Safety Specialist

Job Title
Safety Specialist

Requisition Number
RE53584

Working Title
Lab Safety Specialist

Department Name
3DE50:Radiation Safety

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
42

Salary Range
$17.41-27.87/hour

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

1 yr

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

This position requires sitting, standing, or walking for moderate to long periods of time, including the climbing of stairs, depending upon the duties performed or the research environment in which they are performed. This position involves lifting, handling, or carrying objects or equipment up to 25lbs. This position requires the use of hands and arms for handling, reaching, pointing, and feeling. This position requires the ability to work in an office environment and enter lab environments.

Shift

Monday – Friday; 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Job Summary

The Laboratory Safety Specialist, as a part of the Department of Research Safety’s Chemical and Lab Safety Team, delivers technical laboratory and established chemical safety programming guidance to staff and faculty in research and teaching laboratories at the University of Kentucky to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for employees, students, and visitors. The laboratory safety specialist provides courteous and timely support to the research community by assisting researchers in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of biological, chemical, radiological, and physical hazards. This position requires the candidate to be a competent and productive professional contributor who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete assignments, projects, and tasks of moderate scope and complexity. This individual will have the ability to work independently with general supervision and will exercise judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

MS Office suite of programs- MS word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS 365 and Outlook. Must be able to learn departmental database software to efficiency.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry (or other hard science or environmental health-related field) and two or more years of experience is preferred

Driver’s License preferred

Deadline to Apply
03/25/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.