Biological Safety Officer

Current University of Arkansas System employees including student employees and graduate assistants need to log into Workday on My Apps. Simply enter “Find Jobs” in the Workday search bar to view open positions.
All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated). To view the job posting closing date please return to the search for jobs page.

If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application process will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.
 
Type of Position:
Professional Staff – Project/Program Administration

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:
Regular


Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance Arkansas and build a better world through education, research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture and climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.
The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.
As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.
If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations tendersglobal.net OEOC tendersglobal.net University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Appli­cants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.
For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:
Environmental Health & Safety

Department’s Website:

https://fama.uark.edu

Summary of Job Duties:
The Biological Safety Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and compliance of biological research activities and operations across the campus. The Biological Safety Officer should have knowledge of regulations pertaining to biohazardous waste management and bloodborne pathogens, familiarity with the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), National Institute Health (NIH) Guidelines, and general microscopy. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the campus comprehensive Biological Safety Program. This position is primarily managerial, requiring the coordination and oversight of various biological safety services, which includes, but is not limited to, biosafety cabinet services, biohazardous waste management, bloodborne pathogen training, and indoor air quality (e.g. mold) monitoring and assessment. The Biological Safety Officer is also responsible for reviewing research protocols, performing laboratory audits, performing risk assessments, and serves as the Biological Safety Officer to the Campus Institutional Biosafety Committee and Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee.
This position many involve working outdoors on occasion in a wide range of weather conditions and temperature, response to biohazardous spills/releases, and completing on-call assignments as needed (e.g., respond to unplanned/after-hours service calls, campus emergencies, or calls to report to work during inclement weather).
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job function of this job, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: 

• The formal educational equivalent of a Master of Science degree in biology or a closely related field

• At least five years of experience in a biology (or closely related) research laboratory setting

Applicable equivalencies may be considered on the above qualifications.

• At least two years of experience in laboratory biosafety/compliance or related area

• At least two years of leadership experience (e.g., teaching, training, supervisory role)

• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Certification (or ability to become certified within the first 90 days of employment)

• IATA Shipping Infectious Substances Certification (or ability to become certified within the first 6 months of employment)

Required License(s)/Certification(s):

• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications: 

• The formal educational equivalent of a Ph.D. in biology or a closely related field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

• Knowledge of relevant regulations and guidelines in biological safety

• Knowledge of biosafety containment levels

• Knowledge of biological (regulated and non-regulated) waste management

• Knowledge of microbiological best practices

• Managerial and/or programmatic oversight skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Basic microscopy skills

• Technological skills (e.g., computer, web cam, smartphone, etc.)

• Application skills (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

• Ability to develop biological safety programmatic elements incorporating knowledge of relevant regulations and best practices

• Ability to deliver trainings through public speaking

• Ability to capture and dispose of biohazardous materials

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

• Ability to pass an occupational physical exam and wear respirator/self-contained breathing apparatus and encapsulated suit

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$60,000 – $70,000 (commensurate with education and experience)

Required Documents to Apply:

License or Certificate (see special instructions for submission instructions), List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Richard Ashworth, Director, ENHS, [email protected]

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please upload a copy of your Valid Driver’s License.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:
Criminal Background Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check, Sex Offender Registry, Substance Abuse Testing

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds inclusion, opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:
Feeling, Grasping, Hearing, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Talking

Frequent Physical Activity:
Reaching, Sitting, Standing, Walking

Occasional Physical Activity:
Crouching, Driving, Kneeling

Benefits Eligible:
Yes