University Biosafety Officer

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Cornell University is widely admired as one of the world’s most respected research and teaching institutions. The Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) provides comprehensive programs and services to support healthy, safe, and environmentally responsible practices for our world class faculty, staff, students and university community. EHS assists the campus community with compliance and promotes health, safety, and environmental stewardship. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. With minimal oversight from the Director for Research Safety, the University Biosafety Officer (BSO) is responsible for managing the Biosafety programs for the Ithaca campus and outlying facilities, except for the Weill Cornell Medicine and Qatar. The Biosafety Officer provides leadership and expertise in the area of biological safety to Cornell University, supporting and advancing research and the safety of the campus community. The primary function of the BSO is to provide technical support and expertise in the administration and maintenance of such programs. The BSO will develop, implement and manage policies, procedures and programs that promote a safe, responsible, healthy and compliant work environment for all faculty, staff and students. The BSO will provide service, technical support and compliance guidance to the University, act as a liaison with the University and external agencies and is the lead authority on biological risk assessments associated with campus research and teaching laboratories. The BSO will have responsibilities that manage and monitor programs, procedures, and policies that assure safety and compliance for: Research Committee support. Key member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and oversees the Animal Users Health and Safety Program (AUHSP) Working Group. Supervise and lead the Biosafety Team members Select agent program management. Holds official University positions for Biosafety Officer and Responsible Official and is designated as Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research. Lead member on the emergency response team for biosafety incident response and emergency planning. Helps interpret guidance and communication from CDC, USDA, NIH, OSHA, DOH, DEC and other agencies as applicable to biosafety. Provides guidance to Occupational Medicine, the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) and other interdepartmental resources dealing with biosafety and animal research issues. Other specifics of this role include: Work as part of a team in EHS and with various campus groups Ability to clearly explain procedures and situations, and influence others to comply with regulations and guidelines Conduct oral presentations that communicate information and explain procedures accurately to faculty, staff and students Handle a variety of job-related topics on short or no notice Speak with people of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds. Establish rapport and gain trust of others Set priorities, work independently, and follow through on work assignments with minimal direction Work to minimize administrative burden and regulatory impact on stakeholders, colleagues, and team during activities, proposals, and recommendations where possible Embrace and model Cornell Skills for Success in all aspects of position duties Comply with all University policies, programmatic requirements, and procedures This is an endowed position. We are a value–based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization’s values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. Facilities and Campus Services employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in fields of microbiology, biological sciences, veterinary sciences, public health, industrial hygiene, or closely related field
• 3 to 5 years’ work experience with biosafety responsibilities.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to interpret ACGIH, CDC, NIOSH, DOL standards, regulations, and exposure limits in an industrial and/or research environment.
• Experience working directly with external agencies such as CDC, NIH, USDA, APHIS, DOH.
• Proven track record of working with occupational medicine programs as they relate to material handling of biological materials and animal handling.
• Demonstrated experience working in or providing biosafety guidance to research labs that handle animals and biological materials at BSL3/ABSL3.
• Must have experience working with IACUC and IBC committees, chairs and compliance organizations dealing with research oversight as appropriate including reading, reviewing protocols.
• Experience in biomaterials response, spill response and consulting with those who may be responding.
• Strong experience with risk-based assessments as they relate to biological materials and animal handling.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office programs, database management, EHS software applications.
• Ability to interact well with all levels of personnel within an organization
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including: air purifying respirators, safety glasses/goggles, and protective clothing.
• Must have a valid Driver's license and a good driving record.
• Ability to pass pre-employment physical for the use of respiratory protection equipment and for hazardous materials emergency responder work and the ability to wear an SCBA.
• Demonstrated use of Microsoft Suite products, at a minimum, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Proven track record of completing work on time and within budget.
• Willingness to receive vaccination for risk group 3 agents, in compliance with institutional protocols and future program needs.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in fields of biology, microbiology, public health, industrial hygiene or closely related field.
• Certified Biological Safety Professional through ABSA International.
• EHS Audit experience.
• Experience with EHS management systems.
• Experience with DOT and waste regulations.
• Experience with Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).

Responsibilities

• Research Committee support.
• Key member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
• Member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and oversees the Animal Users Health and Safety Program (AUHSP) Working Group.
• Supervise and lead the Biosafety Team members
• Select agent program management.
• Holds official University positions for Biosafety Officer and Responsible Official and is designated as Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research.
• Lead member on the emergency response team for biosafety incident response and emergency planning.
• Helps interpret guidance and communication from CDC, USDA, NIH, OSHA, DOH, DEC and other agencies as applicable to biosafety.
• Provides guidance to Occupational Medicine, the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) and other interdepartmental resources dealing with biosafety and animal research issues.
• Work as part of a team in EHS and with various campus groups
• Ability to clearly explain procedures and situations, and influence others to comply with regulations and guidelines
• Conduct oral presentations that communicate information and explain procedures accurately to faculty, staff and students
• Handle a variety of job-related topics on short or no notice
• Speak with people of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Establish rapport and gain trust of others
• Set priorities, work independently, and follow through on work assignments with minimal direction
• Work to minimize administrative burden and regulatory impact on stakeholders, colleagues, and team during activities, proposals, and recommendations where possible
• Embrace and model Cornell Skills for Success in all aspects of position duties
• Comply with all University policies, programmatic requirements, and procedures

Benefits

• Cornell provides great benefits that include educational benefits, access to a plethora of wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, health care options to choose from, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation leave, health and personal leave, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break through New Year’s Day), 2 floating holidays, and superior retirement contributions.
• Cornell has also been nationally recognized as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees