Biosafety / Biosecurity Officer

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Publ Hlth Scientist (NS)

Position Number

65024112

Grade

NC20

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

This position serves as the Biosafety/Biosecurity Officer for the NC State Laboratory of Public Health, overseeing laboratory safety programs that encompass biological, chemical, and general safety practices across BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 environments.

The Biosafety / Biosecurity Officer develops and administers policies, procedures, and risk mitigation strategies that support statewide biosafety, biosecurity, occupational health, and respiratory protection programs for NCSLPH and OCME employees.

Work includes supervising assigned staff, ensuring regulatory compliance as the Responsible Official for the Federal Select Agent Program, and coordinating hazard recognition, risk assessment, and safety training for laboratorians statewide. This role collaborates with public health officials and system partners to strengthen communications, emergency response practices, and containment strategies for agents of public health concern.

Key Duties Include:

• Oversee biosafety, biosecurity, chemical safety, general laboratory safety, and occupational health programs for NCSLPH and OCME personnel.
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory safety policies and procedures supporting statewide biosafety and biosecurity program operations.
• Conduct biological hazard recognition, risk assessments, and risk mitigation planning for BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 laboratory environments.
• Supervise the Industrial Hygiene Consultant and Occupational Health Program Administrator to support coordinated safety and health functions.
• Ensure availability, delivery, and documentation of biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory safety training for staff and statewide laboratorians.
• Serve as the Responsible Official for Federal Select Agent Program compliance, including oversight of regulatory adherence under 42 C.F.R. Part 73, 7 C.F.R. Part 331, and 9 C.F.R. Part 121.
• Monitor biosafety and biosecurity practices to prevent hazards associated with handling infectious materials and biological toxins.
• Coordinate communication and emergency response planning with public health officials and system partners to address incidents involving public health agents.
• Prepare, revise, and maintain Incident Response Plans, Safety and Security Plans, and Biosafety Plans aligned with laboratory regulatory and operational requirements.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory safety and containment strategies through consultation, technical assistance, and quality management activities.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $70,478.00 - $123,336.00

Recruitment Range: $70,478.00 - $90,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated application of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity practices through hands‑on oversight of BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 workflows, including risk recognition, hazard assessment, mitigation planning, and implementation of engineering, procedural, and administrative controls.

• Documented experience managing and improving safety program operations by supervising safety‑rela