Certification Officer (Principal Scientist) - CL612

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Richmond, VA

9d • $86,000 - $99,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) [https://dgs.virginia.gov/] is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Laboratory Certification Officer/Principal Scientist in the Laboratory Certification Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply, environment, and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups; the Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s environmental laboratory accreditation program.

The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is responsible for certifying and accrediting laboratories to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations meant to protect the public's health and the environment. DCLS conducts on-site evaluations on a routine basis in accordance with Virginia's regulations to ensure the laboratories have the appropriate quality systems and analytical procedures in place in to produce accurate, reliable, and defensible test results.

As a Laboratory Certification Officer, job duties include, but are not limited to:

Serves as a Certification Officer in the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services
Performs assessments of commercial and non-commercial environmental laboratories providing service to the Commonwealth of Virginia to evaluate compliance with quality control and testing practices under regulations 1VAC30-41, 1VAC30-45, and 1VAC30-46.
Reviews the testing, documentation, quality control, and other quality system components performed by others, and evaluates routine and complex data samples and documentation to discern quality system compliance as specified in regulations.
Serves in a lead capacity as a public representative of DCLS by working independently or in teams with peers to inspect and assess laboratories.
Serves as a technical specialist on the regulatory requirements of 1VAC30-41, 1VAC30-45, and 1VAC30-46 and as a technical specialist on specific scientific disciplines or technologies, as assigned. Disciplines include microbiology, inorganic chemistry, metals, organic chemistry, oxygen demand, radiochemistry, asbestos, and Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing (WETT).
Provides technical information to laboratories seeking assistance with compliance with quality system and method specifications.
Independently plans, prioritizes, organizes, schedules, and implements assessment and regulatory activities in a fast-paced environment to meet specific regulation-defined timelines and program-specific timelines under general supervision from the Group Manager and Chief of Laboratory Operations.

This position will be in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

This position requires a self‑motivated individual able to travel frequently throughout the Commonwealth, including overnight trips, with occasional out of state travel. The role includes a 12–18 month training period that requires the individual report on‑site in Richmond, Virginia. Upon successful completion of training, demonstrated independent work proficiency, and Virginia residency, the employee may be considered for fully remote work. Remote workers may still be required to report to the Richmond office as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in scientific discipline or have commensurate experience acquired by having performed verified assessments of environmental laboratories. Certification as a TNI Assessor is required within first year (successful completion of the Basic Assessor course as well as at least one technical specialty course) Regulatory Citations: 2016 TNI V2M3 4.2.3, 1VAC30-46-200 A
• Laboratory experience using principles and procedures in Chemistry and/or Microbiology.
• Advanced experience in quality assurance principles and practices in a laboratory or technical environment.
• Demonstrated ability reviewing and analyzing the work of others to determine compliance with specified requirements.
• Ability to independently manage and coordinate multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues to resolve problems and achieve shared objectives.
• Proficiency in computer software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and email (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Strong written and verbal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate technical information in a clear, concise, and professional manner, to include writing reports for diverse audiences.
• Valid Virginia Driver's License (or ability to obtain within 60 days of employment).

Nice To Haves

• Thorough knowledge of applicable regulations and/or manuals or standards incorporated by reference into the Virginia regulations (e.g., 1VAC30-41, 1VAC30-45, 1VAC30-46, EPA Drinking Water Manual, TNI Standard, ISO 17025).
• Work experience in the testing of environmental samples for compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and/or Clean Air Act.
• Work experience related to environmental or drinking water microbiology testing.
• Work experience related to environmental or drinking water inorganic chemistry and/or metals testing.
• Work experience related to environmental or drinking water organic chemistry testing.
• Work experience related to environmental oxygen demand testing (e.g., Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)) or physical testing (e.g., Gravimetric Testing such as Residue-Non-Filterable/Total Suspended Solids (TSS)).
• Work experience related to environmental radiochemistry testing, asbestos testing, or Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing (WETT).
• Work experience reviewing and analyzing procedures, records, and generated data for compliance with method and certification requirements.
• Subject matter expertise in one or more of the following technical disciplines, including experience advising on technical matters: microbiology, inorganic chemistry, metals, organic chemistry, oxygen demand, radiochemistry, asbestos, Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing (WETT).
• Advanced skills creating and using spreadsheets to manage complex data sets or solve problems.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a Certification Officer in the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services
• Performs assessments of commercial and non-commercial environmental laboratories providing service to the Commonwealth of Virginia to evaluate compliance with quality control and testing practices under regulations 1VAC30-41, 1VAC30-45, and 1VAC30-46.
• Reviews the testing, documentation, quality control, and other quality system components performed by others, and evaluates routine and complex data samples and documentation to discern quality system compliance as specified in regulations.
• Serves in a lead capacity as a public representative of DCLS by working independently or in teams with peers to inspect and assess laboratories.
• Serves as a technical specialist on the regulatory requirements of 1VAC30-41, 1VAC30-45, and 1VAC30-46 and as a technical specialist on specific scientific disciplines or technologies, as assigned. Disciplines include microbiology, inorganic chemistry, metals, organic chemistry, oxygen demand, radiochemistry, asbestos, and Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing (WETT).
• Provides technical information to laboratories seeking assistance with compliance with quality system and method specifications.
• Independently plans, prioritizes, organizes, schedules, and implements assessment and regulatory activities in a fast-paced environment to meet specific regulation-defined timelines and program-specific timelines under general supervision from the Group Manager and Chief of Laboratory Operations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees