Biosafety Officer & High Containment Lab Director

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

LABORATORY BIOLOGICAL SAFETY AND BIOLOGICAL SECURITY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: 

• 1)Research biosafety compliance: Position works with research and teaching laboratories in order to ensure biosafety compliance and support to principal investigators and instructors through review and approval of laboratory safety plan supplements and at least annual laboratory compliance inspections for compliance with NIH, CDC, and CA OSHA guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• 2)Responsible Official: Position will serve as the university responsible official for the University's biological select agent and toxins (BSAT) program and as the university’s liaison to NIH for compliance.
• 3)IBC: Position will serve and support the university Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) as the campus Biological Safety Officer BSO; duties include planning and scheduling IBC meetings, working with IBC, faculty, and staff to design and implement plans and procedures for biosafety in laboratories to protect personnel from the adverse effects of biological agents and the safe handling and regulatory compliant treatment and disposal of biohazardous laboratory waste.
• 4)BUAs: Position will review and approve university biological use authorizations (BUAs), evaluate and perform risk assessments for work with biological agents and toxins, and provide assistance and support to research and teaching laboratories for the safe use, proper containment, and managed disposal of biohazardous waste.
• 5)Compliance Support: Position will maintain a working knowledge of current regulatory requirements, university program guidelines and industry best practices in order to support biological safety in university laboratories: Position will oversee and as necessary participate in laboratory safety and compliance inspection to meet regulatory requirements and policy requirements.
• 6)Leadership: Position is part of the EHS leadership team and may provide oversight and management of certain EHS programs and ensure the development of EHS programs, policies, and procedures to provide administrative guidance in these EH&S program areas.

HIGH CONTAINMENT LABORATORY DIRECTOR: 

• High Containment Lab Director: The HCLD is responsible to maintain records/documents necessary to meet regulatory compliance for operation of the lab. Will represent UCM on UC systemwide workgroups and will be responsible for ensure training and compliance in all matter related to the BSL-3 / High Containment Laboratory. The position will provide support and assistance to UCM researchers and manage regulatory compliance with biosafety, including BSL-3 agents and select agents in university laboratories.
• Grant Proposals: The position will assist in the review of and provide necessary comment upon university grant proposals involving biological agents and biological research.
• Training: The position will provide subject matter expertise, evaluate and identify appropriate safety training, including the review of biological safety training sufficiency, and adjust training program elements accordingly in order to ensure regulatory training compliance and personnel needs in research laboratories

ANIMAL RESEARCH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM SUPPORT: 

• 1)IACUC: The position will serve as EH&S representative to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and support research safety performing work with animals and support occupational health and safety in animal research.
• 2)Medical Surveillance: The position will manage the medical surveillance and screening program for research personnel working with animals.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN PROGRAM SAFETY: 

• Program Management: The position will provide management oversight and monitoring of employee safety and health related to preparedness and prevention of employee exposure to blood borne pathogens possibly present in laboratory research.
• Compliance Support: The position will provide regulatory compliance monitoring and support to university research laboratory personnel in the development and implementation of blood borne pathogen Exposure Control Plans.
• Occupational Health and Safety Support: This position works closely with the Occupational Health provider (Nurse Practitioner) and the Campus Risk Manager in support of campus needs ranging from biological safety program needs and program success, BBP preparedness and prevention, regulatory compliance, high containment research compliance support requirements, in addition to other campus biological safety requirements, e.g., employee Occupational Health monitoring and clearance.

EH&S AND RESEARCH SUPPORT: 

• Team Member: The position will serve as a key member of the EH&S leadership team, provide compliance management and support to the university researchers for all EH&S biological safety support functions along with COVID-19 response and preparedness planning and operations.
• Administrative Support: The Position will support University researchers and ORED in providing review and comment for Grant Proposals.
• Committee Representation: The position will serve to represent EH&S on campus and systemwide workgroups, committee, and partnerships.
• Other duties as assigned: This position, due to its highly technical expertise and scope will provide leadership within the EH&S organization and may be assigned other duties as necessary for organizational compliance support obligations and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree In Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology, Biological Safety, security, or related  area.
• Advanced degree PhD in Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related science discipline from an accredited university. (Preferred)
• 5 years of directly related, progressively responsible experience, or equivalent experience/training.
• Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) (Preferred)
• Certification as a biosafety professional (CBSP) (Preferred)
• 40-hour HAZWOPER training certification and subsequent 8-hour renewals. (Preferred)
• CA Driver’s License. 

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the identification, evaluation, and management control of biological and occupational health and safety hazards with broad-based cumulative experience in a laboratory setting.
• The ability to perform technical reviews of biosafety proposals involving the management and use of infectious 
• The ability to perform technical reviews of animal research proposals involving occupational health and safety concerns, field research safety, laboratory safety, and biosafety to support university research. The ability to design, develop and present biosafety training to university audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with hazard analysis and hazard control including the design, development, and implementation of hazard control programs consisting of engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices, and the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidents and injuries
• Demonstrated, broad-based working knowledge of biological safety and laboratory regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a biological safety program in compliance with regulatory requirements and in support 
• Demonstrated ability to work with personal computers, including the demonstrated knowledge and use of Microsoft
• Office word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, and the ability to learn and use UCOP database software applications for program management of biological safety.
• Demonstrated ability for punctuality, teamwork, service, and support in BSO position.
• Training and experience in emergency response to biological safety incidents.
• Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skill to communicate 
• Thorough knowledge/understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations, and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields.
• Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related 
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects 
• Skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience in biological safety with programs and personnel.