Environmental, Safety & Health/ Compliance Director

EH&S / Compliance Director (Job Code: CD08208M)

The Buck Institute for Age Research is currently seeking a Compliance Director. As the only independent institute in the U.S. devoted solely to research on aging and age-related disease, the Buck Institute is focused on understanding the mechanisms of aging and discovering new ways of detecting, preventing and treating conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, arthritis, and stroke.

 

Designated by the National Institute of Aging as one of five Nathan Shock Centers of Excellence in the Biology of Aging, the Buck is a recognized national and regional resource for those studying the aging process. The Institute’s innovative, collaborative research is supported by four technology cores including; genomics, proteomics/mass spectrometry, cellular imaging/morphology and transgenic services.  The Buck Institute is located in Novato, 25 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Institute opened its research facility in 1999 and currently has approximately 150 employees representing 17 countries. The Buck Institute was designed by world famous architect I.M Pei, and sits on 488 acres of land on Mt. Burdell.

 

Summary

With oversight provided by the VP Facilities and the Institutional Official, the Director of Compliance/EH&S is responsible for planning, management, supervision and implementation of Buck Institute regulatory compliance and environmental health and safety programs. Compliance: Responsible for ensuring the Buck Institute is in compliance with all applicable governmental policies, laws and regulations, including training programs, appropriate mechanisms for protocol review and approval, and providing support to committee chairs and others as appropriate and necessary.  This includes oversight of various functions such as Radiation safety, Biosafety, IRB activities, the OS&H programs and program protocols and procedures including IACUC, BUA, RUA, AAALAC certification, etc.  Environmental Health and Safety: Responsible for comprehensive Institute-wide EH&S programs, ensuring compliance with Federal, State, local and Buck Institute standards. EH&S responsibilities include overall facility safety including OSH policies for animal workers, occupational health and industrial hygiene, radiation safety, biosafety, bio-security, environmental protection and waste management, risk analysis, regulatory compliance, employee safety health training/education, employee health protection programs and procedures.  Responsible for promoting, fostering and supporting a proactive, leadership driven/employee participatory injury free culture.

 

 Responsibilities Responsible for all aspects of the Compliance Program at the Buck Institute, including; staffing and coordinating all relevant meetings, preparing agendas and transcribing meeting minutes, consult with and advise committee chairs, initial review of research protocols to identify regulatory complinance issues,, confirmation that internal and external reporting requirements have been satisfied, mainting internal policies in appropriate and current condition and assure they have been updated by the appropriate entity/person, including those that are the direct responsibility of the Compliance Director.  Must possess breadth of knowledge of all aspects of environmental and occupational safety and health regulations and knowledge of applicable local, state and federal regulatory compliance requirements. Serve as the Biosafety Officer, staff the Biosafety Committee and work with other regulatory committees, and with administrative Directors and Faculty, in all matters pertaining to biosafety including waste management. Monitor laboratories for compliance with all relevant federal, state, local and Buck Institute policies and regulations. Responsible for ensuring that all laboratory policies, procedures and practices are reviewed on an annual basis or as changes and updates are required by practices or regulation.         Provide oversight of the Radiation Safety Program, participate on the Radiation Safety Committee and work with other regulatory committees, various administrative directors and the Radiation Safety Officer.  May serve as Radiation Safety Officer if requested.           Coordinate IRB activities, working with the Buck institute’s IRB Chair and officials at Marin General Hospital, the IRB authority for the Buck Institute. Responsible, if required, for establishing a Buck Institute IRB, if ever necessary.         Responsible for the Environmental Health and Occupational Safety and Health (OS&H) Program at the Buck Institute, including hazard communication and injury and illness prevention programs; ergonomics program; and the safety and regulatory training program, that includes providing or coordinating all required new employee, annual and on-going training. Work in consultation with the Director of Human Resources, the OS&H consultant, the Vivarium Director on animal worker health and other committees, as appropriate. Act as the liaison with all federal, state, local or other inspectors of environmental, health and safety and Workers Compensation. Provide coordination and staffing of the OS&H Committee.          Working with Institute official(s) coordinate response and investigation of accidents; determine causes and methods of prevention; design and implement a loss control program.    Provide oversight of system (personnel/vendors) for the collection and disposal of chemical, radioactive, and biohazardous wastes.    Serve as an ad hoc member on designated regulatory committees, except Biosafety, where role is to serve as a regular voting member.  The role of an ad hoc member is to respond to questions regarding training programs or actions/activities that the other committees may have taken that could have an impact upon the committee that is meeting.   Responsible for filing new and updating or renewing existing Buck Institute assurances and licenses.  Prepare reports on all the committees to send to the Institutional Official on an as required basis.   Prepare an annual budget for Compliance/EH&S department and the various committees, as necessary.    Ensure that proper protocol and procedures are implemented and followed by all Buck Institute employees, including the monitoring of the safety practices in the laboratories to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements. ·         Verify that all research programs have the appropriate approved protocols to conduct the subject research, including IACUC, BUA, RUA, human subjects, etc.        Responsible for the development and maintenance of a database to track and as necessary, communicate, all relevant information on protocols, committee actions, reporting and licensing requirements, pending approvals, etc.           Utilize up-to-date, effective methods for communications with personnel on EH&S and Compliance to ensure (promote and foster) compliance and, as possible, an injury free culture.     Responsible for planning and implementing a staff and/or outsource system to provide, within approved budget, the program requirements of Compliance and EH&S.  Other duties as required and as requested. 

Requirements

Education and Specialized TrainingMS (PhD degree preferred), with training/experience required in the areas of industrial hygiene, laboratory safety, EH&S, Compliance, and regulatory affairs. Experience

Minimum of five years experience in compliance, directing or in a lead management role in an academic, research or other comparable environment. License or Certification

NA 

Specialized Skills        Must possess breadth of knowledge of all aspects of environmental and occupational safety and health regulations and knowledge of applicable local, state and federal regulatory compliance requirements.         Must possess excellent negotiation and written/verbal communication skills.        Must demonstrate exceptional organizational, planning and supervisory abilities. Must be able to effectively balance multiple schedules and demands and meet critical deadlines. Must be resourceful and highly effective at solving immediate problems. Sophisticated proficiency in the use of the Macintosh and supported software (MS Office suite, etc.) and experience with database and presentation (PowerPoint) programs.  

Physical Requirements        Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time. Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction        Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard        Communication skills using the spoken word        Ability to see within normal parameterso        Ability to hear within normal range  Ability to move about

 Potential Job Exposure

Work may require daily, weekly, or monthly exposure to the following: Video display terminal>4 or more hours/day  Repetitive motion Hazardous chemicals in a laboratory environment (Limited to BSL2) Lifting, pushing, pulling over 25 pounds

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by most people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and requirements.  Scheduling flexibility is required to accommodate changing business needs.

 

The Buck Institute for Age Research offers the opportunity to work in an exciting and dynamic environment at the forefront of science using state-of-the-art techniques.

We offer competitive salaries, a rich benefit package and excellent work environment:·          Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

·          $50,000 Life and AD&D Insurance

·          Disability Insurance (STD & LTD)·          Flexible Reimbursement Accounts

·          Supplemental Life Insurance

·          11 Paid holidays / 3 weeks accrued vacation / Winter Break / Sick leave /·          2 Retirement Plans: 403(b) - 5% company match & 401(a) - 5% company contribution; 5 year step vested

The Buck Institute provides a collaborative environment – both for science and social activities. The Buck Institute provides a workplace where: Time, skills and talent make a difference Collaboration, teamwork, and initiative are valued Diversity and a passion for discovery are appreciated Scientific excellence and academic independence are supported

To Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to hr@buckinstitute.org This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . The Job Code: CD08208M must be the only information on the subject heading of your email in order for your application to be reviewed. We use E-verify to confirm work authorization.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.