Eh&S Specialist I - Biosafety

Overview

POSITION SUMMARY:

For this position, the incumbent's primary assignment will be with the EH&S Biological Safety Team. The incumbent must have a basic knowledge or experience of bloodborne pathogens, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, biological agents, shipping and import/transport permits, biohazardous materials and medical waste, accident/incident investigations, reporting and record keeping, risk assessments, support, and recordkeeping for Biological Safety Level 1 - 3 laboratories. Able to undergo and receive approval for access to select agents: a Security Risk Assessment by the Criminal Justice Informational System to obtain FBI/CDC clearance, and an internal Suitability Assessment.

The EH&S Specialist will work independently and as part of a team to prioritize multiple projects. These tasks will require the employee to work at multiple locations serviced by the UMass Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) EH&S Department, including UMass Chan and UMass Memorial Medical Center (UMMMC).

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with inspections, evaluations, surveillance surveys and audits of labs, patient care areas and construction areas

• Assist with risk assessments, incident, and injury investigations

• Support the creation and preparation of checklists for compliance inspections

• Conduct inventory of safety supplies and par levels

• Assist with biological waste and sharps collection and disposal

• Assist with response to urgent/emergent calls, questions or requests of lower acuity incidents

• Assist with data collection, research, and investigation of regulatory concern

• File and maintain records and documentation (i.e. training records, waste manifests, SDS, safety, equipment, certifications, inspection reports)

• Perform or assist with inventory of biosafety cabinets and scheduling of certifications, decontaminations and repairs

• Assist with conducting drills and exercises

• Participate in testing emergency eyewash and safety showers

• Conduct respiratory fit testing

• Assist with conducting EH&S training

• Participate in the EH&S nights, weekends, holiday and off-hours on-call program

• May participate on the EH&S Emergency Response Team (will require wearing full face respirator)

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor's Level Degree, or equivalent, in: microbiology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, bioengineering, cell biology, or related field

Experience

• Zero to two years of working experience in microbiology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, bioengineering, cell biology, or related field

Certifications

• Ability to undergo and receive approval for access to select agents including a Security Risk Assessment by the Criminal Justice Informational System to obtain FBI/CDC clearance, and an internal Suitability Assessment

• Ability to become certified as OSHA 40-hour Hazwoper Emergency Responder and wear a full-face respirator

• Ability to become certified by DOT for manifest signing

Driver's License

• Must have a valid driver's license and a vehicle or the ability to travel to off-site locations and respond to matters of urgency

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Internship in microbiology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, bioengineering, cell biology, or related field