Associate Biological Safety Officer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory • Full-time • Livermore, CA, US • $84.58k - $188.88k / year • 1d ago

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range: $84,576 - $188,880 Annually

$84,576 - $157,464 Annually for the TSS.2 level

$101,376 - $188,880 Annually for the TSS.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for an Associate Biological Safety Officer who will play a key role in supporting LLNL’s biological safety programs under the direction of the Institutional Biosafety Officer. You will assist the Institutional Biosafety Officer in ensuring the biosafety program at LLNL is comprehensive and compliant and provide support and guidance in the area of biosafety. This position is in the Biosafety and Biogovernance Functional Area within the Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week

You will

Independently conduct periodic inspections of BSL-1/ABSL-1 and BSL-2/ABSL-2 laboratories following established inspection checklists to identify and evaluate potential hazards, assess compliance with federal, state and local regulations and institutional requirements and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
Assist research personnel in developing Biological Use Authorizations (BUAs) for proposed moderate to complex biological research including identification of appropriate biosafety containment levels, practices, procedures and controls to mitigate biological hazards using established biosafety regulations (e.g., NIH Guidelines) and guidelines [e.g., Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)].
Serve as an alternate voting member for the Institutional Biosafety Officer on the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Biological Review Committee (BRC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and other committees, as appropriate.
Evaluate work activities to identify hazards and recommend controls and observe work being performed to ensure controls are adequate.
Assist with the development, maintenance, and review of current policies, procedures and documentation for regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
Present formal classroom training in biological safety and animal biological safety.
Assist with the response to, and investigation of, incidents involving biological materials following established emergency and incident response protocols.
Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with principal investigators (PIs), researchers, staff and line managers in directorates authorizing biological research to enhance biosafety practices, increase biosafety awareness and foster proactive risk management.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Job Responsibilities, At The TSS.3 Level

Serve as an Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the LLNL Select Agent Program and in the absence of the Responsible Official (RO), carry out all responsibilities of the RO to ensure compliance with the Federal Select agent Program; assist the RO with maintaining detailed records necessary to provide a complete accounting of all activities related to the use and/or transfer of select agents and perform audits and inspections of the BSL-3/ABSL-3 laboratories.
Respond to incidents and emergencies involving biological materials on site; investigate incidents involving biological materials and make recommendations to all levels of management to prevent a recurrence.
Develop and implement comprehensive biosafety training programs based on industry best practices, adult learner theory and the latest training technologies and establish effective communication and outreach strategies to enhance biosafety awareness that can be implemented on a rolling basis to continuously capture new incoming biological researchers.

Qualifications

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Pathology, Molecular/Cellular Biology, or related field or equivalent level of demonstrated knowledge and relevant previous experience.
Experience providing technical guidance for the control of biological hazards using knowledge of applicable federal, state and local biosafety regulations, standards, and policies [e.g., Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL), National Institutions of Health (NIH) Guidelines, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard]
Comprehensive knowledge of conducting safety audits/inspections of biological research laboratories for compliance with biosafety requirements, preparing technical reports, identifying corrective actions and working with the biological research community to correct compliance issues.
Experience building strong working relationships and trust with the regulated biological research community and a demonstrated collaborative approach to establishing and maintaining a shared commitment to high standards of safety and compliance.
Proficient verbal and written communication, facilitation, collaboration, and presentation skills required to effectively present, explain and communicate complex technical information.
Proficient situational awareness, problem solving, decision making and analytical skills necessary to evaluate, interpret, recommend and reduce/resolve workplace hazards associated with work with biological materials.
Experience working independently and in a team environment with a broad cross-section of people and organizations, managing complex projects and meeting schedules.

Additional Qualifications, At The TSS.3 Level

Ability to secure and maintain a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)/Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Risk Assessment (SRA) for access to Tier 1 select agents, ability to become medically qualified to wear a respirator and ability to secure and maintain certification in the Select Agent Human Reliability Program (SAHRP) which includes: physical and psychological assessment and random drug and alcohol testing.
Advanced knowledge and skill in interpreting and applying applicable biosafety regulations, standards and policies including reviewing and interpreting new health and safety standards and conducting gap analyses against existing requirements.
Advanced experience in presenting and communicating complex technical information to all levels of management, laboratory personnel, regulatory agencies and/or key stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

Advance Degree in Microbiology, Virology, Immunology, Pathology, Molecular/Cellular Biology, or related field.
Previous research experience at the BSL-3 or ABSL-3 containment level, experience working in a Select Agent Program or experience in the role of Responsible Official (RO) or Alternate RO.
Professional certification in biosafety (e.g., Registered Biosafety Professional, Certified Biosafety Professional).

Additional Information

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
Flexible Benefits Package
401(k)
Relocation Assistance
Education Reimbursement Program
Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

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