Animal Research Safety and Compliance Officer

Job Description The department of Comparative Medicine has an outstanding opportunity for Animal Research Safety and Compliance Officer to join their team. About this Opportunity The Animal Research Safety and Compliance Officer (Program Operations Specialist) is to provide occupational health, workplace safety, and biosafety support for personnel within the Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) under the direction of the Senior Director of Animal Resources and Operation. The primary focus of this role is supporting personnel working within DCM-managed animal facilities; while also providing occupational health, safety, and compliance support to DCM laboratory research personnel. This position plays a key role in promoting a safe and compliant work environment by ensuring staff have access to current information, training, and guidance to minimize the risk of injury and exposure to hazardous materials, support the safe conduct of animal research, and help the department maintain compliance with applicable institutional and regulatory requirements. This role requires strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with DCM personnel, the University of Washington Environmental Health & Safety Department, the Office of Animal Welfare, and research personnel. Working closely with DCM leadership and institutional partners, the successful candidate will support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety and compliance initiatives, policies, and practices designed to reduce the potential for injury to all employees, researcher personnel, and animals within DCM-managed facilities while ensuring adherence to applicable health, safety, and animal welfare requirements. The position will also assist with the coordination and delivery of safety training and educational resources for DCM personnel and support the harmonization of safety, biosafety, occupational health, and compliance practices across DCM-managed facilities through standardized procedures, guidance, and program expectations. Key Responsibilities Operations and Program Management (35%) Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of departmental safety, biosafety, occupational health, and compliance programs in close collaboration with DCM leadership and the University of Washington Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) Develop, review, revise, maintain, and coordinate implementation of departmental SOPs, guidelines, procedural documents, emergency response procedures, and other program documentation to ensure regulatory compliance, operational consistency, and alignment across DCM-managed facilities. Coordinate occupational health enrollment and medical surveillance activities for DCM personnel. Support administration and implementation of respiratory protection, personal protective equipment (PPE), and animal allergy prevention programs. Oversee hazardous materials management activities, including maintenance of chemical inventories, accessibility of Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and compliance with chemical handling, storage, and disposal requirements. Oversee biohazardous waste management activities, including waste handling, storage, treatment, recordkeeping, and compliance with relevant regulations. Coordinate the inspection, maintenance, and certification of safety equipment and engineering controls, including biological safety cabinets, animal change stations, chemical fume hoods, safety showers, and eyewash stations. Collaborate with DCM leadership and operational staff to integrate safety and compliance considerations into facility operations and research support activities. Partner with facility managers and DCM leadership to standardize and harmonize safety, biosafety, occupational health, and compliance practices across DCM-managed facilities while accommodating facility-specific operational needs. Coordinate and actively participate in the DCM Safety Team, serve as a member of the UW Group 4 Health and Safety Committee, and participate in University committees and cross-functional project teams, as appropriate. Compliance, Risk Assessment, and Incident Management (30%) Conduct routine inspections and audits of DCM-managed animal facilities, DCM laboratories and core facilities, and associated work practices to evaluate compliance with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare requirements. Perform risk assessments for animal research and laboratory activities involving animal allergens, zoonotic diseases, biological agents, hazardous drugs, chemicals, physical hazards, and ergonomic risks. Identify hazards and recommend appropriate engineering, administrative, and PPE controls to reduce risk and promote safe work practices. Collaborate with DCM leadership, research personnel, EH&S, and institutional partners to evaluate safety and compliance concerns and recommend improvements to policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Maintain electronic tracking, documentation, and correspondence systems to monitor compliance activities, inspection findings, corrective actions, training records, and designated occupational health requirements. Support institutional inspections, audits, accreditation activities (e.g., AAALAC International), and regulatory reviews. Serve as a liaison with institutional oversight groups, including EH&S and the Office of Animal Welfare. Monitor safety performance indicators, identify trends and recurring issues, and recommend strategies to improve compliance and reduce risk. Investigate accidents, injuries, exposures, and near-miss events occurring within DCM facilities and operations and in coordination with EH&S. Conduct root-cause analyses and develop corrective and preventive action plans to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Track and verify completion of corrective actions resulting from incidents, inspections, audits, and risk assessments. Training and Education (25% ) Ass