Senior ACL-3 Safety & Facility Manager

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences seeks a Facility Manager for an ACL-3 high-containment suite. You will ensure compliance with CDC/USDA and state oversight, manage permits, and serve as the primary liaison for regulatory agencies.

The role requires leadership in safety training, SOP development, PPE inventory, and incident response. You will coordinate with EH&S, UC Police, and PI teams to sustain operations with zero regulatory violations.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in biological sciences, entomology, microbiology, or a closely related field required.
• Demonstrated background in insect biology, biosafety science, agricultural pest research, or a closely related research discipline is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of administrative, budgetary, human resources and financial principles and practices, preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of ACL-2/ACL-3 arthropod containment practices, BSL-2/BSL-3 biosafety protocols, and the federal regulatory frameworks governing high-containment biological research (including USDA, CDC, and IBC requirements).
• Demonstrated experience managing safety documentation, BUA/LHAT/HCP compliance records, and audit preparation.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, regulatory agency representatives, institutional safety officers, and facility users at all levels.
• Advanced ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills. Demonstrated ability to independently diagnose facility operational problems, assess compliance risks, and develop practical solutions under time pressure and with minimal supervision.
• Advanced interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results. Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively across multiple research groups, federal agency representatives, institutional departments, and visiting scholars.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory or facility purchasing, vendor relationships, equipment maintenance contracts, and operational budgets in a research environment.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software for recordkeeping, scheduling, inventory management, and regulatory documentation. Familiarity with Google Workspace (Drive, Sheets, Calendar) preferred.
• Willingness to embrace UC San Diego's Principles of Community and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Maintain continuous compliance and administer federal permits for regulated organisms.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and keep audit-ready records.
• Coordinate annual facility shutdowns and verify HVAC, biosafety cabinets, autoclaves, and containment integrity.
• Align ABSL-3 users to prevent conflicts and manage facility access and documentation.
• Develop and update safety manuals and SOPs for containment, decontamination, and emergency response.
• Design and deliver biosafety training with certification tracking.
• Oversee ACL-3 PPE inventory and respiratory-protection standards; create contingency plans.
• Coordinate with EH&S and UC Police during incidents and report to CDC/USDA.
• Collaborate with the Dean’s Office, Abkari lab researchers, and PIs to expand the role’s scope.

Skills

Insect biology

Biosafety compliance

Regulatory liaison

Oral and written communication

Training program development

Budget and HR knowledge

Problem solving under time pressure

Cross-department collaboration

ACL-3 containment knowledge

Permit management

Education

Doctorate in Biological Sciences or related field

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences seeks a Facility Manager for an ACL-3 high-containment suite. You will ensure compliance with CDC/USDA and state oversight, manage permits, and serve as the primary liaison for regulatory agencies.

The role requires leadership in safety training, SOP development, PPE inventory, and incident response. You will coordinate with EH&S, UC Police, and PI teams to sustain operations with zero regulatory violations.