Biocontainment Laboratory Maintenance Coordinator

Job Title

Biocontainment Laboratory Maintenance Coordinator

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Global Health Research Complex

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are:

The Global Health Research Complex (GHRC) at Texas A&M University is a brand new state-of-the-art biocontainment research facility that will improve animal and human health within the State of Texas, across the United States, and around the globe. The GHRC supports and advances multi-disciplinary large animal and insect vector research, education, and training opportunities for faculty at Texas A&M and their partners from other academic institutions and industry. To learn more, visit https://ghrc.tamu.edu/ .

What We Want:

The Global Health Research Complex is seeking a Biocontainment Laboratory Maintenance Coordinator, who will provide complex operations support and oversee the maintenance, repair, certification, verification, and validation of biocontainment systems and will keep laboratory building systems in safe, secured condition and in constant working order.  The preferred candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or General Engineering or a trade school degree in HVAC, Plumbing, or Electrical and have six years’ experience in operations, maintenance, and repair of laboratory building systems, including but not limited to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, and laboratory systems. Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS) and associated graphical interfaces, preferably Siemens BAS systems. Experience in conducting field tests, verification and certification of critical biocontainment systems for laboratory facilities to include but not limited to HEPA filtered systems including HVAC exhaust and supply filters, plumbing vent filters, and other systems equipped with HEPA filters. We seek to hire a team player who will promote collaboration and cooperation while working within a team. If this is you, we invite you to apply to be considered to become a member of our team.

What You Need to Know:

Cover Letter/Resume’: A cover letter and resume’ are strongly recommended. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume.

COVID-19 information:   Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website . For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website .

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Four years’ related experience in operations, maintenance and repair of laboratory building systems, including but not limited to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, and laboratory systems

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Must successfully obtain and maintain Biological Select Agent and Toxin clearance

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications

• Knowledge of audio/visual systems

• Ability to operate two-way radios

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to calmly handle stressful situations

• Ability to follow and give instructions orally and in writing in a highly technical environment

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Knowledge of HEPA Filtration systems

• Knowledge of DDC, pneumatic, PLC, HVAC controls, calibration and testing and balancing (TAB)

• Building automation systems operations and programming

• Analytical skills for determining system malfunctions

Other Requirements or Factors:

• Must be able to undergo and maintain a favorable CDC/APHIS clearance as required for work in select agent registered spaces

• Works indoors as well as outdoor environments that can contain excessive heat, cold, humidity, dampness, dust, fumes, moving machinery, large animals, oils, chemicals, slippery or uneven surfaces, and others

• Works from ground level, ladders, and platforms on equipment and systems where components can be hard to reach

• Ability to lift or move heavy parts/equipment

• Standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing, moving, and stretching for prolonged periods is sometimes required

• May be required to receive extra vaccinations, submit to blood tests, a tuberculosis skin test, respiratory/pulmonary function test, and others as required

• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), Tyvek suites, lab clothing, foot protection, eye, hand, ear, and other associated PPE related to this position

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering to include but not limited to Mechanical or General Engineering.

• Trade school degree in HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical or other

• Six years’ experience in operations, maintenance, and repair of laboratory building systems, including but not limited to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, and laboratory systems

• Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS) and associated graphical interfaces, preferably Siemens BAS systems

• Experience in conducting field tests, verification and certification of critical biocontainment systems for laboratory facilities to include but not limited to HEPA filtered systems including HVAC exhaust and supply filters, plumbing vent filters, and other systems equipped with HEPA filters

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to cultivate and maintain professional working relationships with people of diverse backgrounds

Responsibilities:

• Biocontainment Systems Operations, Maintenance, Repair, Certification, Verification, and Validation - Is responsible for all plumbing and electrical systems in conjunction with the following responsibilities: Coordinates and oversees processes for tests, verification, and certification of critical biocontainment systems. Assists in the annual recertification of biocontainment systems and laboratory spaces. Implements procedures and requirements to maintain complex equipment and systems associated with ABSL-2, BSL-3, BSL-3-Ag, Insectaries, and support spaces. Coordinates and oversees contract workers on field tests, certification and validations of Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) and laboratory containment HEPA filtered systems including HVAC exhaust and supply filters, and plumbing vent filters. Assists these agencies/organizations with the decontamination of contaminated systems, equipment, and spaces. Coordinates and oversees building repairs, renovation, modification, and maintenance with SSC, UES, and Vendors. Develops procedures for the safe operation, maintenance, modification, and repair of biocontainment facilities systems and laboratories.  Coordinates and manages inventories and supplies as needed for performing routine and assigned functions, maintaining ready and calibrated equipment for SSC, UES, and vendors. Serves as backup for the Biocontainment Laboratory Maintenance Manager.

• Record-keeping - Maintains records relative to the operation, maintenance, renovation, and repair of GHRC biocontainment systems, equipment, laboratories, and support spaces.

• Reporting - Provides routine status reports of biocontainment systems to supervisory level staff to ensure systems are safe and compliant.

• Inspections - Evaluates and inspects equipment, systems, and spaces and records and submits information into appropriate databases.

• On Call - Participates in the building on call emergency response program. Serves as a potential first responder and as such is responsible for exercising professional judgement to independently determine response phases and mobilization of internal and external resources (Biosafety, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management Services, University Police Department, and others). Compares and evaluates possible courses of action and makes a decision after various possibilities have been considered and has the authority to make an independent choice and decision, free from immediate direction or supervision. Performs other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.