Parasitology Laboratory Manager and Quality Technician

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

3d•$57,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Parasitology Laboratory Manager and Quality Technician is an in-person administrative professional position at the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CSU VDL) in Fort Collins, Colorado. The position serves in both the Parasitology Laboratory Manager and Quality Technician roles, working independently across the Parasitology and Quality sections to ensure operational and testing excellence. It is full-time, with a schedule based on section needs. After-hours, weekend, on-call, holiday, and significant overtime work may be required based on caseload, urgent testing, emergency disease response, or other important diagnostic efforts. The position is designated as essential and may need to report without delay during some weather closures and emergencies. In-state and out-of-state travel is required for branch laboratory quality services, meetings, training, outbreak testing, and other laboratory events. The role manages Parasitology section staff and operations, oversees diagnostic testing and quality control, and contributes technical work to the VDL Quality team. It conducts routine and specialized parasitology assays and other advanced diagnostic assays, and ensures accurate reporting of client results and timely turnaround. The position also supports exceptional client service, regulatory compliance, audits, proficiency testing, and response to disease outbreaks. The employee supervises a 1.0 FTE administrative professional position and student and non-student hourly employees as needed. Employment is contingent on a pre-employment background check and requires legal authorization to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is unavailable. A valid driver’s license must be held or obtained by the employment start date and maintained during employment. The role involves exposure to hazardous and/or zoonotic materials, may require rabies vaccination and maintenance of protective titers, and requires safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or a related science field.
At least 1 year of experience performing diagnostic assays or related testing work.
At least 1 year of experience leading a team, managing projects, or related experience.
Valid driver’s license by the employment start date and maintained in good standing throughout employment.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
Ability to safely lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to meet essential-service reporting requirements, including possible after-hours, weekend, holiday, on-call, emergency, and overtime work.
Ability to travel as required.
Ability to work with, handle, or be exposed to hazardous and/or zoonotic materials.
May be required to receive rabies vaccination upon hire and maintain protective titers.

Nice To Haves

At least 1 year of experience with veterinary laboratory quality assurance/quality control programs is highly preferred.
Demonstrated advanced knowledge of veterinary-specific parasitology laboratory diagnostic methodologies is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Work independently and reliably in the Parasitology and Quality sections to support VDL operations and testing excellence.
Ensure diagnostic testing is accurate, follows applicable quality and testing procedures, and is updated to reflect diagnostic test advancements.
Ensure client results are accurately reported and turnaround times are met.
Manage Parasitology laboratory staff, including training and mentoring, organizing schedules, providing performance feedback, and addressing staff issues and conflicts.
Serve on the Quality team and perform technical quality work, including writing and reviewing procedures, worksheets, and work instructions; calibrating and verifying equipment; interpreting quality standards; documenting and investigating departures from the quality system; and performing internal audits.
Manage Parasitology laboratory quality control and support strong performance in audits and proficiency testing.
Ensure departures from the quality system are documented and appropriately managed.
Model positive work performance and practices, and ensure staff complete testing and other tasks promptly and minimize non-work-related activities.
Provide client service, minimize operational and testing issues, and appropriately resolve client complaints.
Conduct diagnostic assays, including sample preparation, interpretation, and reporting of routine and specialized parasitology assays and other advanced diagnostic assays.
Ensure Parasitology personnel comply with VDL, VHS, CVMBS, CSU, state and national policies, procedures, and other regulatory requirements.
Report as required for essential services, weather closures, holidays, emergency disease outbreaks, and important diagnostic projects; travel to provide training or assist other laboratories.
Perform other duties as assigned.