Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1-3

State of Louisiana • Baton Rouge, LA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health is hiring a Public Health Laboratory Scientist for the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Section of its Central Laboratory in East Baton Rouge Parish. The role supports analyses that help ensure safe drinking water across Louisiana. The selected candidate may be appointed at the Public Health Laboratory Scientist 1, 2, or 3 level according to qualifications, with opportunities to advance within the job series. The position may be filled as a probationary appointment.

The scientist performs EPA-approved chemical analyses of drinking water and wastewater, including trace organics, trace metals, and inorganic compounds. The position involves sample preparation, sample acceptance and custody management, instrument and reagent preparation, quality assurance and data review, laboratory reporting, and collaboration with laboratory professionals, public health program staff, and regulatory agencies.

Applicants must be able to pass applicable criminal background checks and/or security clearances. Clinical testing license requirements apply only to positions involving human specimens or results used in human diagnosis or treatment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a biological, environmental, or chemical science.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and/or applicable security clearance.
• For clinical testing positions involving human specimens or results used in human diagnosis or treatment: current Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Generalist (CLS-G) or Specialist (CLS-S), or a temporary license while meeting permanent-license requirements before it expires.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with EPA Safe Drinking Water regulations.
• Experience performing metals analysis using ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and/or atomic absorption.
• Prior work in an EPA-regulated laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Perform chemical analyses of drinking water and wastewater using standardized, EPA-approved methods for trace organics, trace metals, and inorganic compounds.
• Prepare samples using required extractions, distillations, cleanups, and other EPA-approved procedures.
• Receive, evaluate, and manage laboratory samples; verify identification and chain of custody, assess sample condition, and alert supervisors when acceptance criteria are not met.
• Prepare and maintain reagents, standards, surrogates, spiking solutions, calibration and tuning solutions, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Ensure instruments are calibrated and maintained and samples are analyzed within required timeframes.
• Review and report data, verifying completeness, calculation accuracy, interpretation, corrective actions, and compliance with data quality objectives.
• Use laboratory software and LIMS to track samples, perform statistical analyses, and manage data transfer.
• Perform quality assurance and quality control activities; contribute to SOPs, corrective action documentation, and method development.
• Troubleshoot and maintain laboratory equipment, cross-train staff, participate in team problem-solving, and follow laboratory safety and security protocols.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level