Section Chief, Environment Laboratories

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated laboratory leader to manage the operations of the Environment Laboratories of the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories (KHEL). This Section includes 3 Units:
Inorganic Chemistry (including Radiation Chemistry Laboratory), Organic Chemistry (including Environmental Microbiology Laboratory) and Toxicology (testing for Blood Lead, Chemical Threat, Opioids and PFAS). This position plays a critical role in ensuring high-quality environmental and public health laboratory data, implementing regulatory programs, and maintaining state and federal readiness for chemical emergency response. This is a unique leadership opportunity to support public health and environmental protection at a statewide level while leading a team of expert scientists dedicated to high-quality laboratory service and emergency preparedness.

This position reports to KHEL Laboratory Director.

• Provide leadership, planning, organization, and direction for the three laboratory units and all testing programs.
• Supervise and support unit managers; promote teamwork, cross-training, and high-performance operations.
• Oversee all analytical activities to ensure accurate, defensible, and timely environmental and clinical data for internal and external customers.
• Monitor instrumentation, equipment, and laboratory resources to meet the needs of the Division of Environment.
• Serve as the Chemical Terrorism Coordinator for the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and CDC, including approving data submissions and completing quarterly reports.
• Act as Technical Supervisor for the Blood Lead Testing Program, ensuring CLIA compliance and robust quality assurance practices.
• Implement, maintain, and continuously improve a comprehensive quality assurance program aligned with EPA, TNI, NELAC, CLIA and current GLP.
• Evaluate and direct corrective actions when quality issues arise.
• Lead method development or modification efforts to ensure alignment with current regulatory and scientific standards.
• Develop and oversee instrument maintenance programs to ensure optimal analytical performance and extended equipment life.
• Supervise managers and technical staff, including workload assignments, performance reviews, recruitment, hiring, and training.
• Represent the Environment Section at meetings, conferences, and interagency collaborations; respond to inquiries from industry and government agencies.
• Review and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) annually.
• Ensure laboratory activities meet all drinking water certification requirements.
• Serve as part of the KDHE Disaster Response Team, supporting public and environmental health response during emergencies, outbreaks, and incidents of terrorism.
• Support and help implement the KDHE 2023–2026 Strategic Plan, including its core values, priority areas, impact statements, and goals.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or environmental science with a minimum of 5-year hands‑on experience performing environment testing, preferably EPA standard methods, in a public or commercial laboratory.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience managing regulated environment laboratories.
• Thorough knowledge of EPA, TNI/NELAC, LRN, and CLIA regulations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Advanced experience in MS Office Suite, including MS Excel and MS Outlook.

• Advanced degree in chemistry, environmental science, or related field with strong management experience in a regulated environmental laboratory.