Senior Scientist - CR545

DHRM • Richmond, VA

9d • $69,000 - $83,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Join Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) and support The Division of Consolidated Laboratories (DCLS) as a Senior Scientist and lead critical testing that protects public health, agriculture, and the environment. If you’re passionate about science, leadership, and safeguarding communities, we want you on our team! The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Senior Scientist in the Chemical Terrorism Preparedness and Response /Radiochemistry/Biomonitoring/Drugs of Abuse 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 Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s environmental laboratory accreditation program. The Chemical Terrorism Preparedness and Response (CT) laboratory at DCLS was one of four state laboratories originally 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. Expanding on the capacity of these four laboratories, the CDC established the Laboratory Response Network – Chemical (LRN-C) to respond to accidental or intentional exposure of people to toxic chemicals. The LRN-C is a national laboratory network in which DCLS serves as a Level I member maintaining the highest level of testing capacity. This capacity includes maintaining the ability to test human clinical specimens for toxic chemicals and the ability to serve as a backup laboratory for the CDC in a large-scale chemical terrorism event. As a Senior Scientist in Chemical Terrorism Preparedness and Response job duties include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

• Meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for a general supervisor in a high complexity testing laboratory as defined in (42 CFR 493.1461 ).
• Considerable knowledge of the theory and application of chemical principles.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices for the handling of chemical, microbiological, infectious or toxic materials including engineering and facility controls.
• Knowledge and skill in the application and operation of complex laboratory equipment and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) necessary for the analysis of specimens and reporting of test results.
• Experience independently performing complex routine and emergency analyses.
• Experience troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation and analytical methods.
• Experience coordinating, leading, organizing and prioritizing work of others.
• Knowledge of QA/QC, mathematics, and basic statistics
• Skill in the use of computers and MS Office (to include Outlook, Word & Excel)
• Effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to compile and formulate data, draw conclusions and provide interpretations of data.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds
• This position requires participation in a rotating 24/7 on-call schedule as part of the DCLS emergency response team.
• This opportunity is ONLY open to CURRENT DGS EMPLOYEES.
• Applications that do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a chemistry laboratory.
• Experience performing ICP/MS, GC/MS, or LC/MS testing.
• Experience with chain of custody procedures.
• Experience in ISO 17025, CLIA and EPA compliance with federal, state and local laws requirements and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Perform highly complex analyses throughout pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases of testing.
• Schedule and prioritize workflow for assigned group or work area to ensure turnaround times are met.
• Demonstrate clear understanding of LIMS system and captures testing data and results accurately on each sample.
• Work independently or closely with Principal, Lead Scientist and Group Manager to track the performance of method development projects.
• Support the DCLS Quality Management System in the performance of moderate to highly complex laboratory testing to ensure the accuracy and integrity of DCLS laboratory test results.

Benefits

• DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.
• Additionally, supplemental bus passes, ride share, or parking are available, and DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

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