Biosafety Compliance Specialist chez INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT

Description

Innovative Consulting & Management Services (ICMS) is a Professional & Technical Management Consulting firm with over 20 years of consulting experience. We offer technical professional services to Federal and State Governments, and Commercial clients.

ICMS is a Small Business and Certified HUBZone employer. We deliver value to our clients by combining deep industry knowledge with strong functional capabilities. Our focus is to manage cost-effective programs while at the same time mitigating risk and improving results. Our success is about teamwork, a coordinated effort from all disciplines, from clients to consultants and most important, it’s about delivering on our commitments.

The purpose of this position is to provide biosafety compliance support at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Services’ Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, MD. The BARC conducts cutting-edge research to solve agricultural problems, improve the quality and safety of food, feed, and fiber, and ensure efficient, sustainable production systems that benefit both producers and consumers. Its work includes a broad range of disciplines, from animal and human nutrition to crop protection, natural resource management, and the development of advanced technologies for the agricultural sector.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of the position will include but not limited to:

• Understanding  of biosafety level (BSL) classifications and containment requirements.
• Hazard Risk Management
• Familiarity with CDC, NIH, OSHA, EPA, USDA, and FDA biosafety standards.
• Assessment of biological risks in research involving pathogens, recombinant DNA, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and biohazardous materials.
• Development of containment strategies and exposure mitigation techniques.
• Laboratory Safety Practices
• Safe handling and disposal of biohazardous waste.
• Protocols for preventing contamination and laboratory-acquired infections.
• Animal, Plant, and Human Research Biosafety and Biosecurity
• Specialized knowledge of biosafety in studies involving multiple animal species, agricultural      plants, and human subjects.
• Ethical considerations in human research.
• Emergency Response & Incident Investigation
• Procedures for managing biological/pathogen releases, exposure incidents, and outbreaks.
• Documentation and reporting requirements.
• Review and interpret proposed/existing laws, regulations statutes, and Executive Orders; suggest program impact; draft new or revised Agency Policy and Procedures, Directives, Notices, and guidance documents; and assist with Agency program implementation.
• Recommend policies, program requirements, guidance, specifications, environmental sampling, protocol guidelines, evaluation criteria, and standard operating procedures to implement the SHEM program.
• Coordinate chemical, biological, and radiological safety concerns/issues with appropriate personnel.
• Recommend Area/Location goals, objectives, and resource requirements for reducing or eliminating accidents, injuries, illnesses, and damage to the environment.
• Monitor and/or assist in the abatement of unsafe/unhealthful working conditions.
• Assist in addressing all SHEM program concerns relating to the acquisition and disposal of real and personal property.
• Develop and maintain databases for tracking inspections, injury and illness analysis, hazard reporting forms, etc.
• Monitor construction and environmental operations and provide recommendations regarding the assurance that projects are carried out as required and in compliance with applicable regulations, policy, standards, guidelines, specs, etc.
• Review and provide recommendations for approval of project designs to ensure they comply with applicable regulations, policy, standards, guidelines, etc.
• Conduct and/or review National Environmental Policy Act studies. Develop and submit appropriate documentation for signature.
• Conduct and/or initiate Safety Health & Environmental Management (SHEM) studies and develop recommendations for corrective actions and program improvement.
• Conduct and/or participate in meetings/teleconferences as necessary to implement the program.
• Draft SHEM Statements of work.
• Design systems and instruments to facilitate implementation of SHEM programs.
• Report internally and/or externally on major accidents/incidents/releases, etc.  as required by policy.
• Prepare  and/or assist in the preparation of assigned SHEM reports as required by the Agency.
• Assist in responding to SHEM regulatory inquires, inspection reports, notices of violation, etc.
• Clearly document all aspects of the SHEM program as required by the Agency.
• Monitor and review Agency activities and controls, documents problems, and recommends improvement projects for identified problem areas.
• Provide technical information to employees, cooperators and visitors regarding matters related to the SHEM program.
• Conduct inspections and technical reviews including special topic evaluations (as necessary) of all workplaces including follow-up to ensure abatement is conducted.
• Conduct gap analysis and needs assessments as required by the Agency.
• Develop improvement projects where SHE deficiencies and/or discrepancies are identified.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in a biological or physical science field
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in the industry
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 Suite, SharePoint as well as Adobe Acrobat. 
• Proficient in organizing and utilizing MS Teams for communications and project management.
• Effective communicator in both written and oral presentations.

Full-time Day Shift: Monday-Friday, Flexible Start Times

Pay Rate: $70,000 - $100,000/annual

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 100% covered for employee
• Life and Accidental AD&D Insurance
• 401K retirement plan with 3% automatic contribution
• Generous sick and vacation leave 
• Paid Federal Holidays

ICMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability or veteran status, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

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