ID: 7134868 (Ref.No. ej-4017007)
Posted: March 17, 2023
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

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About Us
Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 9,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today.

Location
Augusta University – Our Health Sciences Campus: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912

Job Summary
Under the direction of the Manager, Biosafety Programs, the Assistant Biosafety Officer (ABSO) assists in the management of the Biosafety Program; Bloodborne Pathogen Program; Select Agents and Toxins Program; and the Biosafety Education and Training Program. The Assistant Biosafety Officer conducts inspections for compliance with federal, state and local regulations, applicable consensus standards, and Environmental Health and Safety policy. Specific areas of activity include NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA, Public Health Service Regulations, FDA regulations, and OSHA regulations. The ABSO responds to and assists with the mitigation of emergencies and spills; investigates accidents and incidents involving biological materials; and delivers formal and informal education and training.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Biosafety Program Management: Consult with Principal Investigator regarding mitigation of biological hazards, methods for maintaining compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic DNA Molecules, Select Agents and Toxins regulations, Biosafety in Microbiological Biomedical Laboratories, and biohazard waste disposal. Develop, recommend, implement, review and revise university policies and procedures regarding biosafety principles and practices. Track and coordinate annual inspections for Biosafety Level 1 and 2 (BSL 1 and BSL 2) laboratories to ensure that standards are rigorously followed, and corrective measures are implemented. Certify shipments of biological materials from the university. Collect, package, label, transport, and dispose biological waste. Prepare reports, manuals, procedures, and other documentation in support of the biosafety program. Maintain biosafety database systems. Institutional Biosafety Committee Administration: Receive and review research proposals involving biohazardous materials; develop and present associated risk assessments and recommendations for hazard mitigation, including biological material containment requirements. Develop, recommend, implement, review and revise university policies regarding the use of recombinant or synthetic DNA. Develop and provide on-going committee member qualification training. Prepare and distribute committee meeting agendas, communications with research investigators, and meeting minutes. Serve as technical resource to Biosafety Committee. Blood-borne Pathogen Program: Develop and deliver Blood-borne Pathogen training. Select Agents and Toxins Program: Serve as the appointed Alternate Responsible Official for select agents and toxins. Monitor university compliance with select agents and toxins regulations. Track and approve shipments of select agents and toxins to and from the university. Advise on biosecurity measures. Biosafety Education and Training: Informs and educates staff, students, and other constituencies regarding biosafety issues. Develops comprehensive biosafety educational programs for clinical/research laboratories. Conducts initial biosafety training; qualification training for the transport of biohazardous materials; blood-borne pathogens; and task-specific biosafety for facilities operations personnel, and environmental services personnel. Technical Consultation: Provide guidance and input to Occupational Health program for faculty, staff, and students working with research animals. Provide guidance and input to project management staff regarding the design or renovation of facilities for containment of bio-hazardous materials. Assess construction work for biohazard controls by participating in the Pre-Construction Risk Assessment/Infection Control Risk Assessment meetings. Other Duties: Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Biological or Physical Sciences and a minimum of one year of experience as a full-time biosafety professional. OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Biological or Physical Sciences and a minimum of two years of experience working in a biomedical laboratory with laboratory safety responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Biological or Physical Sciences. Registered Biosafety Professional (American Biological Safety Association). Certified Biosafety Professional (American Biological Safety Association). Experience as a Biosafety Officer at an academic research institution.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Ability to maintain confidentiality. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Detail-oriented. Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer software/databases. Familiarity with laws, regulations, consensus standards, procedures, and practices relative to biosafety. Strong survey, decision making, problem solving, evaluation, mentoring and professional development skills. Knowledgeable in molecular biology (recombinant DNA), microbiology, and immunology and associated laboratory techniques. Ability to use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions; enter, transcribe, record, store, or maintain information in either written or electronic form; use scientific instruments and equipment; and use laboratory techniques and safety practices. Knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidance for the control of biohazards, select agents, and bloodborne pathogens; biosafety implications of animal use in research; engineering and administrative controls for biological safety and regulations governing biological materials; and infectious/etiological agents, hazard classification systems for biological agents, and biosafety levels and risk groups for biological agent. Ability to wear a respirator and personal protective equipment.

Shift/Salary/Benefits
Shift: Days; Monday - Friday (work outside of the normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position)
Pay Grade: 18
Salary: $48,341 - $59,652
Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position
Recruitment Period: 3/1/23 - Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Conditions of Employment
All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University. Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle. All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

Driver's License Statement
The Human Resources Division will request a driver's history report for the identified top candidate(s) for this position. We will initiate this through our Background Check Vendor; this report will come from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The selected candidate must have a valid driver's license.

Other Information
This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. "Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success." Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

How To Apply
Consider applying with us today! https://www.augusta.edu/hr/jobs/ Search Job ID: 255273Select University Faculty & Staff > External Applicants if you are a candidate from outside the universitySelect University Faculty & Staff > Internal Applicants if you are a current university employee If you need further assistance, please contact us at 706-721-9365

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