Biological Safety and Health Specialist III

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit: The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) provides the focus for the administration of all safety programs to Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke University Health System. OESO has the responsibility for developing institutional safety plans and policies; providing information and training to meet all regulatory requirements; providing technical consultation and guidance; conducting exposure and risk assessments; conducting safety audits; monitoring compliance with all safety policies; and investigating accidents, injuries, and reported unsafe conditions. Specific to the Biological Safety Division: The Biological Safety Division provides biosafety and biosecurity oversight across Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke University Health System to protect personnel from biological hazards and support safe research, patient care, and institutional operations. Its scope includes research and clinical laboratories, high-containment facilities, animal research, clinical trials, patient care settings, and work performed by facilities and support personnel. Biological hazards include infectious agents, bloodborne and airborne pathogens, biologically derived toxins, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids, and select agents and toxins. The Division develops and implements policies, exposure control plans, training, risk assessments, audits, and incident follow-up; provides technical consultation on containment practices, facilities, equipment, and biological materials management; and supports institutional biosafety review, select agent compliance, and oversight of research with dual use concerns. These activities are informed by applicable regulatory requirements and current safety guidelines and coordinated with institutional committees and partners to promote safe practices, prevent occupational exposures, and maintain compliance. Primary Purpose of Position: To establish, promote, and maintain a safe work environment throughout all Duke laboratories (research and clinical). The Biological Safety Specialist uses the principles of recognition, prevention, control, and monitoring to assure employees use the proper techniques to protect themselves and others from the risks associated with exposure to biological agents. The Specialist provides biological safety training and instruction to university and medical center personnel and performs a variety of duties related to the development and implementation of safety policies and programs. Work Schedule : Regular schedule is eight hours per day Monday through Friday, with after hours and weekend coverage by telephone and/or in-person response depending on the situation. Reporting Relationship: Report directly to the Director of the OESO Biological Safety Division. Duties and Responsibilities Under the general direction of the Division Director, this position has primary responsibility to ensure compliance with biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories with applicable policies, procedures, regulations and guidelines. Coordinates high-containment laboratory safety activities, including training, occupational health requirements, audits, emergency preparedness, and facility validation. Position will also assist with BSL-2+ and BSL-2 laboratories as needed. Serves as an Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Duke Select Agent Program and assists the Responsible Official (RO) in fulfilling requirements of the Federal Select Agent Program, including personnel suitability, training, program reviews, documentation, and incident response. As needed, acts as the RO in the absence of the RO. Coordinates review and updates to the Tuberculosis Exposure Control Plan (TB E…

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