Institute Biosafety and Biosecurity Officer

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Job Summary

Responsible for developing, managing, and monitoring the Institute's biosafety and biosecurity programs. Develops, implements, and documents biosafety policies, procedures and protocols as part of the Institute's overall Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) mission.

Identifies biosafety issues and formulates measures for addressing project, laboratory, and workplace biohazards, through regular research project risk assessments, facility inspections and/or incident investigations. Serves as subject matter expert for the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) by providing consultations, evaluations, and inspections, to reduce or eliminate workplace conditions that may lead to injury or loss of Institute resources. Serves as Institute liaison with biosafety regulatory agencies and interprets new and changing regulatory issues. Serves as a voting member on the IBC and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) providing recommendations regarding biological containment and biorisk mitigation measures.

This is a Campus Critical position. An employee designated as campus critical is expected to be aware of the campus emergency management plan and to report to Campus as soon as possible in the event of an emergency to assist in campus wide response and recovery efforts.

Essential Job Duties

• Reports to the Senior Director for EH&S, and oversees complex projects/programs, defines objectives for developing, implementing, and maintaining programs, systems and procedures necessary to ensure the overall safety and health of employees and the campus community.
• Develops, implements, and manages biosafety and biosecurity resources, programs and procedures, including biorisk assessment, specialized training, laboratory inspections, incident response procedures, and related educational materials.
• Collaborates with the research community on innovative research and engineering projects, performs biosafety and biosecurity risk assessments in support of unique and emerging technologies that require dynamic thinking and tailored solutions to mitigating biological hazards as science progresses and recommends enhancements to existing programs to improve risk assessment processes and workplace conditions.
• Develops metrics to measure overall biosafety program performance and facilitate continuous improvement.
• Serves as an Institute liaison for biosafety and biosecurity matters with all federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. Keeps current in related policies and regulations; and updates programs as needed.
• Reviews and processes biological research registrations for authorization to use recombinant DNA, infectious agents, and toxins; serves as subject matter expert on the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), provides medical surveillance, risk assessment and biocontainment consultations to other committees (IACUC, IRB, Stem Cell).
• Develops and delivers biorisk management related training to researchers and employees; participates in other EH&S training development and implementation as needed.
• Develops and maintains oversight and training programs for shipping of biological material.
• Collaborates with Planning, Design and Construction for specialized biological laboratory renovation or construction projects.
• Supports the DEA-regulated Controlled Substances and Chemical Precursors management program.
• Participates in EH&S incidents and emergency response activities (including on-call rotation).
• Provides support to Divisions and Departments to assess, train, inspect, and respond to their concerns, as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree with at least 5 years of professional experience in a comprehensive environmental, health and safety program, including at least 3 years of biosafety experience.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills and organizational skills. Ability to effectively communicate with research investigators, at all levels, to foster a culture of safety and collaboration between the BSO, the IBC, and the research investigators. Experience developing and providing training and evaluating the effectiveness of such training.
• Knowledge of OSHA, Cal/OSHA, NIH Guidelines, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories guidelines (BMBL), Select Agent regulations, DURC, and other relevant standards, laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Physical Demands: The successful candidate will be required to stand and walk for moderate periods of time; lift and carry up to 30 lbs. of tools and equipment; needs to have the ability to wear a respirator and other protective equipment (gloves, respirators, lab coat, enclosed footwear, safety eyewear, and coveralls) when working under hazardous conditions.
• Environmental Conditions: The successful candidate will go into laboratories using chemicals, biohazardous, and radioactive materials, as well as hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD degree in relevant scientific subjects (biology, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, or related field) with 3 years of biosafety experience, in a university setting and within a comprehensive environmental health and safety program.
• Knowledge of biohazardous waste management and DEA regulation for Controlled Substances and other relevant laws, regulations, and best practices.
• DOT/IATA Shipping training for biological material.
• Working knowledge of Articulate 360 for online training development.
• Ability to obtain (within 12 months) and maintain relevant professional credentials (CSP, RBP, CBSP, etc.)

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover letter articulating why you think you would be a good fit for this role.