Summary The purpose of the Biosafety, Safety, and Security Program Compliance Officer position is to support the VA's mission and strategic initiatives by ensuring that research programs utilizing laboratory and/or office space adhere to standards and guidelines in biosafety, fire and natural disaster safety, radiation safety, environmental safety, equipment management, and security of the research buildings. Responsibilities THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION NOTE: This is a TERM appointment (not-to-exceed 9/30/2029). Term appointments are non-status, nonpermanent appointments of limited duration (more than 1 year but not more than 4). Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally have the same benefits as permanent employees including health and life insurance, within-grade increases and Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan coverage. Term appointments may be extended without further competition (up to the 4-year maximum). The appointment to a Term position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. MAJOR DUTIES: Conducts formal rigorous laboratory and office space inspections on a quarterly basis to ensure that the research environment is safe for employees. Serves as the primary contact person for the Logistics Department for performing the annual VA-owned equipment inventories. Establishes the monthly schedule of inventories, coordinates with Logistics staff and individual Responsible Officials for performing inventories, as well as personally performing inventories as necessary. Ensures that all laboratory staff have appropriate attire and have identification badges while in the research buildings; serves as a source to obtain proper personal protective equipment. Ensures the physical plant operates for the safety and comfort of staff and research animals by immediately responding to performance issues with water supply and distribution, HVAC system, electrical distribution and water processing systems. Notifies Facilities Management on emergent infrastructure issues as well as developing temporary solutions to maintain continuity of operations. Performs safety assessments of the research environment including building perimeter security which includes operable cardkey access doors, permanently locked alarmed doors, windows, and rooftop access. Oversees hands-on training of all investigators and staff at routine intervals and not less than annually for all matters regarding biosafety, safety, and research security. Drafts Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for training of all investigators and their research staff in specific chemical hazards, physical hazards, Life Safety and Disaster Response. Assists in special projects, facility grants projects, or other matters pertaining to the Greater Los Angeles biosafety, safety, and research security program. Drafts and maintains the Disaster Response Plans and Continuity of Operations Plan. Exercises responsibility for annual or other specific reports dealing with any aspects of biosafety, safety, and/or research security to VA Office of Research & Development (ORD), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), VA Office of Research Oversight (ORO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other regulatory or oversight organizations. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Qualifications BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: You must possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university with a major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of this a Health Science Specialist - Research. Note: Transcript(s) must be submitted at the time of application. Please ensure that your transcripts show that a degree was conferred in the appropriate field. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. ~ AND ~ Specialized Experience Requirement: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service, demonstrating mastery and application of professional knowledge in one or more scientific disciplines such as biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biosafety engineering, or a related field. This experience must include work involving all or most of the following: biosafety, radiation safety, environmental and chemical safety, laboratory equipment management, and research space or building security. The applicant must also demonstrate technical familiarity with research involving blood or tissue that may carry blood-borne pathogens, hazardous chemicals (e.g., acids, flammables, toxins, or carcinogens), laboratory gases, and radioactive materials or radiation-producing equipment. Experience must include familiarity with experimental design, laboratory organization or construction, and the ability to train others in safety protocols. The applicant must have experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including research investigators, laboratory staff, medical center personnel, and external reviewers or inspectors within a research or healthcare environment. A Quality Ranking Factor has been requested by the facility to help determine which of the basically qualified applicants are likely to be better qualified for a position. The quality ranking factor for this position is: "A doctoral degree (PhD) in the biological sciences." This degree is preferred, as it typically provides the scientific foundation to support advanced audit and compliance activities. Quality Ranking Factors are skills, knowledge, abilities, or other worker characteristics which could be expected to result in superior performance on the job. Quality ranking factors will not be used for screening but may be used as ranking criteria. Applicants with higher proficiency levels may rank above those with lower proficiency levels on a quality ranking factor. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Compliance Inspection Project Management Quality Ranking Factor Technical Competence IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: This position requires sitting, bending, standing, walking and occasional lifting of objects less than 50 pounds. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application to verify possession of the basic education requirement. There is no educational substitution for specialized experience at this grade level. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov). Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
