Environmental Health & Safety and Biosafety Officer

Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) is seeking an experienced EHS and Biosafety Officer to join our team. The EHS and Biosafety Officer is responsible for managing all PNRI Health and Safety programs, including radiation safety, hazardous waste management and disposal, spill response, animal safety, and workplace safety. The EHS and Biosafety Officer provides active support to PNRI’s IBC and IACUC. Working closely with building Facilities, the EHS and Biosafety Officer assures compliance with WISHA, OSHA, DOT, and all relevant regulations.  Reporting to the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, this critical role proactively identifies and mitigates health and safety risks within PNRI and ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including maintaining all registrations, licenses, and permits concerning the environmental health and safety of the Institute. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of laboratory research safety processes and procedures, as well as relevant workplace regulatory requirements.

Leveraging their subject matter expertise and knowledge of laboratory safety and risks, the EHS and Biosafety Officer has primary responsibility for the Health and Safety function at PNRI and operates with a high level of autonomy and authority.

Why PNRI?

PNRI is an independent, nonprofit, biomedical research institute with a distinguished history of contributing scientific advances to improve health. We believe genetic research holds untapped potential to improve human health. PNRI pursues an unanswered question in the field of genetics: what keeps people healthy in the face of genetic and environmental risk?  At PNRI, our culture encourages originality, risk-taking, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What you will do:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Policy Establishment

• Creates, maintains and updates PNRI Health & Safety Manual and intranet.
• Creates, maintains and updates monitoring and response programs to ensure compliance with exposure limits for hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials.
• Develops, facilitates and tracks new employee training and annual safety training for all staff, including but not limited to radiation, bloodborne pathogens, and laboratory safety, in conjunction with Human Resources.

 Radiation Protection, Biological & Chemical Programs

• Ensures compliance with “cradle to grave” chemical and radioactive tracking, dosimetry, and disposal requirements in coordination with Facilities department.
• Maintains radioactive materials database.
• Maintains chemical inventory systems.
• Manages the transfer of all biological agents entering and leaving PNRI.

Research Support Programs

• Ensures PNRI’s animal facilities are in compliance with applicable regulations, statutes, and PNRI policies in coordination with IACUC and Facilities; serves as a member of the IACUC.
• Ensures PNRI’s use of biological agents are in compliance with applicable regulations, statutes, and PNRI policies in coordination with IBC and Facilities; serves as a member of the IBC.

Compliance/Enforcement

• Ensures compliance with sewer disposal guidelines.
• Ensures compliance with Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Federal “Right to Know” requirements.
• Works closely with Operations and Human Resources staff to ensure a safe working environment for all staff.
• Chairs Health & Safety, Biosafety, and IACUC Committees including attending meetings and maintaining meeting minutes Maintains Health & Safety bulletin board with all required postings.
• Manages weekly wipe test program and monthly laboratory safety inspections and tracks results in database.

What you bring:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to demonstrate the requirements listed below which 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.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field such as Biology, Microbiology, Industrial Hygiene or equivalent in years of experience and education. Occupational Safety and Health degree, a plus.
• Minimum of two years’ working experience in a laboratory, required; or the equivalent experience, training & mentorship.
• Five years’ experience managing health and safety programs in a laboratory research environment, highly preferred. Minimum of three years' experience of direct oversight/management of health and safety programs in a laboratory research environment, required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, & local regulatory requirements and EHS and Biosafety policies, procedures and programs required; animal health experience and knowledge of OLAW requirements, a plus.
• Professional EHS certifications (ASP, CSP, CIH, CHMM, QEP, CEA, REM, etc.) desired.
• Previous successful experience as a member of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) highly preferred.
• Radiation, Chemical Hygiene and Hazardous Waste Operations certification, preferred.

 Skills and Abilities  

• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and solve potential risks.
• Demonstrable success managing multiple priorities and processes simultaneously.
• Verified time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Proven intermediate+ knowledge of Microsoft Office (i.e., Excel) required.
• Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including scientists.
• Established and verified track record of a high level of attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Confirmable self-starter with successful independent and efficient work performance.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a collaborative team player, across diverse teams.

PNRI is committed to creating a diverse environment and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

Want to be a part of the team at PNRI?  Please click on the link to submit your application today!

The annual base salary for this position is from $100,000 to $125,000 and the wage offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

PNRI requires vaccination for COVID 19 as a condition of employment.

Please see www.pnri.org for more information.

PNRI is an equal opportunity employer.  PNRI does not, and will not, discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, creed, ancestry, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital or family status, family or medical care leave, pregnancy or related condition (including childbirth and/or nursing), political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance.  We believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is not only good business, it’s the right thing to do.

www.pnri.org