Environmental Health Specialist

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: July 21, 2021

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.

The Assistant Biosafety Officer serves as a technical associate to the Campus Biosafety Officer and partner Assistant Biosafety Officers, 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 programs. The position will support all biosafety research, but will be primarily assigned to oversee biosafety research associated with the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub (BBH), as well as other similar programs; research at UC Berkeley managed via memoranda of understanding (MOUs). The biosafety team supports the Committee for Laboratory and Environmental Biosafety (CLEB).

For more information, visit http://ehs.berkeley.edu

Responsibilities

* Develops, implements, and monitors campus environmental and safety programs, systems, procedures, and training in biosafety.
* Serves as a technical associate to the Campus Biosafety Officer, ensuring the safe use of campus bioagents and biohazards

* Performs outreach and communication to campus within relevant field.
* Serves as the a point person for communications and documentation of the biosafety program including but not limited to ensuring the EH&S Biosafety Program web- site provides guidance that is helpful and current, and periodically communicating with BUA holders regarding their BUA/training status, monitoring biosafety cabinet certification, communicating with researchers and staff at BBH and other MOUs, and other relevant information.
* Performs technical work, and conducts sampling and/or monitoring related to field(s) of expertise
* Designs new and/or recommends improvements to existing processes and procedure.
* Serves as the primary Biosafety point of contact for BBH, providing programmatic support and guidance to facility clientele and staff.
* Support other like MOU research entities on campus.

* Monitors compliance of programs within area of responsibility: Biosafety
* Prepares for CLEB Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) for laboratories 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 to ensure compliance with CDC, NIH and other applicable university, federal and state regulations and requirements
* 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.
* 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 for entire biosafety program and recommending to BSO appropriate corrective actions as needed.
* Conducts periodic audits of agent inventory to verify BUA accuracy.
* Provides guidance to researchers in the field or laboratory regarding safe work practices.

* Inspects, investigates incidents and complaints, and recommends corrective action as needed.
* Drafts reports and other documentation, including use of relevant scientific data.
* Staff Development: Works on committees and assignments along with formal and informal coaching and mentoring and regular training, including conference attendance.
* 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. See "Governing Laws and Regulations" below.
* Creates and adjusts methodologies to meet changing regulatory and scientific environment.
* Other duties as assigned, including
* Participate in department-wide projects and programs, including workgroups that support lab safety culture change initiative and other like initiatives.
* At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC 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 or campus hazardous material release/threatened release. Provide appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.
* May be assigned as a member of Dedicated Urgent Response Team (DURT). If assigned to serve as a designated responder, incumbent must meet the specific requirements of the DURT program as outlined in the EH&S DURT Program Guidelines. These include occupational qualifications, and a medical baseline (physical) will be required upon assignment.

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 Game Regulations governing transgenic aquatic animals.

Required Qualifications

* Thorough knowledge/understanding of specific EH&S field(s) including related laws and regulations; and general knowledge/understanding of all EH&S fields.
* Thorough knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting applicable local, state, and federal regulations and related standards and guidelines.
* Knowledge of laboratory safety, including biosafety cabinet operation, fume hoods and laboratory ventilation, personal protective equipment, and chemical.
* Thorough written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and skill to communicate effectively in a diverse environment.
* Demonstrated ability to respond to emergencies and critical situations appropriately in a research setting.
* Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize and manage the successful completion of projects within time and budget constraints.
* Skill to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment as required.

Education/Training:

* Bachelors degree in physical or life sciences and three years of professional experience in the field of laboratory biosafety and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

* Professional certification and degree in public health, microbiology or other biological discipline.

Salary & Benefits

This is an exempt, monthly paid position. The annual salary range of the position is $69,200.00 -$98,900.00, commensurate with experience.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

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.

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 see:

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:

http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct