Req #:	175575
Department:	ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY (EH&S)
Job Location:	Seattle Campus
Posting Date:	01/10/2020
Closing Info:	Closes On   03/09/2020
Salary:	Salary is commensurate with experience and education
Shift:	First Shift
Notes:	As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.  For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.

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 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 select 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
60% Manage Biological Safety Programs
•           Manage the Institutional Biological Safety Programs which include the UW Select Agent Program, the Biological Use Authorization of research protocols, and the administrative and technical support to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
•           Lead and incorporate strategic planning initiatives from the EH&S Strategic plan into the section's and position's routine work plan. Lead and support data gathering for metrics and performance monitoring of programs to ensure organizational efficiencies and desired outcomes are met and program goals are reached.
•           Develop and maintain Biological Safety Program Metrics to be shared with EH&S staff, research departments, IBC, and University Administration.
•           Serve as the designated Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) and may serve as the Responsible Official (RO) for the Select Agent Program.
•           Provide UW departments with a program of technical assistance, training, and consultation needed to help them achieve safety and regulatory compliance in the use of biohazardous materials.
•           Develop, monitor, and renew contracts as necessary for laboratory certifications and decontamination.
•           Assist with design review of new or renovated research spaces involving research with biohazards.
•           Maintain the University’s written policies and procedures for the oversight of research involving biohazardous agents.
•           Evaluate and review research proposals, laboratory operations, and laboratory facilities for all aspects of biosafety to assure appropriate safety controls, containment, and compliance with CDC, NIH, and federal, state, local, and University requirements. This includes review of scientific literature, job hazard analysis, and field inspections.
•           Review facility designs for new and existing facilities and laboratories where biological agents and recombinant DNA are used.
•           Maintain, develop, and implement policies, procedures, and processes required for an effective, compliant, and efficient biosafety program.
•           Provide regulatory/compliance interpretations and technical assistance to research and service units. Oversee the content and quality of biological safety training and outreach materials for the University. Develop and provide outreach, educational, and training materials.
•           Work closely with research staff, faculty, students, university units, and institutional committees to promote safe laboratory practices, procedures, proper use of containment equipment and facilities, and the assurance of safety, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.
•           Lead and conduct compliance audits, identify corrective actions, and prepare written status and compliance reports.
•           Lead and provide reports on biosafety status, issues, compliance, and program effectiveness to the IBC and University Administration.
•           Respond to, perform root cause investigation, and follow up with biological safety incidents.
•           Serve on and/or support Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Infectious Waste Committee.
•           Serve on departmental management team, and lead and assist with strategic planning efforts.
•           Serve as the regulatory liaison for agencies that oversee research involving biohazards. Respond to inquiries, participate and coordinate regulatory inspections, prepare inspection response documents, coordinate with other departments and stakeholders as appropriate, and incorporate inspection results into programs.
•           Lead and conduct routine audits including surveys to ensure compliance and effectiveness of Biological Safety Programs.

30% Manage Biological Safety Team
•           Manage 5 biological safety professionals.
•           Lead and maintain a unit culture of customer service, accountability, and technical excellence.
•           Manage personnel and assure staff are technically skilled and have training plans.
•           Plan, assign, and review work of assigned staff to assure that strategic goals and objectives are being met.
•           Maintain job descriptions, recruit, interview, and hire new staff, monitor performance, complete annual performance evaluations, and implement disciplinary action when needed.

10% Other Duties as Assigned
•           Attend EH&S departmental and team meetings, work on special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.
•           Serve on departmental interdisciplinary teams as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Manage a staff of biosafety professionals

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
-Possess a valid Washington State Driver's License
-Able to wear negative and positive respirators, and personal protective equipment
-Successful completion of background check by DOJ/CDC
-Certification (or working towards certification) as a Biological Safety Professional
-Maintain medical clearance to work in biohazard locations
-Maintain federal security clearance and suitability assessment clearance for Select Agent Program

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

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.  Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.