Principal Scientist (Trace Organics & Pesticides) - CL177

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Richmond, VA

7d • $89,000 - $102,000 • 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. DCLS conducts laboratory testing that supports public health, agriculture, food regulation, environmental protection, and law enforcement programs. The group uses complex instrumentation to identify toxic organic compounds in air, water, and soil, and performs emergency-response and consumer-protection testing, including formulation and animal-remedy testing.

The Principal Scientist serves as a technical specialist and workgroup lead, performs complex analytical testing, supports quality assurance, and develops and verifies laboratory methods. The position is on-site in Richmond and may require emergency testing outside normal business hours, including occasional weekends. 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 as a team leader, including coordinating, prioritizing, and reviewing others’ work.
• 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 result interpretation.
• 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 the ability to follow procedures, identify errors, and solve problems.
• 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.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not provided.
• Must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Experience performing 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 related to potable and non-potable water testing, including PFAS and pesticide residue testing.
• Experience writing SOPs and/or grant applications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the workgroup’s lead and technical specialist, including training staff and reviewing their testing; act as backup Technical Manager for TNI purposes.
• Independently perform high-complexity laboratory testing and analysis accurately and efficiently, including liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) testing.
• Ensure the team meets production, turnaround-time, quality-assurance, and other objectives.
• 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 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 analytical-result interpretation.

Benefits

• Affordable health benefits.
• 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.
• Qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Blood-borne pathogen training provided by the employer; Hepatitis B vaccine offered.

What This Job Offers

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