Biosecurity Monitors

Biosecurity monitors in the agricultural industry spend a lot of time outdoors on farms, which can be hot and dusty. Others perform monitoring activities for invasive species in wetlands, forests, and other natural areas. During their work, they may be exposed to extreme weather, encounter poisonous snakes and other potentially harmful animals, and face other environmental challenges. Biosecurity monitors who work at hospitals, laboratories, medical research facilities typically work indoors in climate-controlled areas. Those that work at airports, ports, and other places of entry into the United States work both indoors and outdoors.

In some work settings, biosecurity monitors are at risk of exposure to viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other toxins—as well as pesticides. They wear personal protective equipment and undergo disinfection, decontamination, and sterilization procedures to reduce the risk of exposure to these agents.