Scientist - CL627
Job no: 5017898
Work type: Full-Time (Salaried)
Location: Richmond (City), Virginia
Categories: Applied Sciences and Natural Resources
Title: Scientist - CL627
State Role Title: Scientist I
Hiring Range: $59,000 - $74,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Department of General Services
Location: DCLS
Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Department of General Services (DGS), Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) seeks to hire a qualified candidate to serve as a Scientist I in the Biological Threat Emergency Response (BTER) Group. The BTER Group performs 24/7/365 public health emergency testing for the Commonwealth of Virginia. BTER staff performs rapid molecular, conventional culture and immunological testing for the detection of bioterrorism agents and toxins, newly emerging pathogens, such as Ebola, Marburg, and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and highly infectious pathogens of significant public health concern, such as Measles, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Bacterial Meningitis. The candidate will be responsible for accessioning and processing human clinical specimens and environmental samples in biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories. BTER Scientist duties will also include testing and documentation of analyses performed, performing QA/QC procedures, preparing testing reagents, troubleshooting and/or maintenance of equipment, assists with development, validation, and implementation of new methods, and packaging/shipping of infectious materials. This Position requires testing outside of normal business hours on demand; serves on a BT on-call rotation for emergency response testing of potentially hazardous materials.
The selected candidate will be responsible for testing clinical and environmental samples for select agents and toxins regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) and must pass an FBI background security clearance check, a FSAP background check as well as health clearance to work with select agents.
Weekend, holiday, after hours, and on call work is required.
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. DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Qualified state employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). As a full-time employee with the Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, you may be able to take advantage of this program! Visit the site Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for more information including eligibility requirements.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidate must meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for a testing personnel in a high complexity-testing laboratory as defined by 42 CFR 493.1489;
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and protocols;
• Knowledge of microbiological, molecular biology, or medical sciences;
• Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures;
• Effective and professional oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adapt in a fast-paced work environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a team environment and independently; and
• Ability to work weekends, after-hours as well as on-call coverage.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience working in a biosafety level three (BSL-3) environment;
• Experience working with Select Agents; Experience performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (Standard and Real-Time) testing;
• Experience performing conventional microbiological procedures;
• Experience performing immunoassays;
• Experience with computer interfaced instrumentation;
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS); and
• Experience with operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.

Special Instructions:
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or rsum is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
To comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogens requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine, and bacterial meningitis vaccines.
Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer.
Biosafety Level 3 containment laboratory work is necessary and has associated vaccines, as appropriate.
The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard is required for BSL-3 laboratory duties and involves passing a respiratory physical prior to working in a BSL-3 laboratory.
The respiratory physical and required vaccines will be provided by the employer.
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. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.
The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Fax, e-mail or mail applications will not be accepted. The online State application must contain all required information and fully respond to the questions to be considered for this job opportunity.
For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office at jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or call 804-786-3910.
Applications will be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received. After 5 business days, this position may be closed at any time.
The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.
Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.
The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.
DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.
Contact Information
Name: DGS Human Resources
Phone: 804-786-3910
Email: jobs@dgs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note : Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
Advertised: 06 Jun 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: