Safety Specialist I (Assistant Biosafety Officer)

Position Information

Hiring Department: Environmental Health and Safety

Reports To: Associate Director

Job Location: On-site; El Paso, TX

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Non-exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: $42,000 annually

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Position Summary

Under the direction of management, incumbent will be responsible for providing technical assistance associated with biological safety, chemical safety, general laboratory safety, respiratory protection, hazardous waste, medical waste, and occupational health program projects. The individual will work with campus researchers, academic programs, and external regulators to ensure a safe and compliant environment.

The Assistant Biosafety Officer (ABSO) serves as a technical associate to the University's Biosafety Officer (BSO), ensuring the safe use of biological agents, recombinant DNA and biohazards in accordance with NIH Guidelines and other applicable regulations. The ABSO is responsible for reviewing research and instructional protocols, including submissions to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), to ensure compliance with biosafety and chemical safety standards, as well as all applicable federal, state, and university regulations and policies.

The ABSO also monitors compliance by conducting initial and follow-up on-site inspections of laboratory research facilities that conduct biosafety research; and provides support to other research and laboratory safety programs.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

Serves as a technical associate to the University's Biosafety Officer, ensuring the safe use of campus biological agents and biohazards via development of program improvements to ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines.

Assists with the development, implementation, and maintenance of programs and procedures for laboratory inspections, safety equipment inspections, hazardous waste handling, hearing conservation, respiratory protection, and occupational health.

Develops, implements, and monitors biosafety compliance of biological research laboratories across campus, including, but not limited to, those working with toxins; human or nonhuman blood, body fluids, tissues, cell or cells lines; recombinant DNA; and plant, animal and human pathogens.

Conducts safety assessments and inspection of campus offices, classrooms, laboratories and mechanical rooms. Performs inspections of areas and spaces to identify hazards. Proposes methods to manage hazards and reduce risk. Recommending to BSO appropriate corrective actions and elevating as needed.

Works with faculty, staff, and students to promote awareness of biological and laboratory safety, respiratory protection, hearing conservation and occupational health hazards.

Investigates biological and/or laboratory incidents, which may result in writing regulatory incident reports, root cause analysis, and devising recommendations for corrective actions as needed.

Provides guidance to researchers in the field or laboratory regarding safe work practice alternatives, such as safe sharp implementation or workflow design changes.

Designs and delivers the safety training programs through in-person and on-line training systems to educate laboratory personnel, building occupants, and service personnel in biological safety, laboratory safety, , respiratory protection, and hearing conservation.. Maintains training records.

Investigates biological and/or laboratory incidents, which may result in writing regulatory incident reports, root cause analysis, and devising recommendations for corrective actions as needed.

Provides guidance to researchers in the field or laboratory regarding safe work practice alternatives, such as safe sharp implementation or workflow design changes.

Assists with the packaging, pick-up, transport and disposal of hazardous chemical waste, radioactive waste, and biological waste.

Conducts hazardous material shipments for the university.

Prepares hazardous materials for ground and air transport. Trains laboratory personnel in hazardous materials shipping.

Assists in developing and implementing comprehensive spill prevention procedures. Reviews laboratory plans for spill prevention.

Responds on behalf of Environmental Health and Safety to hazardous materials spills, fire alarm activations and other campus emergencies. Prepares and submits incident reports and accident investigations to management.

Inspects safety equipment in laboratories; eye wash stations, safety showers, fire extinguishers, chemical fume hoods and performs annual testing to ensure safe operation. Submits work orders when necessary for repairs.

Coordinates calibration of monitoring equipment.

Conducts indoor air-quality evaluation of offices and buildings. Prepares evaluation report for management review and presents findings to stakeholders.

Maintains working knowledge of OSHA, CDC, USDA, NIH, EPA, TCEQ, NFPA and other government regulations.

Knowledge in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules, NIH/CDC Guidelines "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories," OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Texas Department of State Health Services, Contaminated Sharps Injuries Regulations.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional data management systems.

Complies with all State and University Policies

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Associate's Degree.

and

Experience: Two years of experience, related to the statement of duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and laboratory experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in science or engineering field.

Two years of safety experience.

Two years of laboratory research experience in related field.

Associate Safety Professional, Certified Safety Professional, or Certified Industrial Hygienist.

Why Pick UTEP

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan. Built around the institution's core strengths-its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships-the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University's regional impact and national stature.

Miner Perks and Benefits

What UTEP Offers:

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.

Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.

Additional Information

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the positions essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEPs Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.