Assistant Biosafety Officer, Environmental Health and Safety Specialist

Job ID: 119335
Responsibilities:
- Uses qualitative and quantitative analyses of products, systems, operations and activities to identify hazards and establish programmatic plans and goals.
- Identifies events, likelihood of occurrence, severity of results, risk and cost.
- Collaborates with others during the preparation of risk assessments and associated action plans.
- Participates in accident and incident investigations.
- Provides consulting services to internal customers regarding safety, health and environmental hazards, controls, and regulatory standards (EPA, OSHA, DOT, NFPA ,TJC, ODH, CMS and others).
- Develops and conducts training programs.
- May be responsible for one or more Joint Commission Environment of Care management plans.
- Conducts audits of facilities and operations to ensure Environment of Care requirements are met.
- Collects, analyzes and maintains EHS data.
- Maintains appropriate records for operational processes and regulatory agencies and submits required documents by established deadlines.
- Manages direct reports or indirect personnel resources to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
- Manages budget and contracted services as appropriate.
- Acts as a member of the Emergency Response Team.
- Other duties as assigned.
Specific responsibilities related to biosafety include :
- IBC Application Review and Risk Assessment
- Performs risk assessments for handling of biological agents described within submissions to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), including an evaluation that the facilities identified are appropriate for the work and compliance with applicable CC policy and procedures and Federal and state regulations
- Reviews material transfer agreements, supply chain records, grant awards, or other contracts for use of biohazardous materials and verifies approval by the IBC
- Presents risk assessments and recommended risk mitigations to the IBC during convened meetings.
- Laboratory Inspections
- Evaluates facilities and safety practices for appropriate laboratory design and compliance with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant and Synthetic DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines) and Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)
- Conducts post-approval monitoring for IBC approved studies
- Prepares reports and enters data into databases
- Communicates all deficiencies to the Responsible Official/Biological Safety Officer (RO/BSO), IBC, and research staff
- Evaluates the security and control measures for valuable biological material to prevent theft, loss, or release.
- Training and Outreach
- Develops, presents, schedules, and documents education related to applying and interpreting biosafety regulations and guidelines, handling biohazardous materials, biological shipping/receiving, and biorisk management for students, researchers, and facility personnel
- Provides advice and guidance regarding biosafety, biosecurity and waste management to research staff
- Establishes collaborative working relationships with a variety of groups within the Institute, including research staff, facilities personnel, outside contractors, and occupational health.
- Develops emergency response plans and conduct emergency response and spill response clean-up and training
- Maintains an up-to-date website
- Regulatory Compliance, Record Keeping and Reporting
- Maintains paper and electronic office files, including record retention files related to job activities in collaboration with biosafety program members
- Reviews and maintains a current understanding of all federal regulations as well as the institutional policies set by Cleveland Clinic, Institutional Biosafety Committee and the Responsible Official/Biological Safety Officer (RO/BSO) for all research involving biohazardous agents.
- Assists in the preparation of correspondence and reports to the RO/BSO for the IBC, Institutional Officials, research community, and federal agencies
- Assists the BSO/Biosafety Program Manager in the investigation of incidents involving the use of biohazardous agents.
- Assists the BSO/ Biosafety Program Manager in the development and annual review and revision of Biosafety Office policies, procedures, and SOPs.
- Supports researchers to obtain permits, MTAs, or approvals to obtain or transfer human or animal biological materials or toxins
Education:
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials management, environmental science, one of the physical sciences, or a related field.
Certifications:
- Must possess a valid Ohio driver's license and personal transportation.
- Eligibility to obtain certification as a Biological Safety Professional is preferred.
- Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and/or other safety certification is preferred.
Work Experience:
- Minimum 3 years experience in a Healthcare or safety field.
Preferred Work Experience, Education and Certifications:
- Minimum 5 years of related experience serving as a biosafety officer, biosafety professional, biological laboratory scientist, or biological laboratory technician including at least one year of experience involving the application of Federal or State biosafety-related regulatory standards
- Eligibility to obtain certification as a Biological Safety Professional is preferred.
- Advanced degree (MS, PhD) in Biomedical Science or related field preferred
- Experience with research and/or activities involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, biological agents, and toxins
- Demonstrated experience in regulatory environment covered by entities such as: NIH, USDA, Federal Select Agent Program, etc. and knowledge of the CDC/NIH Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), WHO Biosafety Manual 2020, etc.
- Knowledge of the physical, chemical, biological and occupational hazards and biosecurity requirements found in A/BSL-2 and A/BSL-3 laboratories
- Ability to work independently, identify and set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
- Ability to provide lecture-based and hands-on training
Physical Requirements:
- Manual dexterity to operate office equipment.
- Ability to lift and transport up to 25 pounds.
- May require extended periods of standing, walking, or sitting.
- Good visual acuity through normal or corrected vision.
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Follows Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required.
#LI-LF1
Keywords: Biological Safety Officer, BSO, NIH, BSL Laboratories
Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment/affirmative action employer: Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.