Join Virginia’s State Laboratory and Make a Difference! 

Make an impact on public health and environmental safety! Join Virginia’s state laboratory as a Senior Scientist, performing critical testing and supporting emergency response efforts. If you’re detail-oriented and passionate about science, apply today to help protect communities across the Commonwealth.

Title: Senior Scientist (Inorganic Nonmetals/Water Micro) - CL253

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $69,000 - $83,000

Pay Band:

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: 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 a Senior Scientist in the Inorganic Nonmetals/Water Micro Group 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 Inorganic Nonmetals Water Micro Group provides high volume chemical testing of surface water, groundwater, environmental and drinking water. This group provides laboratory data to multiple state agencies including Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water to ensure the citizens of the Commonwealth have safe water to drink and to enjoy recreational outdoor activities.

As a Senior Scientist in the Inorganic Nonmetals/Water Micro Group, job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform moderate and high complexity testing, monitors quality assurance and trains others to perform testing.
• Oversees method development, verification and validation activities performed by others.
• Monitors quality assurance and trains others to perform testing, exercises a high degree of independence and technical expertise.
• Serves in a team lead capacity or as technical specialist. Prioritizes, schedules and coordinates laboratory testing of others.
• Supports DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working within a certified laboratory.
• Experience performing and documenting interpretations of data and QC to meet quality assurance requirements.
• Experience working with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Considerable comprehensive knowledge of the theory and application of chemical and/or microbiological principles.
• Knowledge and experience in chemical quantitative analyses, and various matrix preparation methods.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices for the handling of chemical, microbiological, infectious or toxic materials, as applicable.
• Skill in the application, operation, and troubleshooting of complex laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Ability to coordinate, prioritize, and review the work of others.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and ability to work well on a team.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.
• Ability to work occasional weekends as needed for workflow purposes. Ability to work nights as needed for emergency coverage. The standard hours of work for this position are normal business hours (8:15 AM - 5:00 PM) Monday - Friday.

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 also pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Additional Considerations

• Experience with validation of analytical methods and instrumentation.
• Experience serving as a team leader.
• Experience in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and/or grants.
• Experience with inorganics testing instrumentation such as ion chromatographs, segmented flow analyzers, elemental analyzers, total organic carbon analyzer and gravimetric analysis.
• Knowledge of The NELAC Institute Standards or ISO 17025 standard.
• Experience independently performing complex routine and emergency analyses.
  

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.

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 June 9, 2026.

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.

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.