Technical Services Division Chief (Environmental Laboratory Division Chief, DEP)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection seeks a Technical Services Division Chief to lead laboratory programs, guide skilled staff, and strengthen safety and quality practices within the Bureau of Laboratories. You will coordinate major projects, ensure smooth operations within the Bureau of Laboratories, and apply data-driven methods to staffing and troubleshooting.

Telework may be available part-time after the probationary period; otherwise you may report to the

Qualifications

• Two years as a Chemist 4 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title).
• Six years of professional environmental laboratory analysis experience with two years supervisory experience and a bachelor’s degree with 30 chemistry credits.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training including supervisory experience in environmental laboratory analysis and 30 chemistry credits.

Responsibilities

• Division Oversight: Manage technical services operational activities including quality assurance, safety programs, and cross training of staff for analytical and other support services for operational initiatives.
• Coordination/Operational Management: Direct the work of laboratory and mobile analytical staff to provide support for shifting workloads across laboratory sections. Oversee the use of back up external laboratories and inventory support to provide continuity of analytical operations.
• Leadership and Technical Support: Use data driven techniques to determine technical staffing needs, quality assurance tracking and corrective actions, and operational support services.
• Data Compliance: Ensure accurate data entry in electronic systems and minimize data quality issues that impact adherence to laboratory accreditation and state regulatory standards.

Education

Bachelor's degree with at least 30 chemistry credits

Job description

THE POSITION

The Technical Services Division Chief position with the Department of Environmental Protection offers a meaningful opportunity to guide important laboratory programs that support public health and environmental protection. This role allows you to lead skilled staff, strengthen safety and quality practices, and support advanced scientific work. You will help coordinate major projects and ensure smooth operations within the Bureau of Laboratories. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys leadership, collaboration, and problem solving.

THE POSITION

The Technical Services Division Chief position with the Department of Environmental Protection offers a meaningful opportunity to guide important laboratory programs that support public health and environmental protection. This role allows you to lead skilled staff, strengthen safety and quality practices, and support advanced scientific work. You will help coordinate major projects and ensure smooth operations within the Bureau of Laboratories. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys leadership, collaboration, and problem solving.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position directs technical services for the Bureau of Laboratories by enhancing analytical support using internal staff and external laboratories, coordinating major projects and initiatives, and providing quality assurance and safety programs. As a Technical Services Division Chief, you will perform the following duties:

• Division Oversight: Manage technical services operational activities including quality assurance, safety programs, and cross training of staff for analytical and other support services for operational initiatives
• Coordination/Operational Management: Direct the work of laboratory and mobile analytical staff to provide support for shifting workloads across laboratory sections. Oversee the use of back up external laboratories and inventory support to provide continuity of analytical operations
• Leadership and Technical Support: Use data driven techniques to determine technical staffing needs, quality assurance tracking and corrective actions, and operational support services
• Data Compliance: Ensure accurate data entry in electronic systems and minimize data quality issues that impact adherence to laboratory accreditation and state regulatory standards

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time (ad hoc basis), upon successful completion of the probationary period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $89,996 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Two years as a Chemist 4 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Six years of professional experience in environmental laboratory analysis work that includes two years of supervisory experience and a bachelor’s degree that includes 30 college credits in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of professional supervisory experience in environmental laboratory analysis work and 30 college credits in chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related field.

Special Requirements

• This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements

• You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.