Scientist (Chemical Terrorism) - CR597
About The Position
The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is hiring a Scientist to join the Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response (CT) laboratory. This role supports statewide laboratory testing to protect the health and safety of communities across the Commonwealth. DCLS is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation, performing approximately 9 million tests annually. The Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response Section at DCLS is a Level I member of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN-C), maintaining the highest level of testing capability and capacity to respond to human exposure to chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals. This includes testing human clinical specimens and serving as a backup laboratory for the CDC in large-scale chemical terrorism events. This is a full-time, restricted position funded by a federal grant, located in Richmond, Virginia, and requires on-site reporting. Continued employment is contingent upon the continued availability of funds. Employees in classified restricted positions are eligible for the state employee benefits package.
Requirements
- Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for high complexity testing personnel as defined in 42 CFR 493.1489.
- Knowledge of the theory and application of chemical principles and chemical laboratory procedures.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols for the safe handling of chemical, microbiological, infectious, or toxic substances.
- Experience with laboratory instrumentation and mechanical equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to follow procedures, prioritize work, and identify errors.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to lift 30 pounds.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in a chemistry laboratory.
- Experience with complex computer interfaced instrumentation including inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and/or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) testing.
- Experience accessioning specimens and reporting results accurately.
- Experience independently performing moderate to high complexity testing in a laboratory.
- Experience performing and documenting QA and QC procedures, compiling and formulating data, and interpreting QC data/results.
- Experience troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
- Experience with chain of custody procedures.
- Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and/or MS Office products.
Responsibilities
- Perform highly complex testing, meet turnaround and holding times, manage workload priorities, maintain chain of custody, and ensure data integrity in LIMS.
- Ensure accuracy and integrity of test results, performing QA/QC procedures, troubleshooting methods, documenting maintenance, and supporting staff training.
- Maintain professional relationships and provide responsive support to internal and external customers.
- Support DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
- Ensure a safe, secure, and compliant work environment.
Benefits
- State employee benefits package
- Leave
- Healthcare
- Retirement
- Paid holidays
- Vacation
- Other leave benefits
- Wellness programs
- State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching
- Supplemental bus passes
- Ride share
- Parking
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
