical and biological agent use and associated equipment in consultation with customers and other EHS SME’s for large projects and small tasks

• developing and communicating specific biosafety and laboratory safety practices to mitigate/reduce risk

• providing guidance to laboratory personnel handling Low Occupational Exposure Level active pharmaceutical ingredients in the laboratory including application of related Corporate EHS guidelines

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: BS, Masters or PhD degree in physical, biological or environmental science, microbiology, industrial hygiene or related scientific or management discipline.  10 years of relevant work experience or 8 years with Masters degree in EHS relevant discipline.  5 years of work experience and PhD in EHS relevant discipline.  Certification in recognized EHS specialties or professional licensure a plus, including Certified Industrial Hygienist and/or Registered Biosafety Professional.   Minimum of 3 years experience implementing biosafety-related programs in biopharma or academia. 

• Has subject matter expertise in relevant EHS regulations, principles, pollution control technology, biosafety, industrial hygiene and safety related equipment and safeguards. Has strong technical knowledge and solves practical worker health, safety and environmental problems.
• Able to lead and influence stakeholders in order to advance projects, programs, and site EHS management systems and performance
• Can independently identify, analyze and solve complex EHS technical problems. Has investigation abilities and solves problems using advanced industrial hygiene and safety engineering techniques. Leads teams of experts from other functions to analyze and solve problems.
• Can effectively document technical assignments expeditiously. Works on multiple EHS projects simultaneously and meets deadlines.
• Can develop, analyze and interpret data and test results in the context of complex projects. Can collaborate with others to determine areas of potential risk to business success and generate gap analysis.
• Plans own work to meet deadlines. Is effective in planning and completing work product deliverables to team projects to assure projects stays on track. Expected to identify broad objectives for projects. Also expected to independently develop project proposals.
• Possesses an excellent understanding of biosafety principles, lab safety programs and key processes such as risk assessment, inspections, audits and investigations.
• Ability to independently assess biosafety risks and programs and sensitively communicate/collaborate with line management on appropriate risk measures.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of local, state and federal regulatory requirements and guidelines associated with laboratory safety and biosafety.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated/self-starter with ability to multi-task and work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Responsive, customer service attitude.
• Excellent training and presentation skills, techniques, applications and practices.
• Skilled proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite including PowerPoint, Excel and Word
• Working knowledge of the biopharmaceuticals industry

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• May require walking, standing, and or sitting for prolonged periods

• Must be able to walk and drive between site facilities on the site

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbent will be required to respond to emergencies, both by phone and in person as necessary, at any time.

• Requires being on call 24/7.

• Must be willing and able to work multiple shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and other times, with minimal notice

• Occasional travel to local and national conferences and Pfizer sites

OTHER DETAILS

• Eligible for Relocation Package

Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment.  As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations.  These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure.  Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act.  Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government.  If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.  Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.  Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.

Environmental, Health & Safety

#LI-PFE