Chemical Threat Coordinator

Socket.dev; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa seeks an experienced scientist to lead the Chemical Threat Coordinator role, directing emergency preparedness for chemical threats and environmental hazards in collaboration with state, local, and federal partners.

The role serves as Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer, develops and maintains all-hazard procedures, and leads outreach to critical response partners through structured programs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in clinical/public health lab settings.
• Experience leading teams and managing projects.
• Experience designing and delivering trainings or educational programs for community outreach.
• Experience with environmental and clinical analytical testing, LC-MS/MS and GC-MS preferred.
• Knowledge of Laboratory Safety and Chemical Hygiene protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead emergency preparedness program for chemical threats and environmental hazards with state, local, and federal partners.
• Provide expert scientific and technical advice and manage accurate laboratory analyses.
• Serve as Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer and develop, validate, and maintain all-hazard procedures.
• Design and implement outreach programs to strengthen response partnerships.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Team leadership

Training programs

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory safety

Education

Master's degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or toxicology

Tools

LC-MS/MS

GC-MS

Job description

The State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa is seeking an experienced scientist to fill the Chemical Threat Coordinator role. This position leads the emergency preparedness program for chemical threats and environmental hazards in response to natural or human-caused emergencies, disasters, and terrorist actions in close partnership with state, local, and federal partners by providing expert scientific and technical advice and managing accurate and timely laboratory analyses. The Chemical Threat Coordinator acts as the Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer and will develop, validate, improve, and maintain all-hazard procedures for handling human clinical specimens, unknown environmental samples, toxicological samples, and other potentially hazardous materials. This position will also serve as a source of technical information in order to promote, maintain, and improve relationships with critical response partners through the design and implementation of a structured outreach program.

To meet CLIA regulations, an official transcript or a copy of an official transcript will be required prior to an offer of employment. (Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must have the transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/ and the applicant is responsible for all costs associated with that evaluation).

Work Schedule: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m, with possible nights, weekends and holidays to process samples. Additionally, frequent required travel.

Position Status: Regular

Work Modality: On-Site, In-Person

To learn more about the department visit https://shl.uiowa.edu/

About Pay and Compensation:

Pay Grade: 5A

The hiring range for this position is anticipated to be $70,000-$73,000. Salary offers are based on a variety of factors, including education, experience, skills, and budget considerations. In limited circumstances, compensation outside of the anticipated range may be considered for candidates with exceptional qualifications.

Qualifications:

Education or Equivalency Required:

A Master’s degree in chemistry, biololgy, forensic science, toxicology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrate proficient experience within an environmental and clinical public health lab setting.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrate professional project management experience.
• Demonstration of experience in leading teams.
• Experience with planning, designing, and/or delivering training or educational programming, to support community education and outreach.
• Experience performing analytical chemistry testing, preferably with LC-MS/MS and GC-MS instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory protocols for Environmental Health and Safety and Chemical Hygiene.
• Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, and the ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards.

Highly Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge or experience with incident command and national incident management systems is highly desirable.
• Experience with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and the identification of unknowns.
• Experience with clinical, environmental, and/or toxicological chemistry practices.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in drills and exercises, preparation and monitoring of grants, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity and creation and implementation of new initiatives.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, LIS, and preparation of fiscal and operational reports is desirable.

About the University of Iowa

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

This position is eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation.

For additional questions, please contact: VPR Talent ([e-mail])