Careers

Description:

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years. 

The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) has an outstanding opportunity for a Biological Safety Manager.  

This position is in support of the ongoing current COVID research.

This position is in the Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) and will manage University-Wide Biological Safety Programs to assure safety and regulatory compliance for research involving biohazards including select agents and toxins.  The University’s Biological Safety Programs are in place for the safety of faculty, staff, students, the environment, and the general public. This position will also manage a team of BIOSAFETY professionals who provide BIOSAFETY and compliance monitoring services to the University. The specific areas of oversight and support for the Biological Safety Programs include the following:
•           BIOSAFETY Levels /Animal BIOSAFETY Levels (BSL/ABSL) 1-3
•           Select Agent Program
•           Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) Program
•           Biological Safety Training Program
•           Recombinant DNA
•           BIOSAFETY for animal care and use areas including non-human primates
•           Human gene transfer and recombinant DNA vaccines
•           Transgenic plant research
•           Institutional BIOSAFETY Committee (IBC) support and administration
•           Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) support
•           Institutional Infectious Waste Committee (IWC) support and administration
•           Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Program
•           Biohazardous Waste Management Program
•           Human gene transfer
•           Maintaining Biological Use Authorization (BUA) Program for research with biohazards
•           Shipping and transporting of biohazardous materials

This position is essential for the support of the University’s research and teaching mission. This position must exercise significant judgment, discretion, risk management, and professional expertise in the interpretation and application of federal, state, local, and University policies, protocols, and regulations. This position requires thorough knowledge and application of federal, state, and local regulations, as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other funding agency requirements related to the use of biological agents including recombinant DNA in a research setting.

This position requires knowledge and experience with BIOSAFETY Level-3 and Select Agent Programs, BIOSAFETY Level-2 Programs, and general occupational health and safety in the research and animal care and use environment.
This position must interface effectively with EH&S colleagues, partner departments and clients including the Institutional BIOSAFETY Committee members (IBC), principal Investigators and researchers, departmental Chair and Deans, research support personnel, facilities staff, animal care staff, Office of Animal Welfare (OAW), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and the Human Subjects Division.
This position is responsible for the review and approval of complex research projects which may involve unique hazards that require compliance with complex regulations and funding sponsor environmental health, and safety specifications. This position serves as one of the Alternate Responsible Officials (ARO) for the University’s Select Agent Program.

This position is responsible for developing a compliant and effective BIOSAFETY Program as well as implementation processes. This position is integral to the University’s research enterprise. Compliance with federal CDC requirements, Washington State Department of Safety and Health requirements, and the NIH Recombinant DNA Guidelines is critical to maintaining federal funding for the University. Compliance with these requirements is also critical to the protection of the research personnel, the general public, and the environment. This position is in the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Department, Research and Occupational Safety Section and works with an interdisciplinary team of occupational health and safety professionals with specialties in occupational health nursing, BIOSAFETY, chemical safety, and occupational hygiene.

REQUIREMENTS:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Health, Public Health or related field and four to six years professional experience in a research setting, with experience in biological safety programs; knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements that govern BIOSAFETY, lab safety, infectious waste management
-Experience with BSL-3 laboratories
-Experience as a successful and effective manager of personnel and teams
-Experience overseeing, managing, and implementing large institution-wide safety programs, projects, and initiatives successfully
-Demonstrated teamwork, client service, and decision-making skills, ability to foster collegial and cooperative relationships with co-workers and clients
-Exceptional written and oral communication skills in working with administrators, employees, research departments, health and safety staff, and regulatory agencies
-Exceptional problem solving and risk assessment skills
-Must be able to manage time and priorities effectively
-Able to wear negative and positive respirators, and personal protective equipment
-Certification (or working towards certification) as a Biological Safety Professional

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE
Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, or related field and four years of professional experience in biological safety programs.