Biosafety Specialist II

Biosafety Specialist II

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, Microbiology, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, or a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience serving as a Biosafety professional (e.g. Biosafety Specialist), Biological Laboratory Scientist/Technician.
• Knowledge of the physical, chemical, and biological hazards found in BSL-2 and ABSL-2 facilities, related laws and regulations, and a solid knowledge base in recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid techniques, genetics, and/or cell biology.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently (strong analytical and organizational skills) and as part of the EHS Team, as well as to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and work with shifting priorities and schedules in a dynamic environment.
• Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a diverse environment (e.g., with persons of various educational, social, and cultural backgrounds).

Responsibilities

• Review new research projects and amendments to existing projects utilizing biological agents (BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-2+, and/or ABSL-1, ABSL-2), in consultation with the JAX BSO and the JAX Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Provide input on risk assessment and safety of the proposed research. Perform pre-review of IBC Registration and Amendments prior to submission of final versions to the IBC.
• Write Risk Assessments and Safety Plan templates for biohazardous agents: Thorough execution of written Risk Assessments should identify the hazardous characteristics of a known infectious or potentially infectious agent or material, the activities that can result in a person’s exposure to an agent, the likelihood that such an exposure will cause a laboratory-acquired infection (LAI), and the probable consequences of such exposure. This leads to effective Safety Plans for in vitro and/or in vivo work.
• Conduct annual audits of BSL-2 laboratories: Perform inspections to provide post-approval monitoring of IBC-approved studies (confirm corrective actions have been completed) and present findings at a convened IBC meeting.
• Review the JAX Institutional Biosafety Manual, Exposure Control Plans, Guidance Documents, and training materials that reflect the latest local, state, and federal regulations.
• These may include writing Risk Assessments and Safety Plans for chemicals, equipment certification of biosafety cabinets and chemical fume hoods at the Bar Harbor site, generating and posting BSL-2 and ABSL-2 door signage, responding to biological spills; determining training needs and BSL-2 or ABSL-2 Worker Types for manual entry into Workday, and sending and maintaining copies of Hepatitis B Vaccine Consent/Declination forms.
• Investigate sharps injuries as needed and maintain Sharps Injury Logs for the CA, CT, FL, and ME sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior laboratory experience is a plus.