Job Description

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) seeks an experienced professional to serve as Security and Life Safety Coordinator for the State Public Health Laboratory. This role i s responsible for a comprehensive security and life safety program serving a range of public health programming consisting of food protection, infectious disease response, public health laboratories including BioSafety Level (BSL) III laboratories that test highly infectious agents. These programs are highly regulated and operate under specific safety and security protocols. The Security and Life Safety Coordinator will oversee a staff of Campus Police Officers and assure security, including contracts, for this 24/7 secure operation.

Learn more about what it\'s like to work at the State Public Health Lab .

Please note : This position is expected to report to the office five (5) days per week.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Develops, maintains and implements standard operating procedures (SOP) in regard to campus safety and security.
• Coordinates all security activity, including floor access, with the designated MDPH Assistant Responsible Official (ARO).
• Responds to, documents and reports security incidents according to established protocol.
• Assures appropriate and timely notification to leadership, including the Laboratory Director and Principle Investigators associated with labs where incidents occur.
• Collaborates with outside agencies and partners, such as FBI, Homeland Security, Mass State Police and CDC.
• Reviews and analyzes security and safety data and reports. Engages MDPH management regarding security and safety incidents.
• Coordinates with facility and laboratory safety and security staff to provide guidance and training to staff and visitors.
• Trains Campus Police Officers and security contractors on safety and security procedures with emphasis on laboratory operations and providing security in a BSL III environment.
• Monitors employee and visitor identification for building access and oversees visitor security screening.
• Monitors and maintains camera security systems and recordings.
• Coordinates access approval of outside visitors to any restricted security laboratory areas with the Laboratory Director in advance of visits.
• Oversees facility access for contractors working on the campus. Oversight of coordinators approvals and contractor identification with the MDPH Security Manager.
• Responds with security measures to weather, fire, and HVAC alarms that impact facility operations.
• Ensures appropriate training, and provides supervision, scheduling and oversight for Campus Police Sergeant, Officers and contracted security staff.
• Coordinates security measures with MDPH programmatic staff regarding visitors attending conferences, meetings, workshops, training courses held during the day, or attendees at conferences and meeting held in the evening or on weekends.
• Acts as Incident Commander in life safety situations, such as evacuation drills.
• Assures that safety and security equipment and systems are operating and makes recommendations regarding security equipment purchases.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to gather information by examining records and documents and by questioning individuals.
• Capacity to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc., governing assigned unit activities.
• Competency to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates\' training needs and providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.
• Capability to deal tactfully with others.
• Ability to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.
• Skill to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Talent to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of state government facilities management policies.
• Knowledge of Life safety policies and procedures.
• Capacity to master new technologies and apply to daily work.
• Prior security or law enforcement experience.
• CPR Certified, First Aid or First Responder training.
• Able to solve problems and deconflict situations and information.
• Ability to interact with campus community in a positive and professional manner regardless of the situation or demeanor of others.
• Talent for recognizing the cultural diversity of the campus community and ensure sensitive and equitable treatment of all who work and visit the campus.

About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):

The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).

Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.

The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: Department of Public Health Mass.gov

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division\'s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth\'s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- Ext.

Qualifications:
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