Scientist (Microbial Reference) – CL550

DHRM•Richmond, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of General Services is seeking a Scientist for the Microbial Reference Group at the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS). DCLS performs testing that supports public health, agriculture, food regulation, environmental protection, and law enforcement throughout Virginia. The Microbial Reference Group detects and identifies bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause human disease, including high-consequence pathogens, and supports investigations of emerging infectious diseases, gastrointestinal illness outbreaks, and suspicious deaths. The Scientist will perform moderate and high-complexity testing in the Mycobacteriology Laboratory to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The role includes meeting testing turnaround and holding times, managing priorities and chain of custody, maintaining data integrity in the laboratory information management system, ensuring reliable results through quality procedures and troubleshooting, documenting maintenance, and supporting staff training. The position is based in Richmond, Virginia, and requires on-site work. DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel and may be required to report during state-authorized closures or delays. Biosafety Level 3 laboratory work may be required, subject to respiratory protection requirements.

Requirements

Meet the education and experience or training requirements for high-complexity testing personnel under CLIA, as defined in 42 CFR 493.1489.
Experience with laboratory safety practices and laboratory operations.
Knowledge of microbiology.
Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Good technical skills and strong attention to detail, including the ability to follow procedures, identify errors, and solve problems.
Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to occasionally handle, push, pull, and/or move 50 or more pounds.
Ability to work occasional after-hours and/or weekends for emergency coverage and workflow.
Must report on-site in Richmond, Virginia.
Must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Must pass a respiratory physical before working in a BSL-3 laboratory, if such work is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience independently performing high-complexity testing in a BSL-2 and/or BSL-3 laboratory.
Experience with clinical microbiological cultures and/or molecular methods.
Experience with mycobacteriology and/or mycology and pathogen identification.
Experience operating and troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation.
Experience performing and documenting QA and QC and interpreting QC data/results.
Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Responsibilities

Perform moderate and high-complexity testing to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Meet testing turnaround and holding times and manage workload priorities.
Maintain chain of custody and data integrity in LIMS.
Ensure the accuracy and integrity of test results by performing QA/QC procedures, troubleshooting methods, and documenting maintenance.
Support staff training.
Maintain professional relationships and provide responsive support to internal and external customers.
Support the DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
Help ensure a safe, secure, and compliant work environment.

Benefits

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
Supplemental bus passes, rideshare, or parking
Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer
Hepatitis B vaccine offered
Blood-borne pathogen training provided