Human Resources

Summary

The Biological/Radiation Safety Officer manages Michigan Technological University’s biological and radiation safety programs to protect faculty, staff, students, members of the community, and the surrounding environment from potential exposure to harmful biological and radiological materials. The University currently has over 25 laboratories equipped for research at Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) and is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the use and possession of radioactive materials, including but not limited to H3, C14, P32, S35, Ni63. As a member of the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team, this individual will also contribute to the development and improvement of all other University safety programs.

Responsibilities 

Overarching:
• Develops, plans, coordinates, and manages biosafety and radiation safety programs in compliance with Michigan Tech policies and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Interprets new and existing regulations and advises the university’s leadership on the technical and regulatory issues related to the biological and radiation safety programs.
• Participates in and provides leadership to various university committees and task forces, such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Radiation Safety Committee, participates in meetings and organizations external to the university, and maintains liaison with professional counterparts at other universities and institutions.
• Works in collaboration with other members of the EHS team to develop, contribute to, and manage the implementation and improvement of comprehensive University Safety Programs.
Specific duties related to Biological Safety:
• Manages the University’s biological safety program including but not limited to: laboratory inspections, conducting hazard assessments, development and review of standard operating procedures, decontamination and disposal procedures for biological waste, disposal of regulated medical wastes and sharps, annual biosafety cabinet recertification and emergency procedures.
• Assists researchers with matters related to biosafety, including but not limited to: interpretation of regulations and guidelines for working with infectious biological agents and synthetic/recombinant nucleic acid molecules, risk assessment, development and review of standard operating procedures, appropriate use and maintenance of containment equipment and shipping biological agents and toxins according regulations.
• Provides training to investigators, professional/technical/laboratory staff/students, and other relevant University personnel to promote a safe work environment. Develop and prepare content of training materials. Ensure compliance with training objectives.
• Works in conjunction with EHS to ensure compliance with state and federal bloodborne pathogen programs.
• Monitors teaching and research activities involving the use of hazardous biological materials and recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules and ensures compliance with appropriate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Reviews research grant applications, proposals, and activities involving hazardous biological materials and recombinant/synthetic nucleic acid molecules and approves or recommends modifications to ensure safe practices.
• Serves as a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC); assists the IBC administrator and chair by performing a preliminary review of all protocols to ensure all information needed for IBC review is included;
• Develops medical surveillance criteria for activities involving biohazards and other hazardous materials.
Specific duties related to Radiation Safety:
• Manages the University’s radiation safety program including but not limited to laboratory inspections, radiation surveys, conducting hazard assessments, development and review of standard operating procedures, decontamination, and emergency procedures.
• The University’s Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) acts as the contact person with the NRC and is responsible for updates and amendments to the University’s license for the use and possession of radioactive materials;
• Oversees the purchasing, storage, use, and disposal of radioactive materials and devices.
• Responsible for the annual registration of radiation-producing equipment and devices with the State of Michigan.
• Ensures that only authorized, qualified, and trained individuals work with ionizing radiation sources; manages the personnel dosimetry program to limit radiation exposure to radiation users and ensures compliance with University policies and regulatory exposure limits.
• Prepares reports and other forms of a scientific or technical nature, including publishing and revising Michigan Tech’s Radiation Safety Manual and department SOPs as appropriate, and performs an annual audit of the Radiation Safety Program.
• Provides technical guidance to faculty and staff in the development of radiation safety plans for research grant applications; advises facilities and physical plant staff regarding design and maintenance issues in laboratories that work with radioactive materials.
• Ensures the safe use of lasers and other forms of non-ionizing radiation in research laboratories.
EHS Departmental Responsibilities:
• Establishes and executes programs to promote a strong laboratory and workplace safety culture.
• Participates in the inspection of laboratories and other workspaces.
• Participates in developing policies, emergency plans, and other activities to accomplish program objectives.
• Provides training to investigators, professional/technical/laboratory staff/students, and other relevant University personnel to promote a safe work environment. Develops and prepares content of training materials.
• Assist supervisors in conducting hazard and risk assessments of laboratory and field research activities, work practices, facilities, and equipment; assist supervisors in implementing controls to mitigate any identified risks.
• Assist the safety team with identifying and developing appropriate medical surveillance criteria for activities regulated by federal or state agencies.
• Works as part of a collaborative safety team and strives for continuous improvement in all assigned responsibilities.
• Reviews incident and injury reports, “near-misses,” and other safety reports to identify root causes and develop mitigation recommendations to reduce or eliminate future events.
• Responds to safety emergencies, including radiation and biological incidents, and participates in preparing and submitting required reports.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

● Bachelor's degree in physical science or engineering or biological science or equivalent professional experience
● Have either completed OSHA 30 training (or equivalent) or have the ability to complete training within three months of date of hire.
● Have credentials for shipping dangerous goods including infectious materials or radioactive materials domestically and internationally; or ability to get credentialed within 90 days of date of hire.
● Must possess a valid Michigan Driver's License with no more than a total combination of five (5) current points in the Michigan (or any other) point system, with no single infraction totaling more than three (3) points.

Required Experience

● 3+ years of professional experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
● Experience in a BSL-2/ABSL-2/BL2-N work environment, including work involving Biological Safety Cabinets.
● Previous experience as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or experience as an authorized user and ability to complete RSO training upon hire.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

● Graduate degree in physical science engineering or biological science.
● Graduate degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
● 5+ years of professional experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified:
● Experience with any of the following: human, animal, or plant cell/tissue culture; bacterial, fungal, or virus culture; molecular biology techniques.
● Professional certification e.g., Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) or Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)·
● Working experience as a laser safety officer or qualifying experience working with lasers.
● Two or more years working in an academic or university environment.
● Experience working with regulatory agencies and external auditors.
● Experience as an OSHA, MSHA, or MIOSHA inspector or in working with them collaboratively in a professional environment.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● A demonstrated working knowledge of, or the ability to quickly learn Governing Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines
● NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules
● NIH/CDC Guidelines "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories"
● IATA, DOC, DOT, USDA, CDC, USFW transportation, importation and shipping regulations
● USDA Field Release Permits
● EPA Field Release Regulations·
● Strong interpersonal, oral, and written skills.
● Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
● Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information.
● Proficient with Google Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and the ability to learn specialized software utilized by the department and university.
● Investigative and problem-solving skills.
● Knowledge and understanding of biosafety and radiation principles, policies, and procedures.
● Ability to interpret and apply research and lab safety regulations and guidelines.
● Skills to work independently and as part of a collaborative EHS team.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Working knowledge of EGLE air, water and/or hazardous waste regulations and/or working knowledge of NFPA fire codes, Health Department codes, and/or other health and safety codes.
● Familiar with OSHA and MIOSHA General Industry and Construction Regulations and applications.
● Ability to direct and facilitate the planning, development, and administration of educational and/or research programs.
● Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.
● Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
● Ability to develop and present educational programs and/or workshops.
● Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
● Knowledge of budget preparation and fiscal management.
● Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
● Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
• Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

● Ability to perform limited work in PPE for protection from mechanical hazards and laboratory radiation, chemicals, and biohazards.
● Most work is performed in an office or campus environment.
● While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather and environmental conditions consistent with Upper Peninsula climate. This may include warm, hot or cold temperatures and accompanying precipitation, humidity, and wind conditions consistent with a northern climate.
● The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
● Travel for this position may be required.
● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk 30% of the time, stand 20% of the time, and sit 50% of the time.
● The employee will occasionally lift and or carry up to 40 lbs.
● The employee may use computers, phones, copiers, and other office equipment in the course of daily duties.
● While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to use hands and fingers to, handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
● A minimum of forty (40) hours work week based on EHS demands, occasionally requiring a combination of office hours, after hours and/or weekends.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

1.0

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable, Based on Experience

Title of Position Supervisor

General Counsel

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding