Associate Biosafety Officer - ABSO (0358U) - #77635

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Departmental Overview

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship. EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission. For more information, visit http://ehs.berkeley.edu

Position Summary

The Associate Biosafety Officer (ABSO) serves as a technical expert working in unison with the Campus Biosafety Officer, ensuring the safe use of campus biological agents, recombinant DNA and biohazards in accordance with NIH Guidelines and other applicable regulations; and provides support to other laboratory safety inspection program. Position will also serve as a biosafety subject matter expert throughout the BUA application process, and support the campus research, including incubator and entrepreneurial enterprises. The Associate Biosafety Officer trains and mentors junior biosafety staff members and other EH&S professionals, as well as assigns administrative work and oversight duties as needed to ensure the biosafety team is performing as a cohesive unit; may be assigned as worklead, or as Supervisor.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 04/25/2025. This position is open until filled.

Responsibilities

Serves as a technical associate to the Campus Biosafety Officer, ensuring the safe use of campus bioagents and biohazards via development of program improvements to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.

• Monitors biosafety compliance of biological research labs on campus that work with toxins and/or human or nonhuman blood, body fluids, tissues, cell or cell lines, recombinant DNA, plant and animal pathogens, and transgenic species, including but not limited to:
• Responsible for all communication regarding Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) to ensure compliance with CDC, NIH and other applicable university, federal and state regulations and requirements.
• Conducts biosafety inspections of laboratories that work with human, plant, or animal pathogens and recombinant DNA. Identifies corrective actions and writes reports.
• Responsible for inspection follow-up and recommending appropriate corrective actions to BSO.
• Conducts periodic audits of agent inventory to verify BUA accuracy.
• Provides guidance to researchers in the field or laboratory regarding safe work practice alternatives, such as safe sharp implementation or workflow design changes.
• Periodically communicates with BUA holders regarding their BUA and regulatory training compliance status, monitors biosafety cabinet certification status, monitors Material Transfer Agreements, as well as other dynamic lab-specific information.
• Provides primary and direct support to focused researched centers, including centers of innovation and bio-entrepreneurs via MOUs or other campus agreements

Mentors and trains junior staff members and inspection team on the principles and practices of biosafety.

• May be assigned as Worklead or as direct supervisor to team of biosafety officers and/or student employees.
• As Worklead, works with Manager to set group priorities
• Responsible for developing and facilitating of work processes and procedures associated with assigned functional lead role to meet campus or regulatory standards
• Directs, trains, and oversees the daily or project work and activities of a work team or individuals
• Assists supervisor, as needed, with prioritizing work for work group members
• Implement and lead work group meetings to enhance group performance
• Provides ongoing performance feedback to supervisors of individuals in group
• As Supervisor, all items above, including
• Provides comprehensive personnel administration including selection, training, evaluation, performance management, and as required, corrective action for multiple staff levels.
• Ensures staff are fully and properly trained to meet mandatory training requirements of positions.

Within specific field of biosafety, maintains knowledge/expertise on existing/proposed changes in all regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws, regulations, codes and standards, including making recommendations for work environment changes based on interpretations and principles of professional practices.

• Independently develop, revise, and edit all client facing campus guidance documents to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provides input to federal and state regulators through trade associations and industry groups for writing and revision of regulations.
• Completes and maintains compliance on campus/systemwide training requirements, as well as any training necessary per role.
• *See Governing Laws & Regulations below.

Works with the Office of Technology Licensing and EH&S Shipping Specialist on bio-related shipping requests to ensure compliance with DOT and IATA guidelines.

Investigates biological incidents, which may result in writing regulatory incident reports, root cause analysis, and devising recommendations for corrective actions as needed.

Staff development:

• Works on professional committees and assignments, participates in professional training and attends relevant conferences, and/or is mentored or coached on a formal or informal basis.

At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Administration/Research, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), serve in a designate role within the EH&S Emergency Support Function and be on call to the campus Emergency Operations Center in a campus designated disaster, campus hazardous material release/threatened release or urgent situation. Provide appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.

May be assigned as Member of Designated Spill Response Team (Regular rotation, 24/7, up to every 6-8 weeks or more frequently as needed.)

• Provide technical support to the Dedicated Spill Response Team (DSRT) program by serving as a "Designated Responder". Must be accessible via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during business hours. Will perform directly or coordinate any necessary field activities to evaluate and mitigate a hazard.
• Provide technical support to the DSRT program by serving as the "Lead Off-Hours Responder". Must be accessible by UCPD via telephone and readily available to respond on-scene to emergencies (e.g., a chemical spill) during non-business hours. Must be within one hour of campus and may not engage in activity that will affect the ability to respond.
• To serve as a designated responder, incumbent must meet the specific requirements of the DSRT program as outlined in the EH&S DSRT Program Guidelines. These include occupational physical qualifications; medical baseline is required.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced or expert knowledge/understanding of broad range of EH&S fields and familiarity with all EH&S fields, specifically biosafety.
• Advanced or expert knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards, guidelines and, as appropriate, recommend organization policy.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills, including advanced political acumen and skill to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies in a highly political environment.
• Advanced skill to effectively represent the organization to state and federal authorities, and community groups.
• Advanced analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within budget and time constraints.
• Advanced skill in mentoring or overseeing the work of other EH&S technical and professional staff.
• Advanced skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in microbiology or in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Professional certification (RBP, CBSP).

**Governing Laws and Regulations**

• USDA Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002; Possession, Use and Transfer of Biological Agents and Toxins.
• DHHS Regulations for the Possession, Use, and Transfer of Select Agents and Toxins.
• NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules.
• NIH/CDC Guidelines "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories".
• Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
• Cal/OSHA Lab Hood Standard.
• Cal/OSHA Airborne Transmissible Disease Standard.
• California Medical Waste Management Act.
• IATA, DOC, DOT, USDA, CDC, USFW, CDFA, CDFG transportation, importation and shipping regulations.
• USDA Field Release Permits.
• EPA Field Release Regulations.
• Applicable Cal/OSHA standards (Aerosol Transmissible Diseases, Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, Fume Hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets, IIPP, HAZWOPER).
• City of Berkeley Hazardous Materials Ordinance.
• National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity guidelines.
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife Regulations governing transgenic aquatic animals.

Salary & Benefits

This is a 100% full-time (40 hrs a week) exempt career position, which is paid monthly at an annual rate and is eligible for UC Benefits.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $98,600.00 - $150,000.00, commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical Exam

• Employment is contingent upon passing a physical exam.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.