Laboratory and Scientific Director

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Work Unit: State public health laboratories are foundational to protecting the health of the population. Only one of these highly specialized labs exist per state, creating a national network that works closely with the EPA, CDC, FDA and other federal agencies. The Colorado Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) protects the health of the population by identifying known and novel infectious diseases and outbreaks; detecting environmental contaminants in food products, natural medicine, and drinking and recreational waters; responding to bioterrorism and chemical threats; certifying every instrument in the state used for evidential breath alcohol testing; testing every infant born in Colorado and Wyoming to identify treatable genetic-related conditions at birth; performing audit functions and certification of outside laboratories; and conducting surveillance and public health research. The CPHL conducts around 3 million tests annually and works in partnership with local public health agencies to investigate and monitor public health events. The CPHL is a division within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), known internally as the Laboratory Services Division.

What You Will Do: The Laboratory and Scientific Director is in the senior executive services class and appointed by CDPHE’s executive director. The position serves as the leader of the laboratory, providing regulatory, scientific and operational direction and oversight of nearly 150 staff and an annual budget of $45 million. The director is supported by four deputies and numerous managers. The director sets the vision and performance goals, in alignment with CDPHE’s Senior Executive Team. The director fosters an environment that integrates strategic, scientific and systems thinking, plus prioritizes strict attention to quality and compliance, ensuring the validity and dependability of laboratory results, and a continuous improvement mindset. The director provides laboratory personnel with the direction, management and professional development necessary to ensure that laboratory programs effectively meet their statutory and regulatory obligations, and are effective and scientifically rigorous, including Public Health and Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Chemistry, Newborn Screening, Evidential Breath Alcohol Testing, Laboratory Certification, Quality Assurance, Biosafety, Cannabis and Natural Medicine Sciences, Gamete Bank and Fertility Clinics, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Laboratory Data Systems. The laboratory director also serves as the director for CLIA High Complexity Testing. The position will also oversee and support the laboratory’s ongoing modernization and quality improvement efforts, working in concert with the department’s Senior Executive Team and quality improvement consultants, providing leadership and scientific consultation, and implementing change management strategies with staff in order to improve laboratory services. The position regularly identifies and communicates issues, resource needs and other challenges to the department’s Senior Executive Team (SES), including Chief Medical Officer, Executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, and others, assuring that problems are addressed swiftly and effectively. The position works across CDPHE to collaborate with other divisions for testing services and coordinated emergency response.

Requirements

• Must meet minimum requirements for a CLIA high complexity laboratory director: MD, DO, or DPM degree with pathology board certification OR 2+ years experience directing high-complexity tests and 20 CE credit hours in relevant laboratory practice OR PhD /doctoral degree in chemical, biological, or laboratory science and board-certified by an HHS-approved board and 2 years experience directing and 2 years supervising high complexity testing and 20 CE credit hours in relevant laboratory practice
• Must have two or more years of experience in an executive role at a laboratory, managing staff, and a budget.
• Substantiate minimum qualifications when filling out the Work Experience section of the application. “See resume” will not be accepted.
• Part-time work will be prorated when determining whether minimum qualifications are met.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working as an executive in a similarly sized laboratory.
• Experience implementing quality assurance systems and assuring compliance with regulatory requirements
• Excellent performance management skills.
• Dynamic leadership skills and demonstrated record of producing results.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Oversight of the Laboratory
• Quality Assurance/Environmental Health & Safety/State and Federal Regulatory Compliance
• Operational Oversight of the Laboratory
• Human Resources Management
• Laboratory Modernization and Process Improvement
• Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives and Public Affairs
• Emergency Preparedness and Response/Laboratory Logistics

Benefits

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Flexible working arrangements
• Retirement (PERA options), Medical and dental health plans
• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree