"University Biosafety Officer"

Position Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a University Biosafety Officer for the Division of Institutional Planning & Operations (IP&O). The University Biosafety Officer is a manager within Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety (REHS) Department responsible for managing the department's Biosafety Group and the Institution's Biosafety Program. The University Biosafety Officer is the appointed Responsible Official for the Rutgers-NJMS biocontainment facilities, including, but not limited to, the BSL-3 laboratories located in the Medical Science Building (MSB), International Center for Public Health (ICPH), and Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL). The incumbent is the designated official to ensure compliance with various laws, regulations, standards, guidelines, policies, and procedures for BSL-3 facilities. The University Biosafety Officer is an expert on the control and safe handling of biological hazards; the position supports select agent and BSL-3 laboratory directors and managers in developing standard operating procedures and protocols for research, maintains and updates the Biosafety Manual and individual select agent/BSL-3 manuals, and works to create consistency across all safety, security, and emergency response plans and procedures.

Key Duties

• The position supports researchers and others in developing standard operating procedures and protocols for research, maintains and updates the Biosafety Manual, and works to create consistency across plans and procedures.
• The Biosafety Officer maintains and participates in constructive and positive communications, and works with the University's Laboratory Safety Committees, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC) and Institutional Research Boards (IRB) to ensure compliance with the National Institute of Health (NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other standards for recombinant DNA and vaccine research, as well as other applicable laboratory safety regulations or guidelines.
• The position reviews research protocols and activities, conducts periodic inspections of research facilities, and is responsible for reporting significant problems and violations of applicable laboratory safety and biosafety requirements.
• The University Biosafety Officer is a leader within the department and institution, and will oversee the activities and assignments of the department Biosafety Officer(s).

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's Degree in Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Chemistry, Industrial Hygiene and Safety, or other related field of study. At least eight (8) years of work experience as a biosafety specialist, officer, or related biosafety function, three (3) of which must be in the area of planning, operation, and oversight as a Responsible Official or Alternate Responsible Official of Select Agent and BSL-3 laboratories, including animal laboratories.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Must be able to walk/stand for extended periods of time, wear Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) up to Level A, and provide emergency response services, as needed (including rotating on-call/off-hours services). Experience working in a university setting or health care environment preferred. Outstanding human relations and leadership skills, and the ability to function in a team environment are required; must be able to work independently and without supervision, and on multiple simultaneous projects. Demonstrated knowledge is necessary to accomplish superior performance in a unionized environment. Candidate must successfully complete a security risk assessment by the U.S. Department of Justice and be approved for access to select biological agents and toxins by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as a condition of employment.

Special Conditions

Clean Driving Record