General Information


Job Description EHS SPEC 3 Working Title Institutional Biosafety Committee Administrator/Assistant Biosafety Officer
Job Code 007146 Grade 22
Department Name Environmental Health & Safety - D01122 Department Head Sheila Hedayati
Supervisor Tran Phan Effective Date 11/08/2021
Position(s) Directly Supervised
Job Code Title FTE

Generic Scope
Experienced professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; independently performs the full range of responsibilities within the function; possesses broad job knowledge; analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope and determines solutions.

Custom Scope
Applies professional knowledge or expertise in one or more specialty areas within EH&S and serves as lead person on one or more program(s) within a single discipline. Work is reviewed upon completion to ensure predetermined objectives are adequately met and that application of professional/technical judgment is sound. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions. Provides regulatory interpretation and technical advice. Decision-making is based on established procedures; relevant laws; regulations and organizational policy; professional best practices; relevant science methodology; impact on other EH&S programs, and senior management approvals as required. Decisions may impact individual work, other EH&S programs, other departments and/or segments of the organization.

Department Custom Scope
Under the direction of the Biosafety Officer/High Containment Lab Director (BSO/HCLD), the incumbent will serve as the campus Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Administrator/Assistant Biosafety Officer (ABSO). As the IBC Administrator/ABSO, this individual will collaborate with the BSO/HCLD, other Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) staff, campus faculty and staff in the efficient and integrated administration of the IBC and delivery of biosafety services on campus and at UCR Health clinic locations. The IBC Administrator/ABSO will oversee the administration of the IBC, perform routine and impromptu audits of research and teaching laboratories, provides training and applies technical knowledge in all campus-related and UCR Health clinics biological safety issues and ensures safe procedures are properly followed and follows up with BSO/HCLD and management as appropriate. In support of the Research Safety program, the incumbent will schedule and conduct independent general laboratory safety evaluations to identify and evaluate a wide variety of potential hazards in the work place. The incumbent will also serve as an alternate for the BSO/HCLD and work with institutional committees including Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Research & Effectiveness (IRE), and High Containment Laboratory Oversight Group (HCLOG) to ensure the safe use of biohazardous materials in research and teaching laboratories. The incumbent will support all biosafety issues related to Federal, State and local regulations and campus policies and procedures.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education Requirements
Degree Requirement
Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Required
Advanced degree in biology, molecular and cell biology, microbiology, virology, or a related discipline and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred

Experience Requirements
Experience Requirement
Experience in the high containment facilities (BSL3/ABSL3) environment, working with infectious agents and recombinant DNA technologies Preferred
4 - 7 years of related experience. Required

License Requirements

Certification Requirements
Certification Requirement
Professional certification. Preferred
Registered Biosafety Professional Preferred
Certified Biosafety Professional Preferred

Educational Condition Requirements
Condition Requirement

Key Responsibilities

Description % Time
Performs technical work related to field(s) of expertise.
  • Provide initial technical and administrative review of all IBC submissions. Oversee and execute the preparation, organization, and dissemination of biological use authorizations in advance of each IBC meeting. Supports the BSO/HCLD in the development and implementation of a comprehensive biological safety program including institutional biosafety policies, guidelines and procedures with emphasis on enhancing program quality and customer service and ensuring compliance with the National Institute of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant and Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines), Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)/NIH Biosafety in Microbiology and Biomedical Laboratories, OSHA, Cal/OSHA and other applicable institutional, local, state and federal regulations, policies and procedures.
30
Develops, implements, and monitors environmental and safety programs, systems, procedures, and training in one or more of the following fields: industrial hygiene, environmental health, pest control, occupational safety, ergonomics, laboratory safety, biosafety, controlled substances, environmental protection, fire safety, radiation safety, hazardous materials control and hazardous waste management (may include shipping).
  • Supports the BSO/HCLD with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) by reviewing Biological Use Authorization (BUA) protocols for accuracy and completeness, corresponding with investigators to address training and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and conducting evaluations of research and teaching laboratories. Provide technical and regulatory advice to the research community regarding general and laboratory safety. Supports the public/environmental health program as needed.
15
Drafts reports and other documentation, including use of relevant scientific data.
  • Supports the BSO/HCLD in conducting routine compliance audits, identifying and coordinating corrective actions, and establishing and implementing effective control measures for biological hazards. Supports the Research Safety team in performing comprehensive lab safety evaluations to identify and evaluate a wide variety of potential hazards (chemical, biological, seismic, fire safety, environmental and general safety) in the work place. Prepare and provide IBC comments, questions, and approvals, and lab evaluation reports to Principal Investigators (PI) identifying lab evaluation findings and abatement recommendations, and work closely with PIs to address IBC comments and close out findings. Prepare and send non-compliance notifications to applicable regulatory agencies. Prepare and report IBC/Biosafety minutes, metrics, and trends to applicable committees, departments, and/or leadership.
15
Performs outreach and communication to organization within relevant field.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the IBC and Principal Investigators (PIs), providing consultation to PIs regarding IBC registration processes, policies, and procedures. Serve as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Federal Select Agent program (USDA/CDC) and, in the absence of the RO, carries out all responsibilities of RO to ensure compliance with the Federal Select Agent Program.
5
Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedures.
5
Monitors compliance and may serve as organization liaison with regulatory agencies.
  • Monitor trends and inform the IBC and BSO/HCLD of updates in current regulatory requirements relating to biosafety. Enhances and maintains a working relationship with Federal, State and County Regulatory Agencies (USDA, APHIS, Cal/OSHA, CDPH, local health care agencies, Fire Dept., etc.). Represents the interests of the campus to various agencies.
5
Inspects, investigates incidents and complaints, and recommends corrective action as needed.
5
Provides training within several EH&S areas.
  • Works closely with research staff, faculty, students, research support units, other university units, institutional committees to promote and and ensure the proper handling, storage, and disposal of biohazardous materials. Designs, develops, and provides formal and informal training to individuals and groups regarding the biosafety program elements, including but not limited to, safe practices, procedures, proper use of containment equipment and facilities assuring safety, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.
5
Creates and adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environment.
5
Within specific field 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.
  • Serves as an alternate member in the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) when BSO/HCLD is not available; Participates as a back-up to the BSO/HCLD on the campus High Containment Laboratory Oversight Group (HCLOG), at the UC systemwide Biosafety Officer workgroup, BSL-3 High Containment Oversight Committee meetings, systemwide HCLD workgroup meetings and participates in UCOP High Containment Laboratory Committee (HCLOC) projects as assigned.
5
Participates in the incident response system, responding as requested to after-hours incidents that require joint cooperation between Fire, Police, Facilities Services, EH&S, and other units. Works occasional evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays.
5

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge/Skill/Ability Requirement
Strong skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required. Required
Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time and budget constraints. Required
Thorough knowledge/understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations; and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields. Required
Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skill to communicate effectively in a diverse environment. Required
Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines. Required

Special Requirements & Conditions
Special Condition Requirement
Occasional travel for university related business meetings, conferences and/or professional development. Required
Must possess or obtain a Valid CA Drivers License in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, if driving a university/personal vehicle for university related business. Preferred
Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident as required by federal regulations in order to serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). Required
Occassional federal government mandated background checks. Required
Travel Required
Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours Required

Other Special Requirements & Conditions

Level of Supervision Received
General Supervision

Environment

Working Environment
Campus

Other Requirements

Items Used
  • University Vehicle
  • Respirator
  • Standard Office Equipment
  • PPE

Physical Requirements
  • Bend : Occasionally
  • Sit : Frequently
  • Squat : Occasionally
  • Stand : Frequently
  • Crawl : Occasionally
  • Walk : Frequently
  • Climb : Occasionally
  • Other : Frequently reach above shoulder level, occasionally use fine finger movements

Mental Requirements
  • Read/Comprehend : Constantly
  • Write : Frequently
  • Perform Calculations : Constantly
  • Communicate Orally : Constantly
  • Reason & Analyze : Constantly

Environmental Requirements
  • Is exposed to excessive noise : No
  • Is around moving machinery : No
  • Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity : No
  • Drives motorized equipment : No
  • Works in confined quarters : No
  • Dust : No
  • Fumes : No

Critical Position

Is Critical Position: Yes

More Information

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