Assistant Director of Laboratories, DOH

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Exton (PA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks an Assistant Director of Laboratories to lead the State Public Health Laboratory's scientific operations, quality assurance, and regulatory oversight. This role drives critical daily workflows and collaborates with state and federal partners to advance public health initiatives.

The position requires strong leadership, technical understanding, and the ability to coordinate across divisions.

Qualifications

• Must meet CLIA Director qualifications within eighteen months of hire.
• Must meet 28 Pa. Code §5.21.88 Director qualifications at time of hire.
• Must meet 28 Pa. Code §5.21.88 Director qualifications within eighteen months.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• Must pass a background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Direct work in laboratory improvement, operations, and quality assurance activities.
• Manage facility functions, fiscal processes, procurement tasks, and staff-related operations.
• Ensure laboratory practices meet regulatory standards.
• Assist in shaping policies and procedures for laboratory operations.
• Collaborate with state bureaus, federal partners, and external laboratories on public health matters.
• Advise leadership on regulatory, laboratory, and inspection issues.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory understanding

Strategic planning

Interagency collaboration

Communication

Job description

Do you thrive on solving complex challenges and guiding high-level scientific operations? The Bureau of Laboratories has an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Director of Laboratories to drive excellence at the State Public Health Laboratory. Your leadership directly supports life-saving public health initiatives and shapes critical daily workflows. If you are ready to champion innovation and lead with purpose, take the next step and apply today!

This position supports the Bureau of Laboratories by assisting in the management of scientific, regulatory, and administrative functions that guide the State Public Health Laboratory. The role requires strong leadership, technical understanding, and coordination across multiple divisions. As an Assistant Director of Laboratories, you will perform the following duties:

• Division Leadership: Direct work in laboratory improvement, operations, and quality assurance activities
• Operational Oversight: Manage facility functions, fiscal processes, procurement tasks, and staff-related operations
• Quality Assurance: Ensure laboratory practices align with scientific standards and regulatory requirements
• Policy Support: Assist in shaping policies, procedures, and recommendations for laboratory operations
• Interagency Consultation: Collaborate with state bureaus, federal partners, and external laboratories on public health matters
• Technical Guidance: Maintain scientific knowledge and advise leadership on regulatory, laboratory, and inspection issues

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Exton. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Special Requirements:

• You must meet the qualifications under the provisions of the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) for Laboratory Director (§493.1443) within eighteen months of hire.
• You must meet the Qualifications of Director under 28 Pa. Code §5.21.88 subsection (a) and the Pennsylvania Clinical Laboratory Act at the time of hire.
• You must meet the Qualifications of Director under 28 Pa. Code §5.21.88 subsection (b) within eighteen months of hire.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• You must pass a background investigation.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.