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High Containment Director

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/9/2026

Department Summary

UCLA Environment, Health & Safety's mission is to encourage and promote a strong safety culture that practices sound health, safety, and environmental stewardship. Our Mission Encourage and promote a strong safety culture that practices sound health, safety and environmental stewardship. Our Vision Engage and inform the UCLA Campus and Community by providing collaborative, proactive and responsive safety and compliance expertise. Our Divisions * UCLA Fire * Research Safety (Chemical, Biosafety & High Containment, Laser & Photobiological, Radiation, Diving) * Information Technology * Administration & Training * Environmental, Occupational and Safety Programs (Safety & Compliance, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health, Environmental Compliance)
Position Summary

Under direction of the Biosafety Manager/Officer, the High Containment Director will provide extremely specialized expertise for research conducted in high-containment laboratories. The incumbent will have primary responsibility for planning and implementing efficient operations, laboratory security, uniform safety and training programs, and state-of-the-art Select Agent programs for high-containment facilities. The incumbent will provide expertise to faculty, laboratory staff, and students who work with pathogens requiring high-containment and/or Select Agents in laboratory, and non-laboratory environments, as well as establish a "best in class" program for conducting research at the University of California, Los Angeles campus and ancillary off-site high containment facilities. Other responsibilities in conjunction with design engineers include, but are not limited to, assisting in the design, renovation, maintenance, and validation of these facilities, laboratory security, and provision of uniform BSL3 safety training programs in accordance with the UC BSL3 Training Standard. Perform other duties as assigned. The incumbent will serve as the Responsible Official (RO) or Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Select Agent operations and additionally, as necessary, other duties may be assigned to contribute to the mission of the biosafety group and the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Department. This position is expected to be onsite five days per week.

The High Containment Director reports directly to the Biosafety Manager/Officer within EH&S. This position functions with a high level of autonomy and self-direction in managing and directing all high containment or Select Agent facilities on and off campus. Supervisory control is maintained by both formal and ad hoc review


Salary & Compensation

*UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.
Qualifications

  • Several years Equivalent combination of education and experience. (Required) And
  • Experience in the high containment/Select Agent facilities environment of a major research university/medical center and its education, public service and patient care missions. (Required) And
  • Experience and knowledge of high containment facility practices, protocols, compliance issues, etc. (Required) And
  • Experience and knowledge of Select Agent regulations and best practices. (Required) And
  • Demonstrated detailed experience in development and implementation of a successful training program. (Required) And
  • 2 years Demonstrated work experience in a bacteriology/virology/ microbiology laboratory or equivalent. (Required)
  • Working knowledge and experience in the high containment/Select Agent facilities environment of a major research university/medical center and its education, public service and patient care missions. Demonstrated training, experience and knowledge of high containment facility practices, protocols, compliance issues, etc. Demonstrated training, experience and knowledge of Select Agent regulations and best practices. (Required)
  • Ability to train personnel involved in Select Agent and non-Select Agent laboratory research to prevent exposure incidents. (Required)
  • Ability to effectively operate key laboratory equipment sufficient to assess and identify risks, recommend mitigation measures, investigate incidents, ensure appropriate decontamination, and other biosafety issues. (Required)
  • Ability to perform comprehensive risk assessment to document program strengths and recommend appropriate and timely course(s) of action for areas in need of improvement. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to read blueprints and work with Capital Programs in the design of efficient, secure, and safe high containment facilities. (Required)
  • Working knowledge of personal computers sufficient to use the most current version of Windows applications such as Microsoft Office. Sufficient understanding of cybersecurity issues to coordinate with IT specialists to meet Select Agent information security standards. (Required)
  • Demonstrated excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to independently complete multiple duties with competing deadlines, and ability to work independently and to prioritize work. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse cross-section of the campus community. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, succinctly, and maintain cooperative working relationships with administrative personnel, investigators, other institutions, external organizations, campus personnel, faculty, students, staff members and the public representing UCLA, to the UC system and nationally. (Preferred)
  • Demonstrated ability to function as a team leader; ability to make strategic decisions, originate procedures and generate alternatives. (Required)
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex and specialized scientific/medical information, process as information is received, reach logical conclusions and formulate plan of action. (Required)
  • Detailed skill/experience in modifying and preparing laboratory protocols consistent with regulatory requirements as appropriate. Working knowledge of procedures for establishment and maintenance of confidential files consistent with the appropriate governing policy/law (e.g. HIPAA, etc). Ability to effectively interpret and incorporate federal, state and University policies and their underlying principles within laboratory, non-laboratory, and healthcare work environments. (Required)
  • Ability to respond to emergencies after normal work hours, weekends and holidays. Continued employment contingent upon satisfactory completion of Select Agent background check, including American citizenship or citizenship of non-sensitive country as defined by Select Agent guidelines. Ability to undergo and pass health and suitability assessments for high containment/Select Agent access. (Required)

  • Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

  • Bachelor's Degree In microbiology, virology or bacteriology and / or equivalent experience / training (Required)
  • Master's Degree In microbiology, virology or bacteriology and / or equivalent experience / training (Preferred) Or
  • PhD In microbiology, virology or bacteriology and / or equivalent experience / training (Preferred)
  • Must possess, upon hire, and maintain a valid CA noncommercial Class C License in accordance with the California (CA) Department of Motor Vehicles. (Required)

  • Special Conditions for Employment

  • Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
  • Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
  • Pre-Placement Physical: Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory physical examination.
  • Hepatitis Test: Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory physical examination (including Hepatitis A testing/immunization).
  • TB Test: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory TB test.
  • Ability to respond to emergencies after normal work hours, weekends and holidays. (Required)
  • Continued employment contingent upon satisfactory completion of Select Agent background check, including American citizenship or citizenship of non- sensitive country as defined by Select Agent guidelines. (Required)
  • Ability to undergo and pass health and suitability assessments for high containment/Select Agent access. (Required)

  • Schedule

    8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., variable as needed
    Union/Policy Covered

    99-Policy Covered
    Complete Position Description

    https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Environmental Health and Safety Specialist 4 (TBD_941198)
    The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy:https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction

     

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