Senior Safety Partner, Animal Biosafety

Senior Safety Partner, Animal Biosafety

Arizona State University

EHS Biosafety Biosecurity

Campus: Tempe

65894BR

Job Description

Plans, organizes, evaluates, and implements activities and programs to ensure safe and compliant animal (including arthropod) research and teaching environments through inspections, field assignments, training and educational programs. Educate, advise and inform campus community about biohazards used in animal research and teaching activities and communicate animal biosafety practices and procedures for control. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local animal biosafety requirements through regulatory oversight, best management practices, administrative and engineering controls, enforcement, and notification to the appropriate university Management. This position will serve as the primary liaison between EHS, the ASU animal research community, and Knowledge Enterprise. The position will review and provide biosafety expertise on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, attend monthly IACUC meetings, participate in semi-annual IACUC inspections, prepare for and participate in third party certification efforts (e.g., AAALAC), serve as a resource during regulatory inspections (e.g., USDA, FDA), and be responsive to all incidents involving animals on campus. The Animal Biosafety Officer will also provide hands-on support and training to personnel involved in animal research (e.g., developing safe needle and injection processes to prevent needle stick injuries). This position will work closely with Employee Health to determine medical surveillance requirements for each animal research project.

Salary Range

$57,850 - $89,000 per year; DOE

Close Date

12-March-2021

Essential Duties

• Coordinate and inspect facilities with organisms and materials requiring Animal Biosafety Level One (ABSL-1); Animal Biosafety Level Two (ABSL-2), Animal Biosafety Level Three (ABSL-3) containment requirements in accordance with the CDC/NIH manual, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.
• Coordinate and inspect ABSL-1, ABSL-2, and ABSL-3 facilities using recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid materials in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research with Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.
• Coordinate and inspect facilities with organisms and materials requiring Arthropod Containment Level One (ACL-1), Arthropod Containment Level Two (ACL-2), and Arthropod Containment Level Three (ACL-3) in accordance with the Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases Arthropod Containment Guidelines.
• Develop and deliver animal biosafety, animal biosecurity, and animal shipping trainings; maintain presentations currently available on various web-based platforms as needed.
• Provide technical advice to Principal Investigators, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), University administrators, staff, faculty, and students on research animal biosafety procedures.
• Perform detailed risk assessments for higher risk animal research projects and provide requirements and recommendations to Principal Investigators, laboratory personnel, and animal care staff.
• Serve as primary contact to advise and provide technical animal biosafety and animal biosecurity guidance to university staff, faculty, and administrators regarding codes, policies and procedures.
• Advise and consult with university management regarding animal-related safety and loss control programs to help them comply with regulations.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and construction managers in evaluating safety precautions, requirements, recommendations, and code analysis for animal and arthropod facilities.
• Report any significant problems, violations, deviations from IACUC protocols and any significant research-related accidents or illnesses, to appropriate university management.
• Respond to emergencies involving animals (including arthropods) used in biological research and perform post-incident reporting and corrective actions.
• Analyze accident patterns and determine appropriate actions to reduce or eliminate safety hazards.
• Review experimental setups involving animals (including arthropods) and assess for safety.
• Verify that facilities, procedures and practices, training and personnel expertise are in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements and University policies and procedures.
• Review Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) disclosures and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols to ensure animal and arthropod biosafety and biosecurity practices and procedures are incorporated in research and teaching.
• Drive Arizona State University leased, owned or rented vehicles and carts to various ASU locations to perform work.  

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Occupational Safety, Environmental Health or related discipline AND three (3) years Animal Biosafety/Biosecurity or arthropod research related experience; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved. Possession of a current Arizona driver’s license is required upon employment. Receive required vaccinations to support current research (e.g. vaccinia vaccine) upon employment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in reviewing and providing biosafety expertise on Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols
• Experience performing safety inspections for animal biosafety level 1 (ABSL-1) and animal biosafety level 2 (ABSL-2) laboratories, and animal biosafety level 3
• Experience in preparing for and participating in third party certification efforts (e.g., Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International –AAALAC)
• Experience participating in federal regulatory inspections (e.g., United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Experience responding to incidents, accidents and near misses involving research animals
• Experience providing hands-on support and training to personnel involved in animal research (e.g., developing safe needle and injection processes to prevent needlestick injuries)
• Experience performing injections in animals (e.g., tail-vein injections, intramuscular, subcutaneous)
• Experience performing blood draws in research animals (e.g., retroorbital bleeds, terminal bleeds)
• Experience performing risk assessments of experimental setups involving research animals to reduce potential exposures
• Experience determining medical surveillance requirements for personnel involved in animal research projects

Working Environment

• The candidate selected will work with and have access to biological select agents and toxins (“BSATs”), particularly those classified as Tier 1 BSATs. These agents are strictly controlled and are subject to Federal and institutional regulations, policies and procedures. Pursuant to federal regulations governing Tier 1 BSAT, ASU shall conduct pre-employment screenings, which will include verification of work history, academic credentials, references, licenses, and certifications. Employment offer is contingent upon passing: FBI security risk assessment; criminal and misdemeanor background check; and occupational health assessment. Occupational health assessment will include, but is not limited to: physical exam; medical screening; respirator fit testing; required vaccinations (Tetanus, MMR, ACAM 2000, and any other based upon research requirements such as the SARS COVID-19 vaccine); and baseline tuberculosis testing.
• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse.
• Required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.
• Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.
• Clearly communicate to perform essential functions.
• Inspection of laboratories or other facilities that may contain animals, hazardous materials, equipment or processes.
• Employee must possess a valid US Driver’s license of the appropriate class and required endorsements throughout employment.

Department Statement

With more than 70,000 students across four campuses, Arizona State University is a comprehensive public research university located in one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. ASU's historic Tempe campus is home to research-based academic disciplines. At the West campus, ASU offers students interdisciplinary programs for broad learning experiences. At the Polytechnic campus, students approach professional and technological programs through project based learning. The Downtown Phoenix campus, the university's newest location, is focused on programs with public purpose. As one of the fastest growing research universities in the United States, Arizona State University offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) professionals. In a leadership role, EHS works with the research and administrative communities to develop sound, cost effective solutions to the challenges associated with the development of compliance strategies and good practices. For more information about the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, please visit our website at: http://cfo.asu.edu/ehs. ASU offers tuition waivers (to include yourself, spouse and dependents), paid vacations and holidays, excellent benefit package, employee training and development opportunities to prepare you for the challenges ahead. The position is located at the University Services Building, 1551 S. Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona and provides support to all four ASU campuses.  

ASU Statement

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 80,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobaccoArizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety ReportIn compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/relocation-services.

Employment Verification Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.

Instructions to Apply

Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.Applicant must be eligible to work in the United States; ASU Environment, Health and Safety will not be a sponsor for this position.ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, professional licenses, Department of Motor Vehicle, and certifications. Possession of a current Arizona driver’s license is required upon employment. ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.