Scientists (Biological Threat Emergency Response) - CR113, CR603

Department-of-General-Services; Richmond (VA); Sur place; USD 62 000 - 78 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The Department of General Services seeks Scientists for the Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER) in Richmond, VA. The roles will analyze unknown substances to identify biological threats impacting public health and safety, with on-site reporting and on-call rotations.

Responsibilities include performing routine and emergency testing using microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology techniques, maintaining QA/QC, and ensuring data accuracy in LIMS.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of microbiological, molecular biology, or medical sciences required.
• Ability to work weekends, after-hours and on-call on rotation.
• Meet CLIA requirements for high‑complexity testing as defined by 42 CFR 493.1489.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Perform routine and emergency microbiological, molecular, and immunological testing with timely turnaround.
• Maintain chain of custody and QA/QC procedures; document maintenance and ensure data accuracy in LIMS.
• Provide responsive support to internal and external customers and collaborate with DCLS team.
• Operate in a safe environment following SOPs and safety protocols, including BSL‑3 procedures.

Connaissances

Microbiology

Molecular biology

Medical sciences

QA/QC procedures

Lab safety practices

Communication skills

Teamwork

Formation

CLIA high complexity testing compliance

Outils

LIMS

PCR

Description du poste

Are you a Scientist knowledgeable about microbiological, molecular biology, or medical sciences?

Are you ready to make a real impact in a fulfilling career with the Commonwealth?

Protect the Commonwealth and advance your career as a Scientist in our Biological Threat Emergency Response Group, where science drives mission‑critical emergency response.

Title: Scientists (Biological Threat Emergency Response) - CR113, CR603

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $62,000 - $78,000

Pay Band:4

Agency: Department of General Services (DGS)

Location:DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

DGS is seeking two Scientists for our Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER) laboratory at the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS). In these positions, you’ll analyze unknown substances to identify biological threats that directly influence public health and safety. Your expertise will strengthen statewide preparedness and support coordinated emergency response efforts.

BTER is an all hazards emergency response laboratory that provides 24/7 laboratory testing services to hundreds of local state and federal agencies including the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and federal partners including but not limited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Homeland (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

BTER scientists investigate unknown or suspicious substances potentially associated with acts of terrorism using a multidisciplinary approach that enables the detection, identification, and confirmation of biological threat agents. Our team works with a diverse range of sample types including clinical, environmental, and food samples to support public health, environmental protection, and emergency response efforts across Virginia and beyond.

This is a full‑time, restricted position funded by a federal grant. Continued employment is contingent upon the continued availability of funds. Employees in classified restricted positions are eligible for the state employee benefits package (including leave, healthcare, retirement, etc.). Please refer to DHRM Policy 2.20, Types of Employment and DHRM Policy 1.30, Layoff for additional information.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform routine and emergency moderate to high‑complexity microbiological, molecular, and/or immunological laboratory testing while maintaining turnaround times and managing workload priorities.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of test results by maintaining chain of custody, performing QA/QC procedures, troubleshoot testing, documenting maintenance, and ensuring data accuracy in LIMS.
• Maintain professional relationships and provide responsive support to internal and external customers.
• Support DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
• Maintain a safe and compliant work environment by following SOPs, laboratory best practices, and safety protocols, up to and including BSL‑3 safety protocols.

This position is located in Richmond, Virginia and must report on‑site.

This position also serves on the BTER team's on‑call rotation to respond emergency testing required outside of normal business hours and participates in testing rotations during public health emergencies, outbreaks, and pandemics.

We’ve got great benefits!

DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre‑tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax‑deferred retirement savings including employer matching. Additionally, DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work weekends, after‑hours as well as on‑call coverage on a rotational basis. The standard hours of work for this position are normal business hours (8:15 AM - 5:00 PM) Monday - Friday.
• Meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for a testing personnel in a high complexity‑testing laboratory as defined by 42 CFR 493.1489.
• Knowledge of microbiological, molecular biology, or medical sciences.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and protocols.
• Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
• Effective and professional oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully independently and in a team environment.

Visa sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.

The selected candidate must also pass a fingerprint‑based criminal background check. Additionally, the candidate must complete a federal security risk assessment (FD‑961). The selected candidate will be responsible for testing clinical and environmental samples for select agents and toxins regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) and must pass an FBI background security clearance check, a FSAP background check, as well as health clearance to work with select agents.

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in a biosafety level three (BSL-3) environment.
• Experience working with Select Agents.
• Experience performing nucleic acid extraction from a variety of matrices and performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (Standard and Real‑Time) testing.
• Experience performing bacterial cultures, biochemical testing, and other conventional microbiological procedures.
• Experience performing immunoassays.
• Experience with computer interfaced instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Contact Information

Name: DGS Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]