EH&S Compliance Specialist (Biological Safety)

Job Summary: The EH&S Compliance Specialist (Biological Safety) will serve as technical associate for the JFRC Office Of Environmental Health & Safety/Compliance in daily matters concerning biological safety and occupational health. This includes but is not limited to aiding in the research and interpretation of applicable regulations, aiding in management of safety training programs, managing operation and testing of safety equipment, serving as laboratory and departmental inspection team member, and managing EH&S or Compliance related projects, aiding in management of safety software, waste management assistance, and assisting with EH&S questions or concerns for the JFRC community. Principal Responsibilities: Develops, implements, maintains and monitors Biosafety programs, policies and procedures to control and eliminate exposures to biological hazards. Provides recommendations for the safe use, proper storage, and disposal of biological and potentially infectious waste materials in compliance with local, state, federal regulations and JFRC policies and guidelines. Maintains and monitors JFRC comprehensive Blood borne Pathogen Standard Program. Provides administrative and technical support to the JFRC Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Maintains and manages inventory, certification, and inspection of JFRC laminar flow equipment program (Biosafety cabinets and clean benches). Reviews and approves JFRC research protocols including biohazardous materials and recombinant DNA. Initiates medical surveillance review of research protocols. Conducts Biosafety inspections for laboratories that work with human or animal pathogens. Maintains, develops, and conducts Biosafety training in blood borne pathogens, recombinant DNA, emergency response, and infectious agents. Maintains and updates JFRC personnel listing and requirements for the Biosafety and occupational health (medical surveillance) program. Provides administrative and technical guidance for JFRC Animal Care and Use Occupational Health Program. Reviews new facility design, renovation projects, equipment application, risk/hazard assessment, and personal protective equipment for compliance with JFRC Biosafety Program policies, procedures, and appropriate CDC/NIH guidelines. Maintains and coordinates EH&S biological waste management program. Responds, investigates, and provides technical guidance and coordination of JFRC workplace incidents. Responds and assists in mitigation of campus emergencies involving hazardous materials and other similar materials. Participates in EH&S/Compliance departmental on-call emergency response program. Provides as backup support and coverage for overall JFRC EHS/Compliance safety programs. Assists with preparation and coordination of annual EH&S conference. Perform other duties as assigned. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Biology or a related area or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary. Experience in a clinical/environmental laboratory, university or research organization. Minimum of three (3) years in the following areas: Experience working in the biological safety field. This experience should include working with laboratory safety equipment, performing safety inspections, researching and interpreting regulations, biological safety training programs, and managing biological safety concerns and requests. Experience with biological waste coordination and/ or management. Excellent organizational and administrative skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent computer skills. Ability to perform in a fast-paced, highly diverse, multi-disciplinary scientific environment. Effective tact, diplomacy, and judgment required in dealing with staff at all levels of the organization. MS Word, Excel, and Office Suite software skills. Excellent knowledge of state and federal regulations and standards governing biological and occupational hazards. Excellent knowledge pertaining to the acquisition, transportation, use and storage of biological materials. Excellent technical knowledge of the purpose and function of installed laboratory equipment such as autoclaves, Biosafety cabinets, microfuges, centrifuges, and common biological laboratory equipment. Physical Requirements: Lift up to approximately 50 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Pushing of objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Frequent walking, standing (prolonged), sitting (prolonged) or bending. Subject to hazards including moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working or scaffolding in high places, exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, oils, solvents, asbestos, biological materials or radiation. Must be able to pass a medical evaluation for wearing respiratory protective gear as well as wear protective clothing. Additional Information: Please include a cover letter and three references with your resume. Please include the job title in the subject line. To Apply To apply for this position, please email or send your resume to: Ms. Debbie Dyke Howard Hughes Medical Institute 19700 Helix Drive Ashburn, Virginia 20147 Fax: 571-209-4079 E-mail: jfrcjobs@janelia.hhmi.org