Scientist; Chemical Terrorism - CL

Position: Scientist (Chemical Terrorism) - CL600
Location: Richmond

Join the Virginia Department of General Services' Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) as a Scientist in the Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response Lab, a nationally recognized Level I member of the CDC's Laboratory Response Network. In this critical role, you'll perform advanced analytical testing that directly supports public health and emergency response for the Commonwealth.

Title:

Scientist (Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response) - CL600

State Role

Title:

Scientist I

Hiring Range: $62,000 - $78,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency:
Department of General Services

Location:

DCLS

Agency Website: dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type:
General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Scientist in the Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response (CT) laboratory 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 the Commonwealth's environmental laboratory accreditation program.

The Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response Section 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 (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 capability and capacity. This capability 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 Chemical Terrorism Preparedness & Response (CT) Scientist, job duties include, but are not limited to:

* 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.

This position is in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

Minimum Qualifications

* 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.

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.

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.

The selected candidate must also pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Additional Considerations

* 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…