Biosafety Specialist II

Job Summary:

The Jackson Laboratory is looking a Biosafety Specialist to join the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team in Bar Harbor, Maine. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic team and assist the Biosafety Program in key aspects of oversight and regulation at the facilities located in California, Connecticut, Maine, and Florida. The Biosafety Program at JAX is responsible for providing support to JAX personnel concerning the recognition, evaluation, and control of biological hazards. Our goal is to provide the safest work environment for JAX employees as well as to minimize risks associated with handling biological agents to fellow JAX employees as well as to the surrounding communities and the environment.

Reporting to the JAX Biosafety Officer (BSO), and ideally based at the Bar Harbor Maine site, the Biosafety Specialist will review new research projects utilizing biological agents in consultation with the JAX BSO, write Risk Assessments and Safety Plans for biological agents and hazardous chemicals, maintain Sharps Injury logs, perform investigations of sharps-related injuries, review Biosafety Program-related documents, provide post-approval monitoring of IBC-approved protocols, update and assign Biosafety training, and respond to biological spills at the Bar Harbor, Maine site. This position will cross-train with the Bar Harbor EHS team to assist in other aspects of EHS so this is an exciting opportunity to learn all aspects of EHS in addition to biosafety!

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Review: Review new research projects and amendments to existing projects utilizing biological agents (BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-2+, and/or ABSL-1, ABSL-2), in consultation with The Jackson Laboratory’s Biosafety Officer (BSO) and the JAX Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and provide input on risk assessment and safety of the proposed research. Perform pre-review of IBC Registration and Amendments prior to submittal of final versions to the IBC. 40% effort.
• Write Risk Assessments and Safety Plan templates for biohazardous agents. Thorough execution of written Risk Assessments should identify the hazardous characteristics of a known infectious or potentially infectious agent or material, the activities that can result in a person’s exposure to an agent, the likelihood that such an exposure will cause a laboratory-acquired infection (LAI), and the probable consequences of such exposure; which leads to effective Safety Plans for in vitro and/or in vivo work. 20% effort
• Conduct annual audits of BSL-2 laboratories, which provides for Post-Approval monitoring of IBC-approved studies (confirm corrective actions have been completed) and present findings at a convened IBC meeting. 10% effort
• Biosafety Program-Related Document Review: Review Institutional Biosafety Manual, Exposure Control Plans, Guidance Documents, and training materials that reflect the latest local, state, and federal regulations. 5% effort
• Duties as assigned (which may include writing Risk Assessments and Safety Plans for chemicals; Equipment certification of Biosafety Cabinets and Chemical Fume Hoods at the Bar Harbor site; Generating and posting BSL-2 and ABSL-2 Door Signage; Response to biological spills; determining training needs and BSL-2 or ABSL-2 Worker Types for manual entry into Workday; sending and maintaining copies of Hepatitis B Vaccine Consent/Declination Forms. 20% effort.
• Perform 5-Why Investigations of Sharps injuries and maintain Sharps Injury Logs for the CA, CT, FL, and ME sites 5% effort

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Public Health, Occupational Health and Safety, or related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Prior laboratory experience is a plus.
• Minimum of three (3) years of related experience serving as a Biosafety professional (e.g. Biosafety Specialist), Biological Laboratory Scientist/Technician.
• Knowledge of the physical, chemical, and biological hazards found in BSL-2 and ABSL-2 facilities, related laws and regulations, and solid knowledge base in recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid techniques, genetics, and/or cell biology.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently (strong analytical and organizational skills) and as part of the EHS Team, as well as to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and work with shifting priorities and schedules in a dynamic environment.
• Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a diverse environment (e.g., persons with various educational, social, and cultural backgrounds).

Pay Range: $63,744 - $106,723

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About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.