Address:  250 N. 17th Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $46,729 

Grade: 16

Manages the activities of the Shipping/Receiving section. Work includes overseeing daily operations and activities related to the receipt of specimens/samples. This includes: preparation and shipping of specimen/sample collection kits and shipping containers, receiving and managing supplies, analyzing operations, identifying problems and recommending solutions. Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, quality assurance and administrative procedures and requirements. Assists in evaluating budget requests. Develops standards for achieving strategic operations and goals. Responsible for supervising, evaluating, monitoring and training staff and providing customer service. Serves as an authority, technical resource, and positive role model.

Supervises the Shipping and Receiving section. Conducts or oversees staff training. Ensures changes to procedures are communicated so that all employees understand and acknowledge. Coaches employees on performance and conducts performance evaluations. Coordinates posting of vacant positions, including updating position descriptions, and participates in the interview and selection process.
Plans, assigns and delegates tasks to ensure maximum productivity and adherence to standard operating procedures. Ensures compliance with the FedEx/DOT/IATA/OSHA/CDC regulations regarding shipment of clinical specimens, infectious substances and hazardous materials; and with CLIA, ISO and other requirements as they apply to specimen collection devices.
Analyzes operations, identifies problems, works with the quality unit to prepare corrective actions and revise procedures as necessary. Collaborates with laboratory testing, quality assurance and program staff to resolve any issues with specimens and to identify appropriate specimen collection materials; identify which submitters are eligible for supplies provided by each program; and to ensure compliance with program requirements.
Ensures that the customer service needs of submitters, programs, and laboratory staff are met. Communicates with submitters and program staff to provide information regarding specimen and sample submission and resolve problems with shipments. Solves logistical and technical problems. Documents and researches customer complaints to determine appropriate resolution of problem.
Ensures security and containment of staff, samples, lab supplies and equipment. Ensures that staff can distinguish between biohazardous and nonbiohazardous materials and implements control measures and work practices. Ensures that staff are in compliance with the laboratory's safety plans including physical security.
Ensures adequate inventory of supplies are maintained while making effective use of available resources and determine operational minimum and maximum levels.
Assist with oversight of contracted courier that picks up and delivers samples to the lab. Ensures that the list of locations on the web site is maintained and current, ensures that contact information for the courier is maintained and verifies information regularly by attending meetings and communicating with the courier. Responsible for addressing, or assisting in addressing, issues with courier complaints.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:
- Extensive laboratory terminology.
- Shipping regulations.
- Shipping, handling, and labeling requirements for sending and receiving collection kits and specimens.
- Procedures to order stockroom supplies and specimen collection kit components from the various sections and vendors.
- Processing procedures for the specimen and sample types received in the laboratory.
- Writing and reviewing standard operating procedures.
- Safety and security procedures.
-Use of scientific reference material
-Safe handling and decontamination of biological and chemical waste
-Quality control and quality assurance practices
-Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Skills in:
- Efficient and safe operation of office and laboratory equipment.
- Teaching and training.
- Supervising, to including: advising, directing, reviewing, evaluating and approving.
- Effective communication necessary
- Computer operation, including: network procedures, Microsoft Office including Word and Excel, Google work suite, and internal laboratory information management system.
- Data entry, data retrieval, and report generation.
-Organizational skills
-Record keeping
-Trouble shooting technical issues

Ability to:
- Learn personnel policies and procedures.
- Manual dexterity.
- Multi-task.
- Organize and prioritize requests for services from many individuals, both internal and external to the laboratory.
- Work independently.
- Problem solve.
- Learn analytical services provided by our laboratory, the agencies we provide these services to, and the proper collection kits and laboratory forms required for submitting specimens.
- Assist the general public, couriers and laboratory staff with problems concerning laboratory specimens.
-Operate scientific equipment
-Communicate with staff, supervisors and managers
-Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

At least one year of experience with the following: shipping and receiving specimens, processing, and entering into a laboratory information management system.

Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment.
Requires the individual to either have current Shipping of Infectious and Biological Substances Division 6.2 IATA training or to obtain training as soon as it is offered or within one year of hire.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
− Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing hr.recruitment@azdhs.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.