Title: Lab Sciences Manager

State Role Title: Salary Non-Specified

Hiring Range: Hiring range for this position is $116,077 - $133,489, commensurate with education and experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Location: VA Cannabis Control Authority

Agency Website: https://cca.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Lab Science Manager is responsible for conducting scientific, technical, and regulatory audits and inspections of cannabis testing facilities to ensure compliance with state laws, accreditation standards, and approved analytical methods. The position evaluates laboratory operations, reviews data integrity and quality systems, and provides expert guidance on corrective actions. The Lab Science Manager serves as a subject matter expert in laboratory practices and plays a critical role in protecting public health by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of cannabis testing results.

Laboratory Inspection & Compliance Assessment

• Conduct routine and for cause inspections of cannabis testing facilities.
• Evaluate laboratories for compliance with regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, and approved methodologies.
• Document findings, assess risks, and issue corrective action requirements when deficiencies are identified.

Regulatory Knowledge & Accreditation Standards (ISO/IEC 17025)

• Interpret and apply state cannabis/hemp testing regulations and certification requirements.
• Assess laboratory compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 principles, including quality systems, technical requirements, and documentation.
• Review accreditation reports, proficiency testing records, and corrective actions for completeness and adequacy.

Analytical Chemistry & Scientific Methodology

• Assess the appropriateness and scientific validity of testing methods used for potency, terpenes, contaminants, microbiology, pesticides, residual solvents, and heavy metals.
• Evaluate laboratory instruments for proper calibration, maintenance, and performance verification.
• Determine whether methods meet sensitivity, accuracy, specificity, and validation expectations.

Quality Assurance, Data Integrity & Documentation

• Review testing facility QA/QC programs, control charts, method validation records, and SOP adherence.
• Audit data integrity practices, including sample tracking, electronic data management, and chain of custody procedures.
• Verify that test results are supported by defensible, reproducible, and traceable data.

Safety & Risk Mitigation in Laboratory Environments

• Inspect and audit testing facilities for compliance with safety policies, chemical handling requirements, and environmental health standards.
• Identify potential hazards and ensure corrective actions reduce risk to staff and the public.
• Confirm implementation of OSHA and hazardous materials protocols.

Communication, Reporting & Enforcement Documentation

• Prepare clear and detailed inspection reports outlining findings, deficiencies, and corrective action requirements.
• Explain complex analytical and regulatory issues to laboratory personnel, industry stakeholders, and agency leadership.
• Provide expert testimony or technical support during enforcement actions when necessary.

Professional Oversight & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as a scientific subject matter expert to state officials, industry representatives, and accredited laboratories.
• Provide training, guidance, and technical assistance to laboratory personnel on compliance expectations.
• Collaborate with accreditation bodies, regulatory agencies, and scientific partners to ensure consistent and transparent oversight.

Continuous Improvement & Program Evaluation

• Evaluate inspection procedures and recommend improvements to regulatory oversight processes.
• Monitor trends in laboratory technology, testing challenges, and emerging contaminants.
• Propose policy and regulatory updates based on scientific advancements and industry needs.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of analytical testing methods used for cannabis and hemp products.
• Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 standards and laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Ability to evaluate laboratory quality systems, documentation, and data integrity.
• Skill in understanding and assessing laboratory instrumentation and analytical methods.
• Ability to conduct detailed inspections and identify technical or regulatory deficiencies.
• Skill in writing clear and defensible scientific inspection reports.
• Ability to communicate complex regulatory and scientific information to diverse audiences.
• Skilled in assessing risk, recommending corrective actions, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, or a closely related laboratory science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an accredited analytical laboratory, regulatory compliance role, or laboratory inspection environment.
• Experience working with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, GC MS, ICP MS, and microbiological testing systems.
• Experience interpreting and applying scientific regulations or accreditation standards.

 

Additional Considerations

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or PhD in a laboratory science or related discipline.
• Experience inspecting or auditing analytical laboratories.
• Experience with cannabis and hemp testing requirements, regulations, or accreditation processes.
• Experience writing enforcement documentation or supporting regulatory decision making.

 

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.

 

Contact Information

Name: Aaron Cohen

Phone: (804) 653-9735

Email: aaron.cohen@cca.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.

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please call (804)653-9490 for assistance.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.