Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Technician - contract to hire

Job description

ABOUT PERIODIC LABS Periodic Labs is building an autonomous laboratory for high-throughput materials discovery. Our work combines advanced chemistry, robotics, automation, AI, and materials science to accelerate scientific discovery while maintaining high standards of environmental, health, and process safety. We are seeking a hands-on, highly organized EHS Technician to support day-to-day laboratory safety operations, hazardous waste management, chemical inventory, compliance activities, and laboratory readiness. THE ROLE Working closely with the EHS Engineer, Facilities team, scientists, and technicians, you will help execute the laboratory’s EHS programs and keep the facility safe, compliant, organized, and inspection-ready. RESPONSIBILITIES - Receive, inspect, label, inventory, and properly store incoming chemicals and compressed gases. - Maintain accurate chemical inventory, SDS, hazard classification, and storage-location records in the laboratory inventory or LIMS system. - Monitor chemical, compressed-gas, PPE, spill-response, and other EHS supply inventories and reorder as needed. - Collect, label, package, move, and stage hazardous waste, including flammable solvents, corrosives, toxic and heavy-metal waste, pyrophoric and reactive waste, universal waste, electronic waste, sharps, used oil, vacuum pump oil, and contaminated PPE. - Change satellite waste containers and support handling of larger containers, including 55-gallon drums, using approved procedures and equipment. - Maintain satellite and central accumulation areas, ensuring containers are closed, compatible, properly labeled and dated, and managed within applicable storage limits. - Coordinate hazardous waste pickups with disposal vendors and maintain manifests, profiles, disposal records, and related documentation. - Perform routine laboratory safety inspections and compliance audits; document findings, assign or track corrective actions, and verify closure. - Inspect and maintain spill kits, eyewash stations, safety showers, first aid supplies, fire extinguishers, oxygen monitors, gas detection equipment, PPE stations, emergency signage, and evacuation routes. - Support gas detector bump testing, calibration coordination, maintenance records, and user training. - Coordinate EHS onboarding, required safety training, respirator medical evaluations and fit testing, and other employee safety programs. - Support regulatory, fire department, insurance, and internal inspections, including preparation of records and follow-up actions. - Collect wastewater, process water, air, wipe, or other environmental samples and coordinate testing with external laboratories. - Support chemical inventory reconciliation, CERS reporting, regulatory documentation, laboratory cleanouts, equipment moves, shutdowns, and decommissioning. - Maintain strong laboratory housekeeping and proactively identify safety, storage, labeling, or compliance issues before they affect operations. QUALIFICATIONS - Associate degree, technical certification, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in EHS, chemistry, environmental science, occupational health, industrial technology, or a related field. - At least 1–2 years of experience in laboratory operations, hazardous waste, chemical management, industrial EHS, semiconductor, biotechnology, manufacturing, or a related technical environment. - Familiarity with laboratory chemical handling, hazard compatibility, and hazardous waste management. - Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and comfort maintaining accurate records. - Able to safely move containers, handle supplies, and work throughout an active laboratory environment. - Comfortable working independently while coordinating closely with scientists, engineers, vendors, and regulators. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Experience with RCRA and California hazardous waste requirements, including DTSC, CUPA, or CERS. - Experience with chemical inventory systems, environmental sampling, DOT hazardous-materials requirements, or TSDF coordination. - HAZWOPER, CPR/First Aid, forklift, pallet jack, or related safety training. - Experience supporting semiconductor, advanced materials, chemical, or research laboratories. MECHANICS - Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or similar experience - Location: Menlo Park, CA - Compensation: $96,000-$124,000 + equity WE’RE BUILDING A TEAM OF THE WORLD’S BEST - THE SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND PROBLEM-SOLVERS WHO DON’T JUST FOLLOW THE FRONTIER, THEY DEFINE IT. IF YOU’RE DRIVEN TO BRING AI TO LIFE IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD AND MAKE DISCOVERIES THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE BEFORE, YOU BELONG HERE.