Senior Scientist (Microbial Reference) - CL067

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Richmond, VA

4d • $71,000 - $86,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Join the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) as a Senior Scientist and help drive critical microbial testing that protects Virginia’s public health, environment, and safety. Bring your expertise to a team leading advanced bacterial and fungal pathogen detection for statewide partners and emergency response networks. The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply, environment, and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups. The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services’ (DCLS) Microbiology Reference Group delivers specialized laboratory testing focused on detecting and identifying bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause disease in humans, whether found in food or in the environment. The group also plays a critical role in testing for high‑consequence pathogens and potential biological agents that could be used to threaten public safety. Our team routinely analyzes human and environmental samples as part of investigations involving emerging infectious diseases, gastrointestinal illness outbreaks and in support of autopsy or suspicious death cases. We provide essential laboratory support to local, state, and federal agencies, as well as public and private laboratories across the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group, this position will primarily focus on the Mycobacteriology testing section.

Requirements

• Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for general supervisor in a high complexity microbiological laboratory as defined in 42 CFR 493.1461.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures and interpreting data.
• Experience independently performing high complexity microbiological testing in a BSL-2 laboratory.
• Experience with clinical microbiological cultures and pathogen identification.
• Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Experience serving as a team leader and/or training staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
• Good technical skills, strong attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication, time management, sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures, prioritize work and identify errors.
• Ability to work on-call coverage holidays and weekends on an occasional basis.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move 50 or more lbs. and frequently handle 20 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Meet specific subspecialty of mycobacteriology requirement of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for technical supervisor as defined in 42 CFR 493.1449.
• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).
• Experience with molecular methods and procedures.
• Experience independently performing high complexity microbiological testing in a BSL-3 laboratory.
• Experience with the development and validation of new methods.
• Experience writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or reports of research findings/interpretations.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine and emergency moderate to high-complexity laboratory testing with accuracy and efficiency.
• Documents work processes, organizes, schedules and prioritizes daily workflow for work area, ensuring testing turnaround times are met.
• Serves in a team lead capacity by training others to perform testing, demonstrating a high degree of independence and technical expertise.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves the work of team members, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of data and results within LIMS.
• Troubleshoots microbiological and molecular test methods and instrumentation.
• Assists with validation and verification of new instrumentation and methodologies.
• Reviews and revises standard operating procedures.
• Supports quality assurance efforts by upholding testing standards and ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of laboratory results.
• Maintains a safe and compliant work environment by following SOPs, safety protocols, and laboratory best practices.

Benefits

• Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer.
• DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine.
• The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
• DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
• Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future.

What This Job Offers

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