Job Description
Job No: 24342
Department: General Counsel
Work Type: Staff - Full Time
Full Time / Part Time: Full
Time
Categories: Police/Health and Safety
Department: General Counsel
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
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) %
(1=100%)
1.0
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Rate/Salary
Negotiable, Based on Experience
Title of Position
Supervisor
General Counsel
Posting Type
Internal and External
Dependent on Funding
No
To perform
this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative
of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential functions. 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. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or accommodations during Michigan Tech's hiring process please notify the Human
Resources office at 906-487-2280 or hr-help@mtu.edu . Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Weekend work,