Scientist (Chemical Terrorism) - CR597

DHRM•Richmond, VA

7d•Onsite

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 was one of the original four state laboratories selected in 1998 to provide support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for laboratory analysis for human exposure to chemical warfare agents. The CDC established the Laboratory Response Network (LRN-C) to respond to accidental or intentional exposure of people to toxic chemicals, and DCLS serves as a Level I member, maintaining the highest level of testing capability and capacity. This includes testing human clinical specimens for toxic chemicals and serving as a backup laboratory for the CDC in a large-scale chemical terrorism event. This is a full-time, restricted position funded by a federal grant, and continued employment is contingent upon the continued availability of funds. Employees in classified restricted positions are eligible for the state employee benefits package. This position is located in Richmond, Virginia, and requires on-site reporting.

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.
Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.
The selected candidate must also pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

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.
Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer.
In order to comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogen requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine.
DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.

Benefits

State employee benefits package (including leave, healthcare, retirement, etc.)
Excellent health benefits at affordable pricing
Pre-tax spending accounts
Paid life insurance
Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits
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, or parking are available
DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program