Biological Safety Officer

Job no: 495370
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Environmental Health/Safety, Other

Department:
The Environmental Safety & Health Department (ESH) is dedicated to supporting UMBC's mission of conducting research, education, and clinical care in a safe and healthy environment while furthering environmental stewardship and sustainability. ESH provides leadership for university health and safety programs; establishes, monitors, and enforces institutional policies and procedures; and helps ensure that investigators, staff, students, and contractors comply with all federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety regulatory standards and codes, including university policies and procedures ESH provides education and guidance on environmental health and safety issues, including work practices and activities involving hazardous and regulated materials, equipment, and environments. In addition, ESH provides administrative support for the Institutional Biological and Chemical Safety Committee (IBC), the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), and other independent environmental health and safety committees that review protocols describing research activities.

Position Overview:
The Biosafety Officer/Specialist plays an important role in supporting a safe and compliant research environment across the university. This position serves the campus community by providing expertise, guidance, training, and support to researchers, faculty, staff, and students engaged in Biological research.

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $88,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

Telework:
A limited hybrid telework schedule may be available.

Responsibilities:
Oversee the university's biosafety program, ensuring that research involving biological agents is conducted safely and in compliance with applicable requirements. Advise faculty, researchers, students, and staff on biosafety practices, containment, risk assessment and laboratory procedures.

Responsibilities include:

• Manages compliance with federal, state and University regulations, policies and procedures governing research using recombinant DNA molecules and biological agents and other research activities, including the campus biological safety program.
• Serves as an Institutional Biosafety Committee member.
• Assists investigators and staff in interpreting regulations and guidelines for biological agents and recombinant DNS, biological agent shipping, biocontainment facility design, biosafety practices, risk assessment, work practices, and decontamination.
• Manages the laboratory safety inspection program.
• Assists the Responsible Official with development and implementation of the Select Agent Program.
• Develops and implements training programs.
• Responds to and assists with mitigation of emergencies and spills involving biohazardous materials.

Required Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Biology or related field.

Two years of experience in a biological safety officer level position
or
Five years of experience at the assistant biological safety officer/specialist level.

Preferred Qualifications:
Certified Biosafety Safety Professional preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Upload a cover letter and a resume.

Closing Date:Open Until Filled

Benefits:
UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave
• 15 Days of Sick Leave
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary:
Salary: $88,000- $99,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hours:Full Time

Type:Regular

FLSA Status:Exempt

Advertised: Sep 18 2026 09:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open Until Filled

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