AAT Engineering Technician

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) has a potential need for an
Aerobiology, Animal Clinical Pathology and Telemetry (AAT) Engineering Technician
to support our government customer located in
Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD
.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering support by performing aerosol exposures and facilitating the design and maintenance of aerosol exposure equipment.
• Test and assist with the design of new equipment, support the execution scientific studies, analyze data, and maintain AAT laboratory space and equipment.
• Assist in the training of other technical staff as assigned.
• 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 aerosol exposures per year.
• Assist with SOP writing, revision and review to meet GLP requirements. Workload is typically ten (10) to fifteen (15) SOPs per year.
• 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. Calibrate, validate, and certify approximately eight (8) to twelve (12) systems per year.
• Perform and supervise biological decontamination procedures for Class III biosafety cabinets post-aerosol. Typical workload is approximately decontaminations per year.
• 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.
• Coordinate and collaborate with AAT leadership and personnel to assist in the development and continuation of the AAT technical training program. Demonstrate proficiency in required tasks, and once qualified by AAT leadership, Assist in the training of other technical staff as assigned.
• Assist with entering of research data into appropriate formats and the development of charts and graphs as required. Assist in the preparation of manuscripts or posters relating to their research efforts. If determined by the government, present research findings at one scientific conference per year, which may require local or CONUS travel. Present results in written and oral format publicly and internally as requested.
• Complete annual GLP training and maintain records at that standard IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs.
• Complete required training as assigned in RIID-Train and by AAT Leadership. Maintain training records IAW all applicable regulations and USAMRIID SOPs. If determined by the government, attend training with external sources, which may require local or CONUS travel.
• Timely report observations of safety or standard operating procedure non-compliance IAW applicable USAMRIID SOPs, guidance and regulations.
• Crosstrain 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.
• 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. Provide completed record of weekly details to AAT Leadership by the end of each week.
• 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.
• Promptly notify AAT Leadership if restricted from containment and provide anticipated length of restriction for scheduling purposes.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

REQUIRED DEGREE/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:
Bachelor's degree in Biomechanical, Bioelectrical or Biochemical engineering.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Must have five (5) 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.
• Must have the ability to work in high containment laboratory environments (i.e. BSL 3/BSL4)
• Must be familiar with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines.
• Experience writing SOPs.
• Experience assembling, maintaining and troubleshooting aerosol systems.
• Experience developing and maintaining a technical training program.
• Travel may be required to attend offsite training with external sources.

REQUIRED CITIZENSHIP AND CLEARANCE:

• U.S. Citizen
• BPRP and CS-PRP enrollment required.
• Must pass NACI background check.

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is a fast-growing government service provider. Employees enjoy competitive salaries. Eligible full-time employees enjoy a 401K plan with company match; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage; tuition reimbursement; paid time off; and 11 paid holidays.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer of individuals with disabilities and veterans. We are proud to state that we do not illegally discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of any protected categories. If you are a person with a disability and you need an accommodation during the application process, please click
here
to request accommodation. We E-Verify all employees
"EOE, including Disability/Vets" OR "Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Veterans"
The Alakaina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is comprised of industry-recognized government service firms designated as Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned and 8(a) certified businesses. The Family of Companies (FOCs) includes Keaki Technologies, Laulima Government Solutions, Kūpono Government Services, and Kāpili Services, Pookela Solutions, Kīkaha Solutions, LLC, and Pololei Solutions, LLC. Alakaina Foundation activities principally benefit the youth of Hawaii through charitable efforts which includes providing innovative educational programs that combine leadership, science & technology, and environmental stewardship.

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