Biosafety / Biosecurity Officer

State of North Carolina

2d • $70,478 - $123,336 • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Biosafety/Biosecurity Officer for the NC State Laboratory of Public Health, overseeing laboratory safety programs that encompass biological, chemical, and general safety practices across BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 environments. The Biosafety / Biosecurity Officer develops and administers policies, procedures, and risk mitigation strategies that support statewide biosafety, biosecurity, occupational health, and respiratory protection programs for NCSLPH and OCME employees. Work includes supervising assigned staff, ensuring regulatory compliance as the Responsible Official for the Federal Select Agent Program, and coordinating hazard recognition, risk assessment, and safety training for laboratorians statewide. This role collaborates with public health officials and system partners to strengthen communications, emergency response practices, and containment strategies for agents of public health concern.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of clinical laboratory or research experience OR Master’s degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of clinical laboratory or research experience OR Bachelor’s degree in degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of clinical laboratory or research experience OR An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be medically cleared to wear respiratory protection while working in BSL-3 laboratory environment.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated application of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity practices through hands‑on oversight of BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 workflows, including risk recognition, hazard assessment, mitigation planning, and implementation of engineering, procedural, and administrative controls.
• Documented experience managing and improving safety program operations by supervising safety‑related staff, coordinating occupational health and respiratory protection activities, and maintaining compliance with internal laboratory safety procedures.
• Advanced proficiency in developing, drafting, and revising Incident Response Plans, Safety and Security Plans, and Biosafety Plans, with documented success producing materials that support statewide laboratory safety and emergency response functions.
• Expert‑level experience applying Federal Select Agent Program regulatory requirements (42 C.F.R. Part 73; 7 C.F.R. Part 331; 9 C.F.R. Part 121) during biosafety, biosecurity, and compliance activities, including service as a designated program lead or Responsible Official.
• Proven extensive hands‑on use of public health laboratory diagnostic principles—including microbiology and virology—to support safe handling of potentially infectious materials, guide laboratorian training, and strengthen statewide biosafety and biosecurity practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee biosafety, biosecurity, chemical safety, general laboratory safety, and occupational health programs for NCSLPH and OCME personnel.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory safety policies and procedures supporting statewide biosafety and biosecurity program operations.
• Conduct biological hazard recognition, risk assessments, and risk mitigation planning for BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 laboratory environments.
• Supervise the Industrial Hygiene Consultant and Occupational Health Program Administrator to support coordinated safety and health functions.
• Ensure availability, delivery, and documentation of biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory safety training for staff and statewide laboratorians.
• Serve as the Responsible Official for Federal Select Agent Program compliance, including oversight of regulatory adherence under 42 C.F.R. Part 73, 7 C.F.R. Part 331, and 9 C.F.R. Part 121.
• Monitor biosafety and biosecurity practices to prevent hazards associated with handling infectious materials and biological toxins.
• Coordinate communication and emergency response planning with public health officials and system partners to address incidents involving public health agents.
• Prepare, revise, and maintain Incident Response Plans, Safety and Security Plans, and Biosafety Plans aligned with laboratory regulatory and operational requirements.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory safety and containment strategies through consultation, technical assistance, and quality management activities.

Benefits

• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree