AAT Engineering Technician

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a AAT Engineering Technicican to perform research and/or development in collaboration with others for projects. Provides laboratory and technical support to senior technical and professional staff. Solves problems of moderate complexity in carrying out research projects in a clinical or laboratory environment. The Contractor shall provide mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering support by performing aerosol exposures and facilitating the design and maintenance of aerosol exposure equipment. The Contractor shall test and assist with the design of new equipment, support the execution scientific studies, analyze data, and maintain AAT laboratory space and equipment.

This position will be in support of United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) Technical Research Support Services located at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD. USAMRIID works closely with other U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) organizations, Department of Defense (DoD), the Interagency (including Interagency Laboratories), and private companies to accomplish its mission of protecting the Warfighter from biological threats and being prepared to investigate disease outbreaks or threats to public health. This includes conducting Research, Development, Testing, & Evaluation (RDTE) of medical countermeasure against biological threats and the safety, quality assurance, project management, and core support required for these research activities.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Contractor shall generate, characterize and sample biological aerosols to support pathogenesis and medical countermeasure studies against biothreat agents. This shall include animal plethysmography, aerosol supervision and assisting. All laboratory tasks shall be conducted under the guidance of a study PI and if applicable, under the authority of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and in compliance with GLP standards. Studies shall be conducted in a BSL-2, BSL-3, or BSL-4 laboratory environment. Workload is approximately 75 - 120 aerosol exposures per year.
• Contractor shall assist with SOP writing, revision and review to meet GLP requirements. Workload is typically ten (10) to fifteen (15) SOPs per year.
• Contractor shall assemble, maintain and troubleshoot aerosol systems. Aerosol systems shall be assembled, tested and the testing documented in a non-containment shop area. A corresponding equipment notebook is required for each assembled system and shall be provided to AAT leadership for review prior to moving the system into containment. Aerosol systems shall be moved into the containment Class III biosafety cabinet, tested and the testing documented. All equipment maintenance shall be recorded and documented IAW USAMRIID SOPs and in compliance with GLP standards. The Contractor shall calibrate, validate, and certify approximately eight (8) to twelve (12) systems per year.
• Contractor shall perform and supervise biological decontamination procedures for Class III biosafety cabinets post-aerosol. Typical workload is approximately 75 - 120 decontaminations per year.
• Contractor shall certify and maintain Class III biosafety cabinets IAW USAMRIID SOPs and GLP standards. Typical workload is approximately twelve (12) to fifteen (15) Class III biosafety cabinets and transporters.
• Contractor shall coordinate and collaborate with AAT leadership and personnel to assist in the development and continuation of the AAT technical training program. Contactor shall demonstrate proficiency in required tasks, and once qualified by AAT leadership, Contractor shall assist in the training of other technical staff as assigned.
• Contractor shall assist with entering of research data into appropriate formats and the development of charts and graphs as required. Contractor shall assist in the preparation of manuscripts or posters relating to their research efforts. If determined by the government, the Contractor shall present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require local or CONUS travel. Contractor shall present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
• Contractor shall complete annual GLP training and maintain records at that standard IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs.
• Contractor shall complete required training as assigned in RIID-Train and by AAT Leadership. Contractor shall maintain training records IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs. If determined by the government, the Contractor shall attend training with external sources, which may require local or CONUS travel.
• Contractor shall timely report observations of safety or standard operating procedure non-compliance IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs, guidance and regulations.
• Contractor shall cross-train and assist with laboratory technician support as needed. This includes but is not limited to execution of bacterial and viral assays, sample processing, aliquoting and inactivation, providing animal clinical pathology support, and assisting with telemetry operations. Attendance is required at scheduled trainings provided by qualified AAT staff.
• Contractor shall perform weekly/monthly details of Building 1412 BSL-3 change rooms, showers, and assigned containment areas. Details include cleaning, restocking, proper disposal of expired materials, and ensuring equipment and safety requirements are completed and documented IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs. Contractor shall provide completed record of weekly details to AAT Leadership by the end of each week.
• Contractor shall perform weekly/monthly details of Building 1412 BSL-2 assigned laboratories. Details include cleaning, restocking, proper disposal of expired materials, and ensuring equipment and safety requirements are completed and documented IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs.
• Contractor shall promptly notify TPOC and AAT Leadership if restricted from containment and provide anticipated length of restriction for scheduling purposes.
• CS-PRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.
• BPRP enrollment is required and shall be held and maintained IAW the provisions in this contract and all applicable regulations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Assigned Lead: May recommend the following: employee hiring, disciplinary action, and starting salaries; provide input on employee performance evaluations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years' of relevant aerosol experience.
• Have a working knowledge of aerosol generating platforms and ancillary equipment to include aerodynamic particle sizers, aerosol nebulizers, aerosol collection devices, and various plenums.
• Shall assist in the training of other technical staff as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of complex laboratory techniques.
• Ability to follow basic instructions.
• Good communication and analytical skills.
• US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a T3/Secret Clearance and BRPR, CPRP, and/or CSPRP, including background check and drug screening.

Physical Capabilities

• Maintain sufficient health to meet enrollment criteria and maintain eligibility in USAMRIID's Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP), Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (CPRP) and/or Controlled Substances Personnel Reliability Program (CSPRP).
• Current on routine adult immunizations or proof of active immunity against HBV, MMR, Influenza, COVID-19, Tdap. Employees working directly with patients or research participants must receive a negative TB test.
• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 10 lbs.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a clinical or laboratory setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $50,100 - $90,900. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.