EH&S Specialist I - Biosafety

POSITION SUMMARY: 

For this position, the incumbents 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).

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelors 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

Drivers License

• Must have a valid drivers 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