Biosafety Specialist II

ABOUT USC

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology, and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance. 

JOB SUMMARY

Provides biosafety and biohazard expertise to university clients. Supports the ongoing development and implementation of university biosafety programs. Owns risk assessments for the use of biohazards and reviews research documents and current scientific literature using biohazards as well as biosafety-related rules, regulations, and guidance documents. Performs field audits, maintains departmental records and paperwork, and supports team response to emergency calls and/or events. Serves

as a member of the campus-wide program safety committee and provides training for university, state, and local biosafety policies and programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Serves as biological safety expert and point of contact for biological safety related matters, communicating biosafety and biosecurity practices to faculty and staff. Acts as the Alternate Responsible Official for the Federal Select Agent Program.  Assesses existing program(s) for adequacy and regulatory compliance and recommends enhancements or modifications, as required. Maintains current knowledge of existing and pending legislation relating to safety and health, as well as thorough understanding of biosafety risk groups, levels, practices, and safety equipment.
• Owns decontamination and decommission of laboratories and equipment used for biological agents, as well as the shipping, receipt, storage and removal of infectious agents and toxins used in

biological research. Owns biosafety laboratory inspections, equipment validation, and documentation of deficiencies and/or violations. Conducts field audits for compliance to program regulations. Prepares reports as required.

• Supports team response to emergency calls or events, e.g., biological spills, and ensures that proper safety methods and procedures are being followed in coordination with facilities management. Assists in response to indoor air quality complaints likely to be of biological origin, e.g., mold, by assessing the source and making recommendations for corrective actions, coordinating with occupational health and facilities management.
• Maintains administrative paperwork as well as department records, including records related to institutional biosafety committee approvals for usage of biohazards materials, biohazardous materials holdings around the university, and information related to USC Select Agent holdings and legal filings in reference to regulatory compliance with the US Patriot Act.
• Leads preparation, execution, and promotion of training sessions regarding university, state, and local biosafety policies and programs. Serves as a member of the campus-wide program safety committee, as well as the hazmat response team. Liaises with regulatory agencies and professional organizations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the position has the following qualifications: 

• Master’s degree preferred. Additional experience in lieu of master’s degree.
• 5 Years working experience in the field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

The candidate for the position must meet the following qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree required. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• 3 years’ working experience in the field.
• Valid California license.
• Working knowledge of biomedical laboratory methods, procedures, techniques, facilities, and equipment.
• Knowledge of recombinant DNA, microbial animal, and human pathogens, and biotoxins.
• Skill in examining and evaluating operations and developing and/or re-engineering operating strategies, systems, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel.

Salary Range:

The budgeted range for this position is $87,808-$95,000 per year. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC is 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience Minimum Skills: Current knowledge and understanding of federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards for the disposition and use of biohazardous agents in biomedical laboratory and animal research facilities. Ability to work independently and to organize and prioritize work assignments. Working knowledge of biomedical laboratory methods, procedures, techniques, facilities, and equipment. Knowledge of recombinant DNA, microbial animal and human pathogens, and biotoxins. Skill in examining and evaluating operations and developing and/or re-engineering operating strategies, systems, and procedures. Ability to communicate technical information to non-technical personnel. Preferred Education: Master's degree Preferred Experience: 5 years Preferred Skills: Additional experience in lieu of Master’s degree.