Laboratory Safety Officer at Albany College of Pharmacy – Albany, New York

Position Summary:

The Laboratory Safety Officer provides centralized management of laboratory safety, biosafety, and chemical hygiene activities across instructional and research laboratories. This role primarily supports BSL-1 and BSL-2 instructional and research laboratories at the institution. This position also ensures that safety documentation, training records, and operational safety processes are organized, current, and consistently implemented.

The position serves as the primary operational hub for laboratory safety programs, including training tracking, hazard communication, incident reporting, and coordination with external vendors. The role emphasizes execution, documentation, and communication, operating within established institutional policies and external regulatory frameworks without independent authority to determine regulatory compliance. All programmatic elements are implemented in coordination with the Institutional Lab Safety and Biosafety Committee (ILS&BSC) and external environmental health and safety consultants, as appropriate. The Laboratory Safety Officer reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Major Duties & Responsibilities:

Laboratory Safety Program Management

• Serve as the central coordinator for laboratory safety programs, including:
  • Chemical hygiene and laboratory safety practices
  • Biosafety documentation and processes
  • Compressed gas safety tracking and documentation
  • Coordinating the waste management program with external vendors
  • Coordinating the Annual Lab Safety Inspections
• Maintain and organize laboratory safety documentation, ensuring all materials are current, accessible, and aligned with institutional policies
• Coordinate updates to laboratory SOP repositories, safety binders, and shared documentation systems

Training Coordination and Compliance Tracking

• Coordinate and track completion of required safety training programs, including CITI and other institutional platforms
• Maintain centralized training records and monitor renewal timelines
• Communicate training requirements, gaps, and compliance status to PIs, lab coordinators, and leadership
• Work with ORSP and ILS&BSC to align training, tracking, and reporting processes

Incident Reporting and Response Coordination

• Serve as the central point of coordination for laboratory incident and accident reporting
• Maintain and manage incident/accident report forms and documentation
• Ensure timely routing of reports to appropriate institutional offices (ILS&BSC, HR, Public Safety)
• Track incident trends and support follow-up documentation and corrective action tracking

Administration of the Biosafety Program and Chemical Hygiene Plan

• Serve as the operational lead supporting the institution’s Biosafety and Chemical Hygiene programs, reporting directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and in coordination with external consultants and the Institutional Lab Safety & Biosafety Committee.

• Coordinate post-award biosafety compliance activities with ORSP, including tracking protocol approvals, renewals, and amendments, and ensuring alignment with institutional biosafety requirements
• Monitor research activities for potential biosafety or dual use considerations and coordinate timely referral to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and other appropriate oversight bodies when review is required

• Coordinate with external vendors and consultants (e.g., ChemCept, Colden Corporation, Biohazard waste vendors, environmental health and safety consultants) to support:
  • Chemical inventory management and SDS access
  • Regulated medical waste and sharps disposal
  • Laboratory safety services and inspections
• Maintain centralized records related to chemical inventories, SDS documentation, and waste disposal logs
• Assist faculty and laboratory staff in accessing and utilizing safety systems and documentation

Laboratory Operations and Safety Monitoring

• Support preparation for and follow-up on laboratory safety inspections, including tracking corrective actions
• Monitor laboratory environments for visible safety concerns, including:
  • Chemical labeling and storage
  • Compressed gas cylinder handling and storage
  • Availability and condition of PPE and safety equipment
• Identify and escalate concerns to ILS&BSC, external consultants, or institutional leadership as appropriate

Laboratory Equipment and Facilities Coordination

• Assist in coordinating maintenance, tracking, and certification of laboratory safety equipment (e.g., fume hoods, biosafety cabinets)
• Support tracking and coordination of core laboratory equipment maintenance and service contracts
• Maintain records related to safety equipment inspections and certifications

Communication and Coordination

• Serve as a liaison between ILS&BSC, faculty, lab staff, Human Resources, and external vendors
• Ensure consistent communication of safety expectations, processes, and documentation requirements
• Identify gaps in documentation, training, or safety practices and escalate appropriately

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping
• Ability to recognize and appropriately escalate safety and compliance risks
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners
• Proficiency in spreadsheets, databases, and document management systems

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (e.g., Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, or related field)
• Experience working in a laboratory environment (academic, clinical, or research)
• Strong organizational, documentation, and coordination skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work across departments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, biosafety, and chemical safety principles
• Experience with training platforms such as CITI or similar systems
• Experience coordinating with external vendors or service providers
• Exposure to laboratory inspections, SOPs, or compliance documentation
• Willingness to complete relevant laboratory safety, biosafety, and hazard communication trainings and pursue continuing education in environmental health and safety practices.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Please note that this posting is not all-inclusive of the job responsibilities or qualifications of the position. The essential functions of the job may or may not have been fully described for purposes of ADA reasonable accommodation. All accommodation requests will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions including exposure to bio-hazard chemicals and harmful agents. Proper safety measures, such as lab coats, gloves and other personal protective equipment will be necessary.

Benefits:

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental and vision benefits, free life insurance and disability programs, tuition assistance programs, retirement plan with employer match and contribution, and generous time off including 20 paid holidays plus paid sick and vacation time. Additional perks include wellness rewards, free gym access, free parking, identity theft protection and many others. Please note, benefits and benefits eligibility can vary by position, and exclusions may apply for some roles.

ACPHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any protected class of job applicant or employee in our hiring and employment practices.