Lead Shellfish Biotoxin Chemist (Chem 3) DOH8925

State of Washington•King County - Shoreline, WA

14h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline, WA. The salary range listed reflects the 2% general wage increase scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. As the Lead Shellfish Biotoxin Chemist, you will lead laboratory testing that helps protect people from exposure to harmful toxins and contaminants in shellfish harvested from Washington waters. This role serves as the technical lead for the Biotoxin Laboratory within the Public Health Laboratories, overseeing the analysis of shellfish samples, maintaining laboratory quality systems, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. You will coordinate daily laboratory operations, provide technical leadership to chemists and laboratory technicians, and perform complex chemical analyses using advanced instrumentation, including HPLC, HPLC-MS/MS, and ICP-MS. You will also oversee quality assurance activities, troubleshoot analytical and operational challenges, validate laboratory methods, review and approve analytical results, and maintain laboratory procedures and documentation. The work performed in this role directly supports Washington's shellfish safety monitoring system. Laboratory results are used by public health and regulatory partners to make decisions that prevent the harvest and distribution of toxic shellfish, helping protect consumers in Washington and wherever Washington-grown shellfish products are distributed.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of laboratory experience performing analytical chemistry or environmental laboratory testing using advanced laboratory instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, or ICP-MS.
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, the physical sciences, or a related laboratory science with a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours or forty-five (45) quarter hours of college level chemistry; AND four (4) years of laboratory experience performing analytical chemistry or environmental laboratory testing using advanced laboratory instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, or ICP-MS.
A Master’s degree in a field listed in option 2 AND three (3) years of experience listed in option 2
A PhD in a field listed in option 2 AND two (2) years of experience as listed in option 2.
Experience performing analytical chemistry testing in a regulated laboratory environment.
Experience operating and troubleshooting analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS/MS, or ICP-MS.
Experience reviewing laboratory analytical and quality control data.
Knowledge of laboratory quality assurance, quality control, and safety practices.
Skilled in developing and following laboratory standard operating procedures.
Ability to communicate technical laboratory information clearly and effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing shellfish biotoxin testing or environmental contaminant testing.
Experience working in a public health laboratory.
Experience with method validation, verification, or assay development.
Experience supporting laboratory accreditation or regulatory inspections.
Experience leading laboratory workflow or serving as a technical lead.
Experience performing proficiency testing and maintaining laboratory quality systems.
Experience preparing technical reports, grant materials, or scientific documentation.
Knowledge of shellfish sanitation programs, food safety testing, or environmental monitoring programs.
Experience using laboratory information management systems or laboratory sample tracking databases.
Advanced proficiency in troubleshooting analytical instrumentation and resolving complex laboratory issues.

Responsibilities

Lead shellfish biotoxin testing operations and coordinate daily laboratory workflow for ASP, DSP, and PSP toxin analyses.
Perform and oversee complex chemical analyses using HPLC, HPLC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, and biological testing methods.
Provide technical leadership, training, and consultation to laboratory staff on analytical methods, instrumentation, and laboratory practices.
Monitor laboratory quality systems, review analytical results, verify quality control standards, and ensure compliance with FDA, NSSP, and PHL laboratory accreditation requirements.
Troubleshoot analytical, instrumentation, and workflow issues and implement corrective actions to maintain laboratory performance and reliability.
Develop, validate, and improve laboratory methods, instrumentation, and testing processes to support operational effectiveness and regulatory requirements.
Write, review, and maintain standard operating procedures and technical documentation for laboratory methods and quality processes.
Collaborate with public health programs, regulatory agencies, Tribal partners, and other stakeholders regarding testing schedules, sample issues, laboratory findings, and technical matters.