Principal Scientist (Trace Organics & Pesticides) - CL177

DHRM • Richmond, VA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of General Services is seeking a Principal Scientist for the Trace Organics & Pesticides Group at the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) in Richmond, Virginia. The group uses complex instrumentation to identify toxic organic compounds in air, water, and soil samples. Its results support public health, agriculture, food regulation, environmental protection, and law enforcement programs, including air-quality monitoring, drinking-water treatment, waste-discharge regulation, landfill operations, and pesticide and fertilizer oversight. Other work includes emergency-response testing and consumer-protection testing of formulations and animal remedies.

The Principal Scientist serves as a workgroup lead and technical specialist, performing complex laboratory testing and analysis and supporting the team’s production, quality, and turnaround goals. The role develops and validates methods, troubleshoots instrumentation, supports quality assurance, and provides technical consultation on analytical results. The position is based on-site in Richmond, Virginia. Occasional after-hours and weekend work may be required for emergency testing and coverage. DCLS employees are designated essential personnel and may be required to report during state-authorized closures or delays.

Requirements

• Meet the educational and work-experience requirements for an Organics Technical Manager under The NELAC Institute (TNI) Standard EL-V1M2-2016-Rev2.1, section 5.2.6.1.
• Experience serving as a team leader, including coordinating, prioritizing, and reviewing the work of others.
• Experience with laboratory method development, including validation and verification procedures.
• Experience performing and documenting interpretations of data and quality control to meet quality-assurance requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge and work-related experience with the theory and application of chemical principles.
• Skill in applying, operating, and troubleshooting complex laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices for handling chemical, microbiological, infectious, or toxic materials.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including writing reports of research findings and interpretations, providing formal technical training, and consulting with customers about specimen submission, testing, and interpretation of results.
• Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment and plan, organize, and implement independent research projects.
• Good technical skills and strong attention to detail, including following procedures, identifying errors, and problem-solving.
• Experience and skill working with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Ability to occasionally handle, push, pull, and/or move 50 or more pounds.
• Ability to work occasional after-hours and/or weekends as needed for emergency coverage and workflow.

Nice To Haves

• Experience performing liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS).
• Experience with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography, and/or sample preparation using solid-phase extraction (SPE) techniques.
• Experience with The NELAC Institute Standards and/or ISO 17025 as they pertain to certified testing.
• Experience in compliance testing and federal, state, and local requirements, regulations, or laws relating to potable and non-potable water testing, including PFAS and pesticide residue testing.
• Experience writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and/or grant applications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead and technical specialist for the workgroup, including training staff and reviewing their testing.
• Serve as the back-up Technical Manager for TNI purposes.
• Independently perform high-complexity laboratory testing and analysis accurately and efficiently, including liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and other testing.
• Ensure the team meets production, turnaround-time, quality-assurance, and objective requirements.
• Design and lead validations and verifications of new instrumentation and methodologies.
• Provide technical and troubleshooting guidance for laboratory instrumentation and test methods.
• Review and revise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Assist Lead Scientists and/or the Group Manager with grant applications, tracking grant objectives and progress, and preparing routine reports.
• Support quality-assurance efforts by monitoring group compliance with policies and ensuring training objectives are met.
• Maintain a safe and compliant work environment by following SOPs, safety protocols, and laboratory best practices.
• Provide highly technical consultation to agency users, program managers, laboratory staff, and physicians on interpreting analytical results.
• Respond to emergency testing requests outside normal business hours when required.

Benefits

• Health benefits at affordable pricing
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• Paid life insurance
• Paid short- and long-term disability benefits
• Paid holidays
• Vacation and other leave benefits
• Wellness programs
• State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings, including employer matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed