Lead advanced laboratory science and drive innovation at Virginia’s State Lab.  

The Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is seeking a highly experienced Principal Scientist to provide technical leadership and drive advanced laboratory operations that protect public health and the environment.

Apply today and help shape the future of public health in Virginia!

Title: Principal Scientist - Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER) – CR590 

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $86,000 - $99,000

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 Principal Scientist in the  Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER), 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; the Consolidated Laboratory also directs Commonwealth’s environmental laboratory accreditation program.

The Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER): Virginia's DCLS 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).

Laboratory investigations of unknown or targeted substances potentially associated with acts of terrorism are tested using a multi-disciplinary approach which allows for the identification and confirmation of biological, chemical and radiologic agents. Testing is performed on a wide range of sample types including human clinical, environmental and food samples.

As Principal Scientist in the Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER), job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serves as workgroup leader and performs testing as required by supervisor or during periods of emergency or high volume of submissions.
• Assists Lead Scientists and/or Group Manager in preparing grant applications, tracking grant objectives and progress, and providing routine reports.
• Designs and leads validations and verifications of new instrumentation and methodologies.
• Provides technical project management under direction of Group Manager or Chief of Operations.
• Provides technical and troubleshooting guidance for laboratory instrumentation and test methods.
• Provides highly technical consultation to agency users, program managers, laboratory staff, and physicians on the interpretation of analytical results.
• Participates in LIMS development, user testing, and system validation activities to ensure the timely and accurate release of results, as requested.

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.

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for technical supervisor in a high complexity testing laboratory as defined by 42 CFR 493.1449.   
• Experience in Molecular Biology testing.
• Experience serving as a team leader with the ability to prioritize, schedule, and coordinate laboratory testing of others.      
• Experience with safe laboratory practices.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures and how to properly document and interpret QC data.
• Experience training staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and work in a team environment.

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.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience performing high complexity, high volume Polymerase Chain Reaction (Standard and Real-Time) testing.
• Experience with computerized laboratory information management systems (LIMS); spreadsheets, MS Office products, and/or laboratory software programs.
• Experience with nucleic acid extraction from a variety of matrices.
• Experience with MALDI-TOF bacterial identification methodologies.
• Experience with microbial identification techniques and bacterial culture setup.
• Experience with the development and validation of new methods.
• Experience with CLIA regulations and audits.   
• Experience working in a BSL-3 laboratory. 

Special Instructions

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. Please be sure that all your relevant qualifications and considerations are specifically addressed in your submitted application. Online applications should be submitted via jobs.virginia.gov.

Fax, e-mail, or mail applications will not be accepted. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application has been successfully submitted. Applications will continue to be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received, but this position may be closed at any time after May 15, 2026.

Please refer to the “Your Application” page in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

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. DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

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.

To comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogens requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine, and bacterial meningitis vaccines. Biosafety Level 3 containment laboratory work is necessary and has associated vaccines, as appropriate. The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard is required for BSL-3 laboratory duties and involves passing a respiratory physical prior to working in a BSL-3 laboratory. The respiratory physical and required vaccines will be provided by the employer.

DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.

Due to the critical nature of the work performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and the requirements and responsibilities placed upon DCLS by the Drug Free Workplace Act, Federal Select Agent Program, and DHRM Policy 1.05 Alcohol and other Drugs, it is the policy of DCLS to maintain a workplace that is free from the harmful effects of alcohol or other drugs. The unlawful or unauthorized use of drugs by DCLS employees while at work adversely impacts DCLS’s ability to perform high quality analytical testing services and support for local, state and federal agencies that serve to protect the health, safety and security of the public. As such, DCLS strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, prohibits employees from possessing or using alcohol, marijuana or any controlled substances (including, but not limited to prescription drugs) while in state owned vehicles, in the workplace or on DCLS premises, or when performing official work duties.   

Applicants that indicate they have preferential hiring rights in the form of a yellow form or blue card must submit these to our office prior to the closing of the posting, in accordance with DHRM policy 1.30. Please note that only current and former employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia that will be or have been laid off are eligible for preferential hiring rights.

The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer and a proud Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified employer. Individuals from minoritized groups, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information

Name: DGS Human Resources

Phone: 804-786-3910

Email: jobs@dgs.virginia.gov

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.