High Containment Director

EHS SPEC 4 (000358)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_941198

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

4/6/2026 12:54:23 PM

Date Last Edited:

4/6/2026 12:54:20 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

5000O

Organization:

ADMINISTRATIVE VICE CHANCELLOR

Division Code:

5901D

Division:

ADMINISTRATION

Department:

340100 - ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_941198

Position Description ID

253465

UC Payroll Title:

EHS SPEC 4 (000358)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

Grade 24

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

A: Manager - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40056878

Reports to Payroll Title:

EHS MGR 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40061967

Department Head Payroll Title:

EHS MGR 3

DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent establishes procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives in a broad area of work. Only the final results of work done are typically reviewed. Incumbent typically develops procedures within the limits of established policy guidelines.

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.

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)

Management of High Containment Facilities and Select Agent Operations

1. Provide technical expertise, regulatory guidance, and oversight to high containment and Select Agent/toxin projects for researchers and lab staff. Select Agents are defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as bacteria, viruses, toxins, rickettsia, and fungi that pose a potential threat to public health or welfare per 42 C.F.R. Part 73 and 9 C.F.R. Part 121. These organisms are strictly regulated. (E)

2. Develop, write, update and validate laboratory-specific policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and associated Select Agent plans and associated documentation for UCLA high containment/Select Agent facilities to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional requirements as specified by the oversight committees, such as Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), High Containment Laboratory Oversight Group (HCLOG), Animal Research Committee (ARC), and Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research Safety Oversight Committee (OSOC). (E)

3. Interact as required with high level officers and government officials in national and state regulatory agencies including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). (E)

4. The incumbent will serve as the Responsible Official (RO) or Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the Select Agent operations. (E)

5. Monitor current biosafety and biosecurity trends and regulations by reviewing technical literature, attending conferences and seminars, maintaining membership in professional organizations (e.g. American Biological Safety Association), and maintaining pertinent professional certification(s). Remain up-to-date with most current policy and regulations governing the use of Select Agents in support of UCLA's biosafety programs. (E)

6. Assist Research Investigators in obtaining the necessary permits and authorizations related to Select Agent possession, use, and transfer to ensure research activities are compliant in the current and future UCLA high containment/Select Agent facilities. (E)

7. Respond to institutional management, institutional committee, and employee requests for information on BSL3 and Select Agent practices to provide complex technical information in understandable and user-friendly terms as appropriate for the audience.

8. Serve as a contact person for all UCLA BSL3 and Select Agent facilities to coordinate a responsive, robust, and efficient administrative infrastructure. Remain on-call 24 hours/day for emergency consultations and/or responses. Formally designate the responsible person(s) when not on-call. (E)

9. Independently develop schedules, coordination, and management operations for all UCLA high-containment facilities (including Select Agent facilities), area decontamination (sterilization, disinfection, and cleaning), and periodic maintenance shutdowns to ensure that optimal performance and safety conditions are maintained.

10. Independently create processes for management oversight, directly or indirectly, of the shipping and receiving of high-containment and Select Agent materials to meet all regulatory requirements.

11. Ensure that appropriate, timely, and uniform training is provided to all UCLA high-containment research and support staff who work in this environment as required by current institutional, state, and federal regulations. Maintain records to support compliance with regulatory training requirements. (E)

12. Participate in UCLA High Containment Laboratory Oversight Group (HCLOG) and the UC Systemwide HCOLOG, and, where necessary, help coordinate the UCLA HCLOG Group and the UC Systemwide HCLOG.

13. Develop and conduct annual exercises and drills to test the program's Biosafety, Incident Response, and Security Plans in accordance with the regulations. (E)

50%

Laboratory Safety, Security and Training

1. Ensure standardization in the selection of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on the risk assessment for the UCLA high containment/Select Agent facilities to meet all Cal/OSHA, NIH, CDC, USDA, DoD, and other safety requirements for personnel working in these facilities. This includes equipment requirements, supervisor/employee responsibilities, and how to select appropriate equipment. Additionally, PPE, such as clothing and accessories, controls safety, and health hazards that cannot be eliminated through engineering and administrative controls for all applicable personnel working in or servicing these facilities. (E)

2. Manage the lab-specific Exposure Control Plans for designated high containment/Select Agent laboratories and those employees who can reasonably anticipate being exposed to potentially infectious materials while performing their job duties in laboratory settings. (E)

3. Manage all UCLA high containment/Select Agent program employee screening and vaccination programs in conjunction with Occupational Health to ensure confidential medical evaluation and follow up is immediately available for employees potentially exposed to Blood Borne Pathogens (BBPs), Aerosol Transmissible pathogens and other hazards used in high containment/Select Agent laboratories. (E)

4. Provide technical guidance to Occupational Health following exposure incident(s) to obtain input on the nature of the exposure and how to minimize impact on employees. (E)

5. Immediately report and review all safety exposure, facility failures or security incidents with management and applicable oversight committee and government agencies.  Recommend appropriate corrective action to prevent recurrence. (E)

6. Develop, implement, and lead appropriate, timely, and highly uniform high containment laboratory specific training to all users for researchers, staff, students, facilities management, O&M staff, DLAM staff, Emergency First Responders, and visitors performing research in a BSL3 Laboratory and/or using Select Agents in accordance with the UC BSL3 Training requirements.

7. Respond to emergency situations as required, including spills of chemicals and pathogens, to ensure all appropriate resources and emergency personnel are notified and/or deployed. (E)

40%

Design and Construction Technical Advise

1. Provide technical guidance and supervision to the UCLA high containment/Select Agent laboratory facilities design and construction teams at architectural, security, safety and biosafety levels to assure compliance with current policies, regulations and industry (including the UC BSL3 Design Standards, Select Agent Regulations, BMBL, 6th Edition and NIH Guidelines). (E)

2. Act as a liaison between parties involved in the UCLA high containment/Select Agent laboratory facilities project including, but not limited to: engineering and design team, security team, contractors, UCLA Capital Programs, Biosafety Officer, UCLA Facilities, and future UCLA high containment/Select Agent laboratory facilities faculty and staff. (E)

3 Conduct reviews of the UCLA high containment/Select Agent facilities, processes and equipment to ensure state-of-the-art operations are available to support current and future research projects, in collaboration with EH&S and other institutional units. (E)

4. Conduct risk assessments to identify potential risks associated with the UCLA high containment/Select Agent laboratories operation and related research work. Propose appropriate solutions for risk management and risk communication, including, but not limited to, physical security, cyber security, inventory, material transfers, suspicious persons, and provisions for cleaning/maintenance. (E)

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

Driver License

•

Must possess, upon hire, and maintain a valid CA noncommercial Class C License in accordance with the California (CA) Department of Motor Vehicles.

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF 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

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Strathmore Building, 4th Floor

Standing/Walking

X

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

X

Climbing

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 2: Position in which required tasks normally do not involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but may require performing unplanned Classification 1 tasks. In these jobs the normal work performance involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment.