Biodefense Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BACKGROUND

The National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) is a unique facility located at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD, dedicated to defending the nation against biological threats. Established in response to biodefense gaps identified after the Amerithrax attacks of 2001, NBACC has been operated by the Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) since 2006.

NBACC supports DHS and national biodefense preparedness planning, response, emerging threat characterization, and bioforensic analyses. It addresses critical scientific knowledge gaps regarding biological agents to protect the public and defend the nation against biological threats—whether naturally occurring, accidental, or deliberate. NBACC also provides federal law enforcement with scientific data to support the investigation and attribution of biocrimes and the protection of the U.S. bioeconomy.

NBACC is comprised of two centers:

• National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC): Conducts technical analyses to support federal law enforcement investigations.
• National Biological Threat Characterization Center (NBTCC): Conducts experiments and studies to gather data for understanding biological vulnerabilities and hazards.

Together, these centers serve as a national resource for assessing risks posed by biological agents and emerging technologies, informing biodefense policy and response planning, and supporting the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of biocrimes and bioterrorism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads preventive maintenance, inspection, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, and performance checks of sterilization equipment at intervals suggested by the manufacturer and/or NBACC management.
• Ensures all records and documentation on assigned tasks are maintained in our electronic management systems.
• Assists senior technicians during emergency repairs, such as responding to specialty equipment or system failures or containment breaches.
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for specialty facility systems or processes (e.g., BAS, Autoclaves, Equipment Certifications, or Electrical Systems).
• Applies subject matter expertise to specialty system processes, training and maintenance activities to identify opportunities to improve and takes appropriate action to address.
• Independently performs repairs, component replacements, and upgrades on specialty and critical systems, including field devices such as actuators, control valves, sensors, low voltage control wiring, and control modules, as directed by senior staff or vendor specifications.
• Leads on the job training (OJT) and mentorship of junior staff on specialty system maintenance tasks, operation and safety protocols.
• Leads root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities as the SME for specialty system failures or deviations by providing technical information, data, and recommendations.
• Monitors specialty facility systems and industrial controls (e.g., BAS alarms, security system status, autoclave cycles, electrical system indicators) and responds to alarms or deviations as part of the on-call program, stabilizing conditions and escalating issues to senior staff as appropriate.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides general mechanical repairs and renovations to various building systems.
• Completes assigned utility training programs and adheres to NBACC procedures and OSHA related safety training.
• Provides support for planned and unplanned maintenance issues and Facility upgrades.
• Takes the lead on performing preventative maintenance on critical equipment.
• Contributes to the development and improvement of maintenance procedures, SOPs, and system documentation by identifying recurring issues, data trends, or opportunities to improve reliability, compliance, and efficiency; provides input that may be incorporated into formal procedures by senior staff.
• Completes tasks assigned through the Asset Management/CMMS system, ensuring accurate and timely entry of labor, materials, system conditions, and corrective actions to support regulatory compliance and reliable system history.
• Exhibits teamwork, clear communication, openness to ideas, and patience with colleagues, working collaboratively with FMS and FSS staff, EHS/Biosafety, Security, and laboratory personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to multitask, maintain composure under pressure, and utilize effective time management skills to prioritize tasks in a complex, high containment environment.
• Is a self-starter driven by an eagerness to succeed, maintaining flexibility, adapting to change productively, learning new concepts, and using critical thinking to resolve complex technical problems.
• Maintains appropriate records.
• Performs other duties as assigned/authorized.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School graduate (or equivalent) with a minimum of eight or more years of experience related to commercial and industrial electromechanical control systems.

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered as substitution for the specific requirements outlined above.

• Specialty knowledge in maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, and repairing sterilization equipment, preferably in biocontainment applications.
• Experience in high containment laboratory facilities is preferred.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of OSHA safety regulations. OSHA 10 or 30 certification preferred.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, including proficiency in using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment for maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of electromechanical controls, autoclaves, plumbing, and electrical equipment.
• Competent with methods, tools, and equipment used in the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of sterilization equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics for electrical, plumbing, and control systems.
• Proficient computer skills (e.g., electronic forms, office applications, web-based applications).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on critical systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of Good Documentation Practices (GDP), organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to mentor and train junior staff in areas of subject matter expertise and general processes.
• Must be willing to obtain and maintain qualifications required to perform maintenance activities in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze workflows allowing for identification of areas where safety concerns need to be mitigated and development of streamlined methods to support completion of tasks in a safe/secure manner.
• Ability to lift, move, and transport up to 50 pounds.
• Skills and experience to support laboratory activities in accordance with NBACC’s management system (e.g., ISO).

SECURITY/ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen, able to obtain and maintain an interim secret clearance leading to a top-secret clearance and suitability for DHS.
• Participation in the Immunization Program, Medical Surveillance Program, and/or enrollment in the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) is required.
• Required to participate in NBACC’s alternative work schedule and/or on-call schedule, depending on business needs.