EH&S Lead
Independent nonprofit research institute building AI-and-biology tools and conducting biomedical research on complex diseases.
About Arc Institute
Arc Institute is a Palo Alto-based independent nonprofit founded in 2021. It supports long-term biomedical research and develops experimental, computational, and machine-learning technologies, including virtual-cell and genomic foundation models, in partnership with Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and UCSF.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will own the development, implementation, and management of Environmental, Health, and Safety programs and culture. You'll design solutions that satisfy overlapping local, state, and federal requirements, run risk assessments, audits, and inspections, lead incident investigations, oversee medical and hazardous waste programs, and act as the main contact for regulators. You'll cover chemical hygiene, biosafety, OSHA compliance, permits and sustainability programs, and partner closely with the labs.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in industrial hygiene, biology, chemistry, environmental science, occupational safety and health, or related field, or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of laboratory experience, including 5 years in EH&S, with at least 2 years leading and developing EH&S programs
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, managing multiple projects accurately and on time
- Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA, CalEPA, Medical Waste Management Act, EPA, DEA, OSHA, NRC, and NFPA regulations
- Strong interpersonal skills, able to prioritize resources, influence behavior, and build consensus
- Able to work independently and in a team with a strong sense of urgency
- Interest in learning new techniques, keeping accurate records, and working within established policies
Responsibilities
- Provide safety leadership and EH&S subject matter expertise
- Develop, implement, and maintain EH&S programs, procedures, and systems in compliance with regulations
- Develop safety strategy and carry out safety policies and procedures
- Advise the administrative team on safety and compliance
- Define EH&S employee safety and onboarding training approach
- Own compliance programs including Cal/OSHA bloodborne pathogens, biosafety, chemical, radiation safety, and controlled substances
- Own environmental compliance strategy including industrial wastewater discharge permit and hazardous waste requirements
- Own risk assessment program and conduct regular risk assessments and safety audits
- Lead investigations of accidents, incidents, injuries, and complaints
- Conduct safety inspections and walkthroughs across labs
- Develop and manage EH&S management systems covering chemical inventories, SDS, near-miss reporting, permitting, and incident investigations
- Oversee regulated medical and hazardous waste programs, including vendor contracting
- Act as primary point of contact for regulatory and certifying agencies
- Own procurement and maintenance of safety equipment and supply inventory
- Respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials
- Develop and maintain the EH&S wiki
Benefits
- Annual discretionary bonus
- Compound Cash Grant Program offering multi-year cash grants