Biosafety Specialist

Job Overview

The Biosafety Specialist is a part of the Environmental Health, Safety, & Sustainability (EHS&S) team responsible for supporting and administering biosafety and biosecurity programs in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, as well as company policies and industry best practices. This role serves as a key partner to operational, laboratory, and support teams to promote a strong culture of safety and ensure the effective management of biological hazards across the site. In addition to biosafety and biosecurity responsibilities, the individual may support multiple programs as needed. The role is an on-site position at the Mattawan, Michigan location.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Administer, maintain, and continuously improve Biosafety, Biosecurity, and assigned EHS&S programs to ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, DOT, CDC, NIH, state, local, and other regulatory requirements.
• Monitor regulatory developments and emerging industry best practices; evaluate applicability and recommend program modifications to maintain compliance and operational excellence.
• Maintain required regulatory records, permits, registrations, reports, and documentation in accordance with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct risk assessments and provide technical guidance on biological and chemical hazards, containment practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination procedures, and exposure controls.
• Perform routine inspections, audits, and assessments of facilities, operations, and laboratories to verify compliance with applicable biosafety, biosecurity, environmental, and occupational safety requirements.
• Inspect facilities for compliance with regulations and guidelines, as applicable, and provide recommendations to management for corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver EHS&S training programs; maintain training materials, training matrices, and employee training records.
• Manage hazardous, biohazardous and medical waste programs, including characterization, handling, storage, transportation, manifesting, regulatory reporting, and disposal activities.
• Investigate incidents, injuries, exposures, near misses, property damage events, and safety violations; determine root causes and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Serve as an EHS Emergency Coordinator and participate in emergency preparedness, incident response, spill response, and business continuity activities, including availability for 24-hour incident response as required.
• Serve as Co-Chair of Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee(s), providing regulatory guidance and technical expertise to employees, managers, and site leadership.
• Partner with operations, laboratory personnel, facilities, veterinary staff, and other stakeholders to ensure EHS requirements are integrated into daily operations and project planning.
• Prepare written procedures, reports, and compliance documentation for clients, auditors, and regulatory agencies; coordinate communications, inspections, and regulatory interactions.
• Promote a positive safety culture through employee engagement, coaching, and proactive hazard identification and risk reduction efforts.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 5 or more years related experience, or Master’s degree with 1 or more years related experience, in Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry or a related discipline.

Other:

• Demonstrated ability to interpret/apply required federal or state regulations and manage multiple/changing priorities with many interruptions.
• Excellent commutation skills both verbal and written, project management skills, and strong time management and organizational skills are required.
• Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Computer skills, commensurate with Essential Duties and Responsibilities, including the ability to learn a validated system.
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts; sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work under specific time constraints.