Biosafety Officer

Date:
Sep 8, 2026

AUSTIN, TX

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Biosafety Officer

Microbiologist IV

Dept of State Health Services

Quality Assurance

19001

03/09/2027

Internal and External

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

$6,168.54 - $7,707.01

Monthly

TEXAS-B-23

Day

Up to 10%

Regular

Full time

Nonexempt

AUSTIN

1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL)

230X,43BX,43TX,71A,SEI
12

Under the direction of the Laboratory Safety Group Manager and assisting the Safety Officer V Team Lead, this position will perform highly complex (senior level) work ensuring adequate biosafety training and practices to avoid potential hazards associated with the handling of biological materials, the spread of multi-drug-resistant pathogens and threats of emerging pathogens. Ensures review of current safety protocols, risk assessments and risk mitigation plans for the DSHS Laboratory.

Provides guidance and technical assistance to laboratory staff. Educates and trains staff on topics such as, but not limit to, working safely with infectious materials. Conducts laboratory area reviews to evaluate compliance with biosafety regulations and develops action plans to address gaps. Leads as an active member on the Laboratory Safety Committee to provide education and training on how to build an effective biosafety program.

May be required to work outside regular business hours, on holidays and weekends. This position will work under limited supervision and with extensive latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.

Assists the Safety Officer ensuring adequate biosafety training and practices to avoid potential hazards associated with the handling of biological materials, the spread of multi-drug resistant pathogens and threats of emerging pathogens. Analyzes the current biosafety programs in the laboratory and develops plans to improve program consistency in all areas performing BSL1 - BSL3 procedures. Ensures review of current safety protocols, risk assessments and risk mitigation plans for the DSHS Laboratory.

Oversees the development of policies and procedures that help to ensure the safety of laboratory staff and the provision of a safe physical environment to meet biosafety requirements mandatory for laboratory accreditation, certification and/or permits. Performs respiratory fit testing on laboratory staff to ensure Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (29 CFR ) requirement is met prior to respirator use in the workplace.

Encourages a culture of safety and reporting of actual and potential safety issues which may place staff and others at risk; assesses those risks; and implements redundant systems to keep risks to the absolute minimum.

Acts as the backup contact for the Laboratory Building Coordinator during laboratory building emergencies, such as power outages, and water leaks; may be required to respond to emergencies during non-business hours and on weekends and holidays. Provide guidance and technical assistance to laboratory staff of the consequence of infectious diseases. Educates and trains staff on topics such as, but not limit to, working safely with biological materials.

Provides training on the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), implementing decontamination procedures following exposure, packaging and shipping of infectious agents, and reviewing waste management plans, including methods for recycling and disposal of biological hazards.

Conducts laboratory area reviews to evaluate compliance with biosafety regulations and…