Biological Safety Officer

UMBC: Recent Jobs; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Life and disability insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development opportunities

Wellness opportunities

Much more

Job summary

UMBC seeks a Biosafety Officer/Specialist to oversee the university's biosafety program and support researchers, faculty, staff, and students engaged in biological work. You will provide expertise, guidance, and training to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional safety standards.

This role offers a limited hybrid telework option, a starting salary around $88,000, and opportunities for professional development and tuition remission.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field.
• Two years of experience in a biological safety officer level position
• Five years of experience at the assistant biological safety officer/specialist level.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the university's biosafety program, ensuring that research involving biological agents is conducted safely and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Advise faculty, researchers, students, and staff on biosafety practices, containment, risk assessment and laboratory procedures.
• Manages compliance with federal, state and University regulations, policies and procedures governing research using recombinant DNA molecules and biological agents and other research activities, including the campus biological safety program.
• Serves as an Institutional Biosafety Committee member.
• Assists investigators and staff in interpreting regulations and guidelines for biological agents and recombinant DNS, biological agent shipping, biocontainment facility design, biosafety practices, risk assessment, work practices, and decontamination.
• Manages the laboratory safety inspection program.
• Assists the Responsible Official with development and implementation of the Select Agent Program.
• Develops and implements training programs.
• Responds to and assists with mitigation of emergencies and spills involving biohazardous materials.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field

Job description

Department

The Environmental Safety & Health Department (ESH)is dedicated to supporting UMBC’s mission of conducting research, education, and clinical care in a safe and healthy environment while furthering environmental stewardship and sustainability. ESH provides leadership for university health and safety programs; establishes, monitors, and enforces institutional policies and procedures; and helps ensure that investigators, staff, students, and contractors comply with all federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulatory standards and codes, including university policies and procedures ESH provides education and guidance on environmental health and safety issues, including work practices and activities involving hazardous and regulated materials, equipment, and environments. In addition, ESH provides administrative support for the Institutional Biological and Chemical Safety Committee (IBC), the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), and other independent environmental health and safety committees that review protocols describing research activities.

Position Overview

The Biosafety Officer/Specialist plays an important role in supporting a safe and compliant research environment across the university. This position serves the campus community by providing expertise, guidance, training, and support to researchers, faculty, staff, and students engaged in Biological research.

Why Work at UMBC?

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $88,000and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

What is it like to work at UMBC? Check outGlassdoor orIndeed.

For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For!

Telework

A limited hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Responsibilities

Oversee the university's biosafety program, ensuring that research involving biological agents is conducted safely and in compliance with applicable requirements. Advise faculty, researchers, students, and staff on biosafety practices, containment, risk assessment and laboratory procedures.

Responsibilities include:

• Manages compliance with federal, state and University regulations, policies and procedures governing research using recombinant DNA molecules and biological agents and other research activities, including the campus biological safety program.
• Serves as an Institutional Biosafety Committee member.
• Assists investigators and staff in interpreting regulations and guidelines for biological agents and recombinant DNS, biological agent shipping, biocontainment facility design, biosafety practices, risk assessment, work practices, and decontamination.
• Manages the laboratory safety inspection program.
• Assists the Responsible Official with development and implementation of the Select Agent Program.
• Develops and implements training programs.
• Responds to and assists with mitigation of emergencies and spills involving biohazardous materials.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field.

Two years of experience in a biological safety officer level position

Five years of experience at the assistant biological safety officer/specialist level.

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Biosafety Safety Professional preferred.

Background Screening Statement

A background check will be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload a cover letter and a resume.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Benefits

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave
• 15 Days of Sick Leave
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary

Salary: $88,000- $99,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hours

Full Time

Type

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Equal Opportunity Statement

UMBC is an Affir…

Title IX

As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here.

Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Work Authorization

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.