Job description

Applicants must apply on-line at https://jobs.okstate.edu.

If you do NOT, your application will NOT be considered.

Under the direction of the Biological Safety Officer (BSO), the Biosafety Specialist helps monitor and coordinate the campus-wide biosafety program, which includes providing support to biosafety and biosecurity efforts, including efforts involving oversight of select agent and toxin activities. Conducts risk-based inspections of research and teaching laboratories falling within the purview of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Helps process protocol applications submitted for IBC review. Responds to emergencies in biosafety laboratories.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides assistance in the management of a comprehensive biological safety program, which includes assisting with coordination of IBC activities, ensuring compliance with federal regulatory requirements & institutional policies germane to the use of biohazardous materials, conducting biological safety inspections of laboratories, and acting as liaison to university personnel for matters related to biosafety.

Specific:

1. Provides consultative services to University personnel and IBC members regarding issues and concerns associated with regulations, policies, and procedures governing activities involving the use of biohazardous material, including assisting individuals with meeting requirements of external regulatory bodies and the IBC.

2. Assists with risk assessments related to the use of biohazardous material to corroborate safety measures and compliance.

3. Assists the BSO and the Assistant Biological Safety Officer (ABSO) with developing and updating pertinent safety policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), as needed.

4. Helps the BSO in scheduling and providing general biosafety training to University personnel, as needed. This includes helping to develop training materials.

5. Acts as a member of a team that is trained on and operates a VHP decontamination unit, including setting up the equipment, operating it in accordance with SOPs, and maintaining it and pertinent records related to its use.

6. Responds to and assists with incident/emergency response actions.

7. Provides back-up coverage to emergencies in the absence of the BSO and/or the ABSO.

8. Provides administrative support to the BSO and the IBC Chair.

9. Serves as a resource for investigators and instructors regarding review requirements for IBC protocols, including questions concerning the applicability of federal regulations and the IBC application process.

10. Performs preliminary administrative reviews of protocols that are submitted to the IBC, checking for accuracy and completeness. Follows-up with the appropriate individual if an application is incomplete.

11. Tracks pending IBC protocols and advises University personnel on the status of their project’s review.

12. Ensures that sensitive and confidential issues are communicated, resolved, and properly documented in accordance with all applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

13. Works to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, guidelines, and directives, including those issued by the NIH, USDA-APHIS, and CDC.

14. Helps to ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures pertaining to activities involving the use of recombinant DNA and infectious agents and toxins.

15. Serves as an alternate responsible official (ARO) for the university’s select agent program.

16. Helps with risk assessments related to the use of biohazardous material, to corroborate safety measures and compliance. Assists in advising investigators and instructors regarding appropriate biocontainment levels and applicable regulations and guidelines.

17. Helps with the review of proposals, laboratory SOPs, grant/contract applications, and Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) questionnaires.

18. Helps the BSO and the ABSO maintain accurate records of ongoing activities falling within the IBC’s purview.

19. Helps the BSO in developing, implementing, and enhancing checklists and other auditing/surveying methods designed to assess the adequacy of operations and facilities falling within IBC purview.

20. Helps with inspections of laboratories and facilities falling within IBC purview.

21. Documents and reports deficiencies and violations and helps with preparation of written inspection reports and corrective action reports, as needed.

22. Interacts with investigators, instructors, laboratory personnel, and others, as needed, to ensure identified deficiencies are corrected in a timely manner. Follows up on the remediation of problems found during inspections on behalf of the BSO.

23. Helps the BSO with documentation of certain laboratory inventories, as required by federal regulations.

24. Helps in the decommissioning of laboratories that are subject to IBC inspection in order to ensure that all biohazardous materials have been handled appropriately and that the space has been appropriately decontaminated.

25. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, food/animal science, or related field. At least two years professional experience in the field of biosafety or two years demonstrated experience working with biohazardous material in a research setting. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience working in a BSL-2 laboratory or higher.

Working knowledge of microbiology and the ability to evaluate microorganisms, toxins, and nucleic acids in terms of biosafety.

Knowledge of recombinant DNA, biotoxins, and microbial human and animal pathogens.

Ability to recognize unsafe conditions and practices related to the use of biohazardous material.

Excellent communication skills.

Solid interpersonal skills.

Proficient computer skills.

Must be able to easily access confined laboratory spaces.

Must be able to lift at least 40 pounds.

Must be able to wear/use personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection.

Must possess a valid driver’s license for travel between sites.

Must be eligible for employment in areas governed by the U.S. Patriot Act and the Public Health and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, 42 CFR 73, 7 CFR 331, and 9 CFR 121. Consequently, the person hired for this position must successfully complete a Department of Justice/Federal Bureau of Investigation (DOJ/FBI) security risk assessment.

The individual is required to carry a cellular device for handling university business. Due to the communication expectations of the position, the incumbent will be required to maintain a cellular or other electronic communication device. The incumbent’s salary includes compensation to apply toward the use of their personal cellular device or a university cellular device will be provided.

Applicants must apply on-line at https://jobs.okstate.edu. When applying, refer to Req12795. Applicants should attach a resume, a letter of application, and the names, addresses (including e-mail addresses), and telephone numbers of three professional references. Applications will be accepted until a successful candidate is selected.

Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/E-verify employer committed to diversity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. OSU is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and desires priority referrals of protected veterans for its openings.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• On call
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Stillwater, OK 74078: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: One location

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