Senior Scientist (Microbial Reference) - CL067

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers is seeking a Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group (DCLS) in Richmond, VA. The role focuses on Mycobacteriology within the Microbial Reference Group, performing high-complexity testing and leading a team in a state public health lab.

The candidate will work on on-site duties at the Richmond facility, with responsibilities spanning method validation, SOP updates, and QA support, ensuring accurate, timely results for statewide partners, while adhering to

Qualifications

• Meets CLIA general supervisor education/experience requirements for high complexity microbiology labs.
• Experience with QA/QC procedures and data interpretation.
• Experience performing high complexity microbiology testing in BSL-2 environments.
• Experience with clinical microbiology cultures and pathogen identification.
• Experience using LIMS and lab information systems.
• Experience leading/training staff and coordinating team workload.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and emergency moderate-to-high complexity lab testing with accuracy and efficiency.
• Document processes, organize workflows, and prioritize daily tasks to meet turnaround times.
• Lead by training others and reviewing work to ensure data accuracy within LIMS.
• Troubleshoot microbiological and molecular test methods and instruments.
• Assist with validation/verification of new instrumentation and methods.
• Review and revise standard operating procedures.
• Support QA efforts to ensure testing standards, accuracy, and reliability.
• Maintain a safe and compliant work environment following SOPs and safety protocols.

Skills

Leadership training

Attention to detail

Communication

Problem solving

Time management

Safety awareness

On-call readiness

Education

CLIA general supervisor qualification

Tools

LIMS

Molecular testing instrumentation

Job description

Join the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) as a Senior Scientist and help drive critical microbial testing that protects Virginia’s public health, environment, and safety. Bring your expertise to a team leading advanced bacterial and fungal pathogen detection for statewide partners and emergency response networks.

Title:

Senior Scientist (Microbial Reference) – CL067

State Role Title:

Scientist II

Hiring Range:

$71,000 - $86,000

Pay Band:

5

Agency:

Department of General Services

Location:

DCLS

Agency Website:

www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type:

General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply, environment, and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups.

About the Microbial Reference Group

The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services’ (DCLS) Microbiology Reference Group delivers specialized laboratory testing focused on detecting and identifying bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause disease in humans, whether found in food or in the environment. The group also plays a critical role in testing for high‑consequence pathogens and potential biological agents that could be used to threaten public safety.

Our team routinely analyzes human and environmental samples as part of investigations involving emerging infectious diseases, gastrointestinal illness outbreaks and in support of autopsy or suspicious death cases. We provide essential laboratory support to local, state, and federal agencies, as well as public and private laboratories across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

As a Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group, this position will primarily focus on the Mycobacteriology testing section and job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs routine and emergency moderate to high-complexity laboratory testing with accuracy and efficiency.
• Documents work processes, organizes, schedules and prioritizes daily workflow for work area, ensuring testing turnaround times are met.
• Serves in a team lead capacity by training others to perform testing, demonstrating a high degree of independence and technical expertise.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves the work of team members, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of data and results within LIMS.
• Troubleshoots microbiological and molecular test methods and instrumentation
• Assists with validation and verification of new instrumentation and methodologies
• Reviews and revises standard operating procedures
• Supports quality assurance efforts by upholding testing standards and ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of laboratory results.
• Maintains a safe and compliant work environment by following SOPs, safety protocols, and laboratory best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for general supervisor in a high complexity microbiological laboratory as defined in 42 CFR 493.1461.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures and interpreting data.
• Experience independently performing high complexity microbiological testing in a BSL-2 laboratory.
• Experience with clinical microbiological cultures and pathogen identification.
• Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Experience serving as a team leader and/or training staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
• Good technical skills, strong attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication, time management, sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures, prioritize work and identify errors.
• Ability to work on-call coverage holidays and weekends on an occasional basis. The standard hours of work for this position are normal business hours (8:15 AM - 5:00 PM) Monday - Friday.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move 50 or more lbs. and frequently handle 20 lbs.

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

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.

Biosafety Level 3 (BSL‑3) containment laboratory work will be required for this position. In accordance with OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, employees must complete and pass a respiratory medical evaluation before performing duties in a BSL‑3 laboratory. The respiratory physical will be provided by the employer.

Additional Considerations

• Meet specific subspecialty of mycobacteriology requirement of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for technical supervisor as defined in 42 CFR 493.1449.
• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).
• Experience with molecular methods and procedures.
• Experience independently performing high complexity microbiological testing in a BSL-3 laboratory.
• Experience with the development and validation of new methods.
• Experience writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or reports of research findings/interpretations.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.