Senior EHS Specialist, Associate Biosafety Officer

Genentech; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Genentech in South San Francisco, CA is seeking a Senior EHS Specialist, Associate Biosafety Officer to lead and advance the biosafety program across the SSF campus and network. You will apply microbiology expertise to ensure compliance and safe operations in biological labs.

Responsibilities include IBC operations, protocol reviews, and risk-based oversight of medium-risk EHS programs, with data-driven problem solving and cross-functional collaboration to protect people and the environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or microbiology with relevant experience.
• Experience in biological lab settings with microbiology knowledge.
• Familiarity with EH&S disciplines, regulations, and mandates.
• Ability to set priorities and collaborate across functions.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the campus Biosafety Program and IBC operations.
• Act as liaison for IBC protocol reviews, approvals, and renewals.
• Advise researchers during pre-reviews to resolve compliance concerns.
• Manage medium-risk EHS programs aligning with SSHE goals.
• Validate biosafety program implementation through inspections and follow-ups.
• Prepare agendas and summaries to enhance committee effectiveness.
• Use data-driven judgment to tackle complex problems across teams.

Skills

Biology

Microbiology

Regulatory knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or microbiology with relevant experience

Master’s degree or higher (preferred)

Job description

The Position

Why Genentech

We’re passionate about delivering on Our Promise to improve the lives of patients and create healthier communities for all. We foster a culture of inclusivity, integrity and creativity while boldly pursuing answers to the world’s most complex health challenges and transforming society.

The Opportunity

The Senior EHS Specialist, Associate Biosafety Officer is a hands‑on, critical position responsible for supporting, implementing, administering, and managing the biosafety program at the South San Francisco campus and our network. Our mission is to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of our people, the environment, and our pipeline across the South San Francisco campus and our extensive network. As an experienced EHS Specialist, you will combine biosafety subject‑matter expertise with the ability to to independently address a broad range of difficult problems.

The Senior EHS Specialist, Associate Biosafety Officer will be responsible for supporting the monitoring of laboratories to campus environmental and safety programs and policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations, and ensure a safe workplace. To excel in this position, the ideal candidate combines practical experience in biological laboratories with deep expertise in microbiological sciences. You will demonstrate exceptional critical problem-solving and advanced proficiency in interpreting and applying regional, state, and national biosafety and EHS regulatory frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate the campus Biosafety Program and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) operations to ensure seamless oversight of biological agent usage.

• Act as the primary liaison for IBC protocol reviews, approvals, and renewals to ensure all documentation aligns with regulatory requirements.

• Provide expert guidance to researchers during protocol pre-reviews to resolve compliance concerns and meet external regulatory requirements efficiently.

• Manage assigned medium-risk EHS programs by aligning daily operations with long‑term SSHE strategic goals and outcomes.

• Validate biosafety program implementation through rigorous post‑approval monitoring, site inspections, and proactive follow‑up activities.

• Drive committee effectiveness by preparing detailed agendas, recording scientific deliberations, and generating comprehensive annual performance summaries for leadership.

• Exercise independent, data‑driven judgment to solve complex problems while collaborating cross‑functionally to deliver integrated EHS solutions.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, microbiology, or a related field with 5 years of relevant experience/training; 3 years with a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 11 years of relevant experience/training in lieu of a degree. Professional certification and an advance science degree preferred

• Experience working in a biological lab setting with a strong understanding of microbiological sciences

• Comprehensive expertise regarding specific EH&S disciplines, encompassing relevant statutes and mandates, alongside a broad grasp of universal EH&S principles.

• Proactively set workflow priorities and execute tasks with minimal oversight, while fostering productive partnerships across diverse functions and roles in a collaborative setting.

Location

• This position is based in South San Francisco, CA campus

• Relocation assistance is not available at this time.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $100,000.00-$185,600.00 USD. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.