Ready to make a real impact? Protect the Commonwealth and advance your career as a Senior Scientist on Virginia’s frontline, where science drives mission‑critical emergency response. In this role, 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.

Title: Senior Scientist (Biological Threat Emergency Response) - CR559 

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 - 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.

About the Biological Threat Emergency Response Group 
The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services’ (DCLS) Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER) is a premier all‑hazards emergency response laboratory serving the Commonwealth and the nation. BTER provides rapid, high‑quality laboratory testing and analytical support to hundreds of local, state, and federal partners.

Our collaborators include the Virginia Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as well as federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Homeland Security (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 the 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.

As a Senior Scientist in the Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER), 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, molecular, and immunological 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 Requirements:

• Must meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for a general supervisor in a high complexity-testing laboratory as defined by 42 CFR 493.1461. 
• Experience working in clinical laboratory testing.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures and interpreting data.
• Experience serving as a team leader and/or training staff.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight while leading, training, and coordinating the laboratory testing activities of others.
• Work related experience with Polymerase Chain Reaction (Standard and Real-Time) testing, conventional microbiology procedures and/or immunoassays.
• 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 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.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move 50 or more lbs. and frequently handle 20 lbs.

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.

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 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 with nucleic acid extraction from a variety of matrices.
• Experience working with Select Agents.
• Experience with computerized laboratory information management systems (LIMS), spreadsheets, MS Office products, and/or laboratory software programs.
• Knowledge of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations.

Special Instructions

BSL-3 Requirement:
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.

Federal Select Agent Program:
To comply with Federal Select Agent Program, 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.

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.

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 July 22, 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.

Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer. In order to comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogen requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine.

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.

From July 1, 2026, through January 21, 2029, applicants who were terminated from a position of employment with the federal government on or after January 1, 2025 due to a reduction in the federal budget or initiatives put in place by the federal Department of Government Efficiency may be eligible for HB494 Federal Employee Priority Consideration. Applicants seeking HB494 Federal Employee Priority Consideration must identify themselves within the state application process and provide supporting documentation, including a Standard Form 50 (SF-50), verifying their eligibility. 

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.