Assistant Biological Safety Officer

Apply by eMail:do_not_reply@invalidemail.com

Description:
POSITION PURPOSE The Safety & Environmental Health . Assistant Biological Safety Officer provides solutions to complex biosafety issues for Medical College of Wisconsin’s research community. Working in close collaboration with the Director of Safety & Environmental Health/Biological Safety Officer, the Institutional Biosafety Committee, the Joint Safety Committee, and researchers, this position assists with the safe conduct of biological research, insurance of regulatory compliance, and efficient maintenance of the Biosafety Program. The research lab and office space is approximately 500,000 square feet over 6 building sites with about 3000 faculty and staff directly involved in research activities. The research environment includes expanding BSL-3 facilities and is one of the top academic medical centers in the country. ESSENTIAL DUTIES 1. Assist in management and coordination of the Biological Safety Program for the Medical College of Wisconsin, including management of physical and health risks associated with infectious agents, potentially infectious material, recombinant materials, and biological toxins, ensuring compliance with all federal, local, and corporate policies and regulations. 2. Actively inspect and audit laboratory activities and facilities and recommend appropriate safety procedures in accordance with established best practices and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and in coordination with related safety programs. 3. Develop and implement safety curriculum and databases to ensure effective training, support, and hazard communication for all faculty and staff involved in biological research, coordinating with related safety programs. 4. Fulfill compliance and safety functions as the Assistant Biological Safety Officer and the Alternate Responsible Official, serving in an as-needed basis as liaison to federal, state, and local governmental units (e.g., CDC, NIH, USDA, OSHA, EPA, FDA, DOT/IATA, Wisconsin DATCP, and Wisconsin DNR). 5. Maintain comprehensive and accurate records of inspections, training, and compliance documentation. 6. Assist in development of emergency response plans and biosecurity plans, respond to biological emergencies, and provide follow up assessment of incidents including reporting to appropriate regulatory agencies. 7. Serve as consultant on safety committees, principally the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the Joint Safety Committee, participating in protocol form modification and initial risk assessments of proposed research. 8. Work closely with architects, consultants, engineers, administrators, and researchers in design and construction of new and remodeled facilities to ensure that biological safety issues are adequately addressed and assist in evaluation of facility issues that impact safety. 9. Provide consultations to Medical College of Wisconsin staff on safety and compliance questions, and provide technical assistance to other units within Campus Operations (Public Safety, Facility Engineering and Maintenance, Design and Project Management, Renovations and Campus Services) and to other MCW entities such as Office of Research, Occupational Health, Biomedical Resource Center, and Departmental Chairs and Administrators. 10. Promote and maintain high standards of customer service to MCW faculty, staff, and students, serving as a role model by demonstrating exemplary behaviors when working with customers and fellow staff members. 11. Assist in development and maintenance of multiple communication routes for safety and compliance information. OTHER DUTIES Perform other duties as assigned. Emergency situations occurring evenings or weekends may require presence. MINIMUM POSITION QUALIFICATIONS Appropriate education and/or experience may be substituted on equivalent basis Education: MS degree, PhD preferred, in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, or related field required. Experience: Five years of safety experience preferred. Certifications/Licenses: Certification or eligibility for certification by ABSA (RBP or CBSP) is preferred. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES Must possess knowledge of NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines, CDC regulations for microbial pathogens, and OSHA regulations for Bloodborne Pathogens; Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community needed, as well as good investigative and problem-solving skills; Must have the ability to work well under emergency conditions and must possess ability to effectively make independent decisions; Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.

Apply by eMail:do_not_reply@invalidemail.com

Job Created: Tue Oct 06 2009 06:07:38 AM
Last Modified: Sat Nov 21 2009 06:01:30 AM