Bioinformatician

Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Kansas; On-site; USD 70,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Sick & vacation leave

Flexible schedules

Paid state holidays

Fitness centers

Retirement programs

Job summary

Kansas Department of Health and Environment is seeking a bioinformatics subject matter expert to build and support analytics for sequencing data from production to interpretation. You will develop and maintain pipelines, manage genome sequence files, and implement tools and standardized workflows across the unit.

Responsibilities include QC, SOPs, customer-facing support, and collaboration with health section managers and epidemiologists to optimize surveillance.

Qualifications

• High School or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains bioinformatics pipelines for sequencing data.
• Collaborates with epidemiologists for surveillance optimization.
• Provides technical training and documentation.
• Communicates findings to management and staff.
• Ensures quality control and SOPs for bioinformatics.

Skills

Python/Java/JavaScript/C++

UNIX/Linux

Oral and written communication

Time management

Data analysis

Collaboration / teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/Ph.D. in bioinformatics or related field

High School / GED

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Our agency is led by Secretary Janet Stanek, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly in Dec 2021. KDHE is comprised of three divisions: Public Health, Environment, and Health Care Finance (which includes the State’s Medicaid program, KanCare). We are the only agency in the nation to have these three entities under one roof which allows us to take a holistic approach to improving and protecting the health and well‑being of all Kansans.

Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9 . KDHE does not provide sponsorships for this position.

E-Verify: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here . For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here .

http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/

About The Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External).
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Sponsorship: KDHE does not provide sponsorship for this position.

Compensation

• Annual Pay Range: $70,000 - $77,000
• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement And Deferred Compensation Programs
• Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary

The position (K0247794) Serves as a bioinformatics subject matter expert. Builds and supports analytic methods and strategies to integrate the workflow, pipelines, and analysis of sequencing data from sequence production to variant calling and interpretation. Develops and maintains bioinformatics infrastructure and pipeline for sequencing data management. Works closely with the Health Section Managers for genomic sequence data analysis to identify and interpret variants associated with microorganisms as well as disorders in newborns. Develops and implements bioinformatics tools, reference databases, and standardized pipelines and architecture. Performs quality control, assembly, annotation and analysis of genome sequences with version control. Develop standard operating procedures for bioinformatics analysis. Manages genome sequence files and databases, including uploads to CDC or other similar sequence data banks. Identifies, develops, and implements effective techniques and monitors to customize, monitor, and troubleshoot bioinformatics workflows, scripts, and data to ensure the highest quality of laboratory services. Troubleshoot, identifies areas of deficiencies and quality issues, and determines solutions. Performs and assists with customer services activities. Assists all Health Section departments with informatics and data handling activities, such as improving databased workflow efficiency using macros, scripts, etc. Effectively communicates with management and staff at all levels in the laboratory. Consults with customers to determine their needs and resolve concerns. Provides technical advice, training, educational materials, information, and associated data on bioinformatics. Interacts with epidemiologists to review and optimize the performance of bioinformatics for surveillance purposes. Develops and maintains positive working relationships. Investigates all complaints and documents all problems and the follow-up actions taken. Collects, compiles, and creates written reports and visualizations of requested information. Plans, tracks tasks, ensuring milestones are completed within established timeframe, and reports progress and outcome measures to Unit managers and Health Section Chief and as requested to management. Consults with internal and external partners on bioinformatics and genomic project planning and management. Collaborate with colleagues from other public health laboratories and institutions for shared resources, ideas, and workflows. Develop goals and manage resources. Maintains knowledge of emerging bioinformatics tools and technologies through study of publications and attendance at scientific meetings and provides updates and recommends improvements to Unit manager as needed. Participates in strategic planning and grant preparation activities to attain short-term and long-term goals and objectives in bioinformatics. Assures cost effective infrastructure and optimizes data analysis workflow by overseeing and facilitating development and implementation of new tools, processes, techniques, and policies. Determines specifications and ensures purchases, delivery, and inventory for adequate equipment and peripherals are made to meet needs. Works with the Office of Information Technology Services to ensure that software adheres to appropriate agency and regulatory compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • High School, GED
• Licensing & Certification:
  • Valid Driver's License - Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver's license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s, Master’s, and/or a Ph.D. in bioinformatics, biostatistics, computational biology, public health informatics, health information, or related field
  • 1 year of experience in an informatics role.
  • Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access
  • Proofreading, editing, attention to detail
  • Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and lab data.
  • Oral and Written communication.
  • Programming in Python/Java/JavaScript/C++.
  • Time management and planning
  • Computational and statistical analysis and methods
  • Knowledge of bioinformatics tools and ability to integrate those into robust analysis pipelines
  • Organize and manage multiple tasks, prioritize heavy workloads and meet deadlines.
  • Knowledge of strategies for achieving effective sequencing data acquisition, management, quality
  • Skill in synthesizing and analyzing complex information for a variety of purposes.
  • Ability to work in UNIX/Linux and high performance computing environments.
  • Ability to utilize computer programs for lab data analysis including trend analysis.
  • Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to establish goals and objectives.
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Veterans' Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

Documentation and Claims

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to [phone], scanned and emailed to [e-mail], or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.