Director of Laboratory Safety and Responsible Official
Director of Laboratory Safety and Responsible Official
The George Mason University, Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management (SEERM) department, is seeking a knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual for the position of Director of Laboratory Safety within the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS). George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.
About the Position:
The Director of Laboratory Safety will oversee and manage comprehensive programs in biosafety (BSL 2/3), chemical safety, and radiation and electromagnetic safety (e.g., radioactive materials, x-ray-producing instruments, lasers, NMR, MRI).
Responsibilities Include:
- Perform administrative functions related to oversight of the Laboratory Safety program, including employee supervision, professional development, and performance management;
- Manage Lab Safety budget and approval of routine purchases and service invoices. Manage contracts associated with Lab Safety activities to include requests for proposals, contract/application review, and invoicing;
- Provide technical support and program guidance for the select agent program, and serve as the Responsible Official;
- Serve as the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer, and provide radiation safety program support as required;
- Establish short and long-term workplans and goals for all Lab Safety functions and utilize project management tools/strategies to manage and report progress;
- Manage the laboratory inspection and corrective actions;
- New laboratory and laboratory renovation design review;
- Manage the Lab Safety document development, maintenance, and review schedule, and conduct document review and approval for Lab Safety documents in accordance with SEERM document review procedures;
- Support department leadership in development of annual reports, annual work plans, budgets, long-term strategic goals, and developing program performance metrics;
- Develop, maintain, review and approve Lab Safety training programs (in-person and virtual) offered to students and employees;
- Conduct special projects or other Lab Safety program duties as assigned;
- Must be able to respond after-hours as needed to support SEERM and in support of other relevant university emergency response plans and procedures.
Required Qualifications:
- Graduate degree (MS, MA, MPA, MPH, PhD, etc.) in a relevant field; or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Significant (generally five (5)+ years) experience providing laboratory safety compliance support;
- Some (Generally two (2)+ years) experience in a supervisory position;
- Technical expertise and work experience facilitating safety and compliance in at least two of the following areas: Biological Safety, Chemical Safety, General Laboratory Safety, Radiation Safety;
- Demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects;
- Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a cooperative team, and communicate with individuals at all levels of education and experience;
- Experience developing and editing written laboratory safety compliance plans and associated documents;
- Experience developing and presenting laboratory safety training programs;
- Knowledge of Federal and State regulations related to laboratory safety compliance and best practices to include OSHA’s Laboratory standard, the Federal Select Agent Program;
- Must be able to meet Responsible Official requirements to include the security risk assessment;
- Must live within 25 miles of the Fairfax or Science & Technology (Prince William) Campus.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience working with or facilitating compliance with 1the Federal Select Agent Program;
- Professional certification in a relevant discipline (e.g., CBSP, CCHO, CHMM, CHP, CIH, CSP);
- Experience working for an institution of higher education;
- Prior experience managing a direct expenditures budget.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA841z at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.
George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.