Typically: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. Varies if emergency response is required.

Pay Range

The Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Research Biosafety - Senior Specialist is responsible for oversight of work involving biological materials in Academic and Research work environments. This role works with departments to minimize occupational health and safety risks and manages compliance with applicable regulations.

This position provides leadership guidance and direction in achieving outcomes consistent with the organization goals mission philosophy and objectives within the Enterprise and Regional protocols regulatory accreditation standards and academic best practices. The Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Research Biosafety - Senior Specialist will develop and implement comprehensive programs policies and procedures to ensure all academic and research areas comply with applicable regulations and best practices.

Major Responsibilities

• Develop implement and manage comprehensive biosafety programs to promote safe microbiological practices and procedures to protect overall health and safety of employees and the community.
  • Conduct comprehensive risk assessments for research involving biological materials.
  • Serve as the Institution Administrator and protocol reviewer for the Institutional Biosafety Committee for laboratory and clinical research.
  • Conduct routine inspections of laboratories working with biological materials to ensure compliance with regulatory compliance.
  • Leads or participates in incident investigations related to occupational illnesses or exposures and recommends corrective actions to prevent future occurrences through recommendation of appropriate engineering controls administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Provide oversight of Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) containment lab facilities designed specifically for high-hazard work with infectious agents.
• Provide necessary support and guidance for medical surveillance and occupational health programs required for biomedical research.
  • Develop and administer training or educational resources for Research and Academic teammates.

• Directs and interacts with regulatory agency personnel during compliance inspections for research.

• Understands and shares technical expertise with others including leaders peers and teammates and utilizes problem solving skills for complex situations that arise.

• Provide consult for construction renovation or demolition projects that affect research and academic facilities.
• Serve as a member of the hazardous materials spill response team which may also include response on weekends and after regular business hours.

• Participate as Ex Officio member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Chemical Safety Committee (CSC) and other committees as needed.

• Stay current with new regulations industry trends and advancements in biosafety/biosecurity and recommend appropriate changes to existing programs and practices.

Education

Bachelors degree required. Physical Science Biological Science Environmental Science/Engineering Occupational Safety or related degree.

Masters degree preferred.

Certification / License

Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) preferred.

Work Experience

5 years of related minimum experience.

Experience in Environmental Health and Safety. Experience in biomedical research oversight design and operations of high containment facilities animal research and/or research laboratories preferred.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Familiarity with regulatory agency code requirements and the progressive application of these standards including National Institute of Health Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories EPA and OSHA requirements preferred.

• Knowledge of the principles fundamentals and best practices microbiological concepts and biomedical research.
• Self-motivated ability to work with supervision and professional judgment and ability to work independently or as a team.
• Detail-oriented demonstrated organizational and time management skills and ability to manage/prioritize track and complete tasks/projects within established deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to interact professionally and effectively with wide variety of individuals (researchers staff students administrators and regulators) behaving in accordance with institutional values.
• Committed to customer service timely response collaboration cooperative professional relationships and diversity.
• Ability to use sound judgment and act decisively in high-stress or emergency situations.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills.
• The position involves presence in research labs health care environments animal facilities and hazardous waste facilities. These locations may result in occasional occupational exposure to ionizing radiation chemicals and biological agents.

• Ability to provide detailed reviews covering work with animals and infectious materials recombinant DNA and toxins.

• Ability to analyze multiple programs identify areas needing improvements and prioritize needs for effective short and long-term strategic planning.

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including respiratory protection protective suits etc.). Must have sufficient mobility dexterity and endurance to perform field visits. Must be able to access any facility areas to perform inspections job safety assessments emergency response or related activities.

• Knowledge of laboratory containment engineering lab design facilities requirements for verification and reverification.

• Competent using PC office productivity applications presentation applications and database applications.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Work is performed in multiple facilities requiring travel therefore will be exposed to weather and road conditions.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.

• Ability to lift and carry heavy materials and equipment.
• Ability to climb/descend ladders.
• Physically able to serve on hazardous materials spill response team.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including respiratory protection protective suits etc. Must have sufficient mobility dexterity and endurance to perform field visits. Must be able to access any facility areas to perform inspections job safety assessments emergency response or related activities.

• May be subject to hazards (e.g. chemicals mechanical conditions etc.) and atmospheric conditions (e.g. dust fumes etc.)

• Responsible for setting a strong example of safety by working in a safe manner and utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate.

DISCLAIMER

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders.

Our CommitmenttoYou:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs competitive compensation generous retirement offerings programs that invest in your career development and so much more so you can live fully at and away from work including:

Compensation

• Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications skills relevant experience and/or training
• Premium pay such as shift on call and more based on a teammates job
• Incentive pay for select positions
• Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical dental vision life andShort- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program