Laboratory Biosafety and Mitigation Officer

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Examines and defines infection and transmissibility risks in hospitals, laboratories, clinics and other organizations associated with the handling and processing of patients and specimens affected by highly infectious, live microorganisms.
  
• Performs inter-organizational planning and coordination to ensure containment of organisms and the protection of State populations.
  
• Ensures resources are optimally used in order to coordinate resources and laboratory personnel, physicians, nurses, first responders and ancillary care providers among all health care organizations and laboratories.  Determines risks, and identifies the use of resources to intensify biosafety practices, criteria and measures. 
  
• Completes studies to identify the gaps in laboratory operating procedures, laws, rules, regulations, and policies that apply to the management of patients and specimens that have highly infectious organisms and the prevention of the spread of these organisms into the State population. Recommends mitigation strategies based on the results of assessments. 
  
• Interacts with professionals such as laboratory personnel, physicians, nurses, first responders and ancillary care providers to ensure that all are consistently knowledgeable and well trained in managing high risk patients with infectious diseases.
  
• Develops, communicates and promotes trainings and workshops on protocols and regulations involving organizational leaders (laboratories, hospitals, clinics, etc.), community leaders, advocates and affected parties to develop strategies, educate and convey updated information for the medical community in the infectious patients.
  
• Develops rules, regulations, policies, guidance, and Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP), with regards to the management of highly infectious cases, in cooperation with experts and officials within and outside of Delaware including: Federal Government officials (National), Delaware State officials, neighboring state officials (regional), and medical personnel (county).
  
• Serves as the subject matter expert in matters involving biosafety and biosecurity to all laboratories in Delaware.
  
• Provides training and education to Delaware medical personnel as well as serving as a reference to any organization within Delaware (Delaware Public Health, hospital, laboratory, clinic, etc.) in facilitating and implementing biosafety and biosecurity planning and prevention measures.
  
• Develops biosafety and biosecurity plans, processes, and implementation measures, ensures compliance with biosafety and biosecurity rules, regulations, policies and practices.  
  
• Reviews annually the plans and policies for revision to ensure applicability to changing environmental conditions and operational needs.
  
• May supervise professional and clerical staff.

Job Requirements for Laboratory Biosafety and Mitigation Officer
Applicants must have education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, or laboratory related sciences.
2. Two years’ experience in quality improvement such as evaluating the quality of services, identifying problems and needs and recommending corrective action and improvements to ensure optimum service delivery, goals and objectives are met and ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and standards.
3. Two years’ experience in laboratory risk management which includes assessing and monitoring standards such as Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL); Centers for Disease Control/National institute of Health; American Biological Safety Association (ABSA International); Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP); bioterrorism regulatory commission through CDC/USDA.
4. Two years’ experience working in a clinical, environmental or research laboratory setting.
5. Six months’ experience in developing laboratory policies or procedures.
6. Knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements for biosafety, lab safety, or infectious waste management.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.