Hiring Range

$75,000 - $78,500 Annually

Job Closing Date

11/07/2020

NOTE: Currently, we are not able to sponsor VISA conversions of any status. You must be eligible to work in the US without Visa support of any kind.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.
Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design, and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.
In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project will nearly double the physical capacity of the campus by 2020, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

About the Department

The University Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Department resides within the Physical Operations, Planning and Development organization, specifically, within the University Division of Public Safety. EH&S provides compliance support and assistance to University stakeholders with respect to workplace safety, laboratory safety including, biological and biomedical safety, chemical safety, radiation safety, laser safety, food/swimming pool/potable water safety, and environmental compliance regulatory compliance support obligations including air, waste, storm water, sanitary sewage, above ground and underground storage tank program management and compliance support obligations.

About the Job

The Associate Biosafety Officer (Associate BSO) supports the Campus Biosafety Officer (Campus BSO) on UC Merced Biosafety and Biosecurity Program compliance including prevention, preparation and response to biological and biomedical disease issues at UC Merced facilities.

This position takes ownership of the management of selected subprograms within the Biosafety- Biosecurity program as assigned by the Campus BSO in research and teaching laboratories. These programs are intended to prevent accidents or injuries associated with the potential hazards present in the laboratory and field workplaces.

This position serves as the technical support for this program and other disciplines related to environmental, health and safety within the EH&S Department programs.
This position applies professional knowledge and expertise in one or more specialty areas and may serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for one or more relevant program(s) within EH&S. Work is reviewed upon completion to ensure predetermined standards and measures of performance are met, that application of professional/technical judgment is sound, and that clients and co-workers are treated with respect.

This position demonstrates sound judgment in selecting both the means and methods for obtaining desired results in terms of meeting compliance and support obligations. This position provides regulatory interpretation of biosafety obligations for compliance support and program management for University research and teaching laboratories, University operations, and biological and biomedical safety support services.

This position may represent EH&S in academic compliance committees, the University Student Health Center and Occupational Health Program, campus groups and committees, the University of CA Office of the President (UCOP) groups and committees and meetings or communication with local, state and federal authorities having jurisdiction for biological safety and EH&S disciplines.

This position provides service and support to the University academics, facilities, and operational departments for biological safety matters and will provide timely and accurate interpretation of current CA Department of Health (DOH), University laboratory practices and proposed laboratory practices in light of compliance obligations and best management practices exercised in the field of biological and biomedical safety.

Key Responsibilities:
* LABORATORY BIOLOGICAL SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
* ANIMAL RESEARCH OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM
* HIGH CONTAINMENT LABORATORY RESEARCH SUPPORT
* BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN PROGRAM SAFETY
* TRAINING
* EH&S TEAM SUPPORT

Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training required.
* MS or higher degree in Biology, Microbiology or a closely related science discipline from an accredited university and a 40-hour HAZWOPER training certification and subsequent 8-hour renewal preferred.
* Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the identification, evaluation and management control of biological and occupational health and safety hazards with broad based cumulative experience in a laboratory setting required.
* Ability to perform technical reviews of biosafety proposals involving the management and use of infectious agents, recombinant DNA and bloodborne pathogens required.
* Ability to perform technical reviews of animal research proposals involving occupational health and safety concerns, field research safety, laboratory safety and biosafety to support university research required.
* Ability to design, develop and present biosafety training to university audiences required.
* Demonstrated knowledge and experience with hazard analysis and hazard control including the design, development and implementation of hazard control programs including engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices and the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent accidents and injuries required.
* Demonstrated, broad based working knowledge of biological safety and laboratory regulatory requirements required.
* Demonstrated ability to manage a biological safety program in compliance with regulatory requirements and in support of research laboratories required.
* Demonstrated ability to work with personal computers including the demonstrated knowledge and use of MS Office word processing, spreadsheet, and database software as well as the ability to learn and use UCOP database software applications for program management of biological safety required.
* Demonstrated ability for punctuality, teamwork, service and support in BSO position required.
* Training and experience in emergency response to biological safety incidents required.

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, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.
As of January 1, 2014 the University of California, Merced will be a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at
http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu