Description

Summary

The Biosafety Officer is responsible for providing support of the development and implementation of the Tulane University Biosafety Program at the Tulane University National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Biosafety. The Biosafety Officer provides services directly to TNPRC and Tulane personnel through field consultations, inspections, training, and lab assistance in BSL3 core lab facilities. The employee is responsible for supporting the development of a comprehensive biosafety program at TNPRC/ Tulane University in accordance with federal, state, local regulations and university policy.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate complex technical issues to diverse clients. Skills in customer service and collaborative attitude, as well as exceptional written and oral communication.

• Knowledge of database development, querying, word processing, spreadsheet development, using MS Office to accomplish work-related tasks. Demonstrated ability to perform library and Internet searches to collect technical and regulatory information.

• Knowledge of laboratory containment engineering, lab design, facilities requirements for verification and reverification.

• Ability to teach and train staff of varying experience levels on biosafety practices and procedures in a classroom and in interactive laboratory environments.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with a collaborative orientation.

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection equipment (negative pressure PAPR or N95). Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform field visits. Must be able to access any area of the University to perform inspections, job safety assessments, emergency response, and related activities.

• Ability to provide detailed reviews covering work with animals and infectious materials, recombinant DNA, and toxins.

SPECIAL REQUIRED ABILITY FOR INCUMBENTS WHO HAVE CONTACT OR EXPOSURE TO ANIMALS OR ANIMAL TISSUES:

Ability to complete and pass successfully the required occupational health screening referenced in the University's Animal Handler Health Surveillance Program on an annual basis.

REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECK, PHYSICAL, AND DRUG SCREENING FOR INCUMBENTS WHO HAVE CONTACT OR EXPOSURE TO ANIMALS OR ANIMAL TISSUES:

Selected candidates must complete and pass a background check and an occupational health screening as a condition of employment. For identified jobs, a drug screening will also be required. The background investigation required occupational health screening, and any required drug screening will be conducted after a conditional employment offer has been extended.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in safety, industrial hygiene, microbiology, molecular biology, biology, public health or other related discipline is required.
• Two (2) years of experience as a biosafety professional or supporting the management of biosafety containment facilities, to include work experience as a laboratorian or research scientist in a biological laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in safety, industrial hygiene, microbiology, molecular biology, biology, public health or other related discipline.
• Experience in a University research environment.
• Background accessing and performing facility verification in laboratories working with infectious materials and/or those laboratories using BSL3/ABSL3 or other high consequence biological pathogens.

• Five (5) or more years of experience as a biosafety professional or supporting the management of biosafety containment facilities.