Laboratory Technology III

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is seeking personnel for the Genomic Surveillance Program to perform high-complexity testing and analysis of clinical and environmental specimens. The Sequencing unit supports identification and typing of microorganisms of public health concern using culture, molecular and NGS methods.

Responsibilities include assay validation, quality control, and timely reporting to CDPHE partners.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-complexity testing and analyses of clinical, environmental, and other specimens for detection, identification, and typing of microorganisms.
• Utilize conventional, molecular, and NGS methodologies and ensure results are reported within required turnaround times.
• Perform QA/QC activities, document procedures, and maintain compliance with CLIA guidelines.
• Assist in validation/verification of new testing methods and contribute to capacity expansion.
• Report results accurately and communicate findings to public health partners and epidemiologists as needed.

Job description

This posting is only open to current residents of the State of Colorado.

ABOUT CDPHE:

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we are charged with protecting Colorado’s health and environment – a responsibility that affects every person and every community in the state. CDPHE is distinctive because we bring public health and environmental protection together under one agency, recognizing that healthy people depend on healthy places. Our teams prevent diseases and injury, respond to emergencies ranging from E.coli outbreaks to global pandemics, reduce air pollution, protect water quality, regulate health facilities, manage environmental hazards, perform advanced laboratory testing, provide birth and death records, and implement health promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and work alongside local public health agencies and community partners to meet Colorado’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. Working at CDPHE means applying your expertise to complex, consequential work that can improve lives across the state.

Our mission captures this broad portfolio of work: to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, learn, work, and play. Our vision is a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations can thrive. Achieving the mission and vision takes bold action, talented people, broad partnerships, and a commitment to serving every Coloradan.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• TERM LIMIT: THIS POSITION IS TERM LIMITED AND FUNDING CANNOT BE GUARANTEED BEYOND 07/31/2027. THE INCUMBENT IN THIS POSITION MUST BEWILLING AND ABLE TO RESIGN ON THIS DATE OR WHEN FUNDS RUN OUT, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST.
• This position will be onsite and required to report to the office located at: 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230

CDPHE Offers:

CDPHE offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a meaningful career in public service. Benefits include:

• Medical and dental plans.
• Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan.
• Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Potential flexible working arrangements
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee wellness programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

The Work Unit:

The Genomic Surveillance Program performs analytical testing of clinical, animal, and environmental specimens using current culture, molecular, and NGS biological methods. The program exists to ensure timely, accurate test results in support of environmental monitoring, patient diagnosis/management, and epidemiological investigations of communicable disease outbreaks. The Sequencing group within the Genomic Surveillance Program exists to provide accurate data and test results regarding detection, identification and typing of microorganisms of public health importance/concern in clinical or environmental specimens. Further, the Sequencing Unit supports clinical diagnostic testing used for patient diagnosis and actionable treatment guidance, as well as contributes to routine sentinel surveillance testing to provide regional aggregate data to the CDC and local public health. The Sequencing unit will also support other Programs within CDPHE, as well as other units within the Genomic Surveillance program by maintaining competencies to ensure increased testing capacity is consistently supported and scalable to meet public health demand.

What You Will Do:

This position exists to conduct high-complexity testing and analyses of specimens for the detection, identification, and typing of microorganisms of public health importance and concern within clinical specimens. This position utilizes conventional and molecular testing for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms in clinical and surveillance specimens according to existing methodologies. This position is responsible for ensuring that specimens are handled and processed following established procedures and that results are generated and reported within the required turnaround time. This position supports molecular and serological testing of submitted clinical specimens in accordance with existing methodologies following established multistep, complex algorithms. This position participates in validation or verification testing to increase testing capacity or evaluate additional testing methodologies. It also performs all quality assurance and quality control requirements including required QC testing and documentation in accordance with established protocols or as instructed by the unit work lead or supervisor. Including delegations of authority for QA/QC records. This position is responsible for accurate reporting and results entry and may be responsible for delivery of testing results to appropriate public health and healthcare professionals. This position is responsible for responding to specimen submitters and epidemiologists (as needed) to efficiently reconcile specimen submission questions and to quickly and accurately communicate results to CDPHE partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Analytical Testing

This position is responsible with minimal oversight for molecular, microbiological and NGS based testing within the Genomic Surveillance Program. This position is responsible for assay troubleshooting as well as assay validation, verification, and optimization with guidance and minimal oversight operating as an individual contributor on the team. When verifying, validating, or optimizing new or existing assays, this position contributes to performing initial or continuing literature reviews, pilot assay design and setup, including the selection and evaluation of controls, as well as facilitating the execution of the assay, and perform initial review of assay results. Additionally, this position contributes to the acceptance criteria for the results and is responsible for coordinating resolution of any errors, challenges, or failures encountered, appropriately escalating communications to leadership to support a resolution. This position works closely with the PSRS team and Genomic Surveillance leadership to ensure the needs of the work unit and program are met, including keeping the unit and program up to date on current or advancing methodologies and following, documenting, updating, and communicating CLIA guidelines.

General Lab Duties