Title: Scientist - CR120

State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $59,000 to $74,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of General Services (DGS), Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) seeks to hire a qualified candidate to serve as a Scientist I in the Microbial Reference Group. This Scientist performs high complexity testing to detect, isolate, and further characterize antimicrobial resistant pathogens that cause severe healthcare-associated infections in humans and are routinely part of outbreak investigations. Testing includes, but is not limited to, molecular methods, clinical specimen culture, conventional microbiological techniques, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. This Scientist will participate in cross-training opportunities, quality assurance and safety initiatives, and assist in method validation and implementation. This Scientist routinely collaborates with other testing groups at DCLS and assists with providing support to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). These duties are performed independently with minimal supervision from the group manager.

This is a fill-time restricted position funded by a federal grant and includes state benefits. See DHRM Policy 2.20 Types of Employment for general terms and conditions.

Some weekend, holiday, and on call work is required.

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. DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Qualified state employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). As a full-time employee with the Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, you may be able to take advantage of this program! Visit the site Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for more information including eligibility requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for high complexity testing personnel as defined in 42 CFR 493.1489 -- Standard; Testing personnel qualifications;
• Knowledge of microbiology;
• Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures;
• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety; and
• Ability to communicate effectively.
  

Additional Considerations:

• Experience with laboratory safety practices and laboratory operations;
• Experience independently performing high complexity testing in a BSL-2 laboratory;
• Experience with clinical microbiological cultures, pathogen identification, and molecular methods;
• Experience operating and troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation;
• Experience performing and documenting QA and QC and interpreting QC data/results; and
• Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
  

Special Instructions:

You will be provided a 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.

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.

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.

Fax, e-mail or mail applications will not be accepted. The online State application must contain all required information and fully respond to the questions to be considered for this job opportunity.

For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office at jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or call 804-786-3910.

Applications will be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received. After 5 business days, this position may be closed at any time.

The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.

Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

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.

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.