DIRECTOR, LABORATORIES ADMINISTRATION (Program Manager Senior IV)

MD; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful Work

Excellent Health Benefits Package, VSP

Flexible Spending Accounts

Generous Leave Benefits

Retirement

Paid Parental Leave

Flexible Work Schedules

Free Mass Transit

Job summary

Maryland Department of Health appoints a Director for the Maryland Public Health Laboratories Administration, providing executive leadership, scientific oversight, and strategic direction across the state’s public health laboratories.

The role drives regulatory compliance, QA, and emergency response coordination with state and federal partners, ensuring accurate data for disease control and environmental protection.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in chemical/biological/medical laboratory science or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Maryland Public Health Laboratories Administration.
• Ensure testing, technology, and customer support align with public health programs.
• Maintain CLIA certification and compliance with all federal/state laws.
• Oversee budgets, staff, and labs to meet high quality standards and cost effectiveness.
• Coordinate the laboratory response network for bioterrorism and public health threats.
• Offer expert consultative services in public health laboratory practice.

Skills

Leadership

Public health strategy

Regulatory compliance

Executive communication

Education

Doctoral degree in lab science

Board Certification in a relevant field

Job description

Introduction

RECRUITMENT REPOST. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY.

Grade

26

Location of Position

MDH Public Health Services Laboratories Administration 1770 Ashland Avenue Baltimore MD 21205

Main Purpose of Job

This critical position provides executive leadership, scientific oversight, and strategic direction for the nationally‑renowned Maryland Public Health Laboratories Administration. The Director oversees all operational, scientific, and administrative functions of the Maryland State Public Health Laboratory, ensuring compliance with regulations (COMAR, CLIA) to provide accurate and relevant scientific data essential for disease prevention and control, environmental protection, and emergency response to state, federal, and local government partners, health care providers, and communities across the state.

The Laboratories Administration has an annual budget of $60 million and a staff of over 200. This position oversees a central laboratory in Baltimore and two regional laboratories performing environmental testing. It further ensures that the laboratory provides scientific data essential for disease prevention and control, environmental protection, public health policy development, and response to statewide public health threats caused by common or emerging biological, chemical, and radiological agents.

This position is designated as Emergency Essential.

Position Duties

• Ensure that appropriate testing, technology, customer service, and technical support are available to support public health programs.
• Provide leadership to plan, implement, and evaluate new or modified procedures and testing technologies.
• Maintain federal certification in accord with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and all other applicable federal and state laws.
• Oversee laboratory improvement programs and ensure laboratory tests meet federally mandated requirements.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate laboratory policies, goals, and objectives in compliance with state, federal, and regulatory laboratory standards.
• Oversee staff, budget, and resources of the state public health laboratory (SPHL) to ensure services meet the highest quality standards, comply with requirements, serve customer and stakeholder needs, and are cost effective.
• Coordinate the activities of the state's laboratory response network to provide rapid and effective laboratory services in support of the response to bioterrorism, naturally occurring infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health threats and emergencies.
• Integrate public health preparedness and bioterrorism response program services.
• Provide expert consultative services in public health laboratory practice and scientific areas of expertise to professionals, customers, representatives of other health department agencies, and various state and federal agencies and professional societies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Hold an earned doctoral degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution.
• Hold an earned doctoral degree in a biological, chemical, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory science related to laboratory testing for diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease.
• Be certified and continue to be certified by a board approved by HHS; proof of Board Certification must be provided at the time of application.
• Have at least 2 years of laboratory training or experience, including directing or supervising high‑complexity testing.
• Have at least 20 CE credit hours in laboratory practice covering director responsibilities as defined in §493.1445.

Benefits

• Meaningful Work
• Excellent Health Benefits Package, including Medical, Vision, Prescription, and Dental
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Reduced Child and Health Care)
• Generous Leave Benefits (6 Personal Days, 12 Regular Holidays, Annual Leave, Sick Leave)
• Retirement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Flexible Work Schedules (where applicable)
• Free Mass Transit (Baltimore Metro Area)

Selection Process

This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience as they relate to the position requirements. Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date.

Further Instructions

Online applications are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications and supplemental questionnaires may be submitted to MDH Recruitment and Selection Division, 201 W. Preston St., Room 114‑B, Baltimore, MD 21201 by the closing date. Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business. Additional materials requested will be accepted only if received by the closing date and time.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retention, and promotion of employees who reflect the State's diversity.