Title: Deputy Director - Regulatory and Operational Compliance - CL025

State Role Title: Scientist Manager II

Hiring Range: $158,000 - $165,000

Pay Band: 6

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 an experienced executive to serve as one of two Deputy Directors 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 200 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 an active member of multiple laboratory networks led by federal agencies including but not limited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, to ensure a ready state of laboratory preparedness and surge capacity.

The Deputy Director position will report directly to the Laboratory Director and will work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to promote the role of the public health laboratory and DCLS’ mission of “promoting a healthier, safer world through quality laboratory service”.

This new laboratory leadership position will serve as the backup to the high complexity laboratory director when not on site to ensure quality assurance continuity in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment requirements and will serve as one of the Alternate Responsible Officials for the Federal Select Agent Program. Other responsibilities include ensuring regulatory and operational compliance, establishment, tracking and review of division metrics to drive operational efficiency and project tracking/management, state and federal legislative and policy tracking and compliance, providing project management support, as needed, for applied research, administrative and technical initiatives.

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 educational and personnel qualifications stated in 42 CFR, Part 493, Subpart M and be certified by a Board approved by HHS [§.493.1443(b)] to manage and direct laboratory personnel and the performance of high complexity testing.
• Maintain security clearance to serve as the Responsible or Alternate Responsible Official for the Federal Select Agent Program
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with laboratory operations in a CLIA certified testing laboratory
• Experience serving in a leadership role in a large laboratory setting
• Extensive technical knowledge and experience in the areas of laboratory safety, security and quality assurance.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with personnel and project management
• Extensive experience monitoring and maintaining regulatory compliance to state and federal laws and regulations (ie. CLIA, TNI, ISO17025, OSHA, Federal Select Agent Program, etc.)
  

Additional Considerations

• Experience with strategic planning, LEAN Six Sigma implementation, and the development of detailed reports and/or dashboards to track key performance indicators, milestones and metrics.
• Experience with the development and execution of drills and audits to evaluate the effectiveness of existing safety, security and other laboratory policies and procedures.
• Experience with laboratory facility design, planning and construction
• Knowledge and experience with continuity of operations planning and incident management logistics
• Experience with legal document handling, chain of custody and record retention procedures.

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.

Staff performing work with Select Agents must also pass an FBI background security check.

Completion of Statement of Economic Interest is required prior to first day of employment.

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

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.

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.

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: 804-768-3910

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.