Dfs: Supervisory Chemist

General Job Information

Job Summary

This position is located in the District of Columbia Government, Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS), Public Health Laboratory (PHL) Division. The mission of the DFS PHL is to protect human health and the environment through the provision of analytical and diagnostic laboratory services that support broad public health goals and the specific health concerns of citizens and visitors to the District of Columbia.The PHL provides clinical diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, emergency response support, applied research, laboratory training, and other essential services through its seven units:

Accessioning Unit, Bioterrorism Unit, BioWatch Unit, Clinical Toxicology Unit, Immunology-Virology Unit, Microbiology Unit, and Molecular Diagnostics Unit. The PHL is a member of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and operates a Tier 1 Bioterrorism and a Tier 2 Chemical Terrorism laboratory. As an LRN laboratory, the PHL provides emergency preparedness and response functions to support investigations of chemical or biological terrorism.

The Supervisory Chemist serves as the Clinical Toxicology Unit (CTU) General Supervisor and the PHL Chemical Terrorism Coordinator, and they are responsible for the day-to-day supervision of testing personnel and reporting of test results within the Unit. The incumbent oversees the examination of clinical and environmental specimens to detect and quantify several chemicals of public health concern (e.g., nerve agents, cyanide, ricin, toxic metals, volatile organic compounds) using analytical chemistry techniques including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as the Clinical Toxicology Unit (CTU) General Supervisor and the Public Health Laboratory (PHL) Chemical Terrorism Coordinator. They serve as the lead technical specialist in at least two analytical instrument platforms utilized in CTU (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS). They utilize standard operating procedures (SOPs) to perform high complexity testing, and they ensure that laboratory tests are accurately performed and that results are reported in a timely manner.

They develop, validate, and write SOPs for new analytical test methodologies that are of programmatic interest to CTU. The incumbent verifies adherence to quality control procedures, safety standards, and other established criteria. They investigate and resolve nonconformance and corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs). They ensure that accreditation is maintained by complying with the appropriate national accrediting organization(s), and they engage in continuous process and service level improvements.

The incumbent assists in the planning, development, and evaluation of all training efforts for subordinate laboratory personnel. They review and maintain competency records for trained laboratory staff within established timeframes.

They formally evaluate the performance of subordinate laboratory personnel, and they counsel them on the steps that are necessary to improve their performance. They determine the personnel, equipment, supply, and facilities needs of CTU, and they translate these needs into written justifications and procurement requests.

Qualifications and Education

The incumbent should have a doctoral, masters, or bachelor's degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology, from an accredited institution. They should have at least 3 years of laboratory experience in a clinical chemistry and/or clinical toxicology laboratory regulated under CLIA/CAP/COLA.

Previous supervisory experience in a clinical chemistry and/or clinical toxicology laboratory is preferred but not required.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is performed in an office setting and laboratory setting. The office setting is when preparing documentation and the laboratory setting is during the testing and analysis phase.

The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous materials, toxic substances, and blood borne pathogens and is required to follow safe laboratory practices and wear protective clothing gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles, radiation badges, aprons, gloves, and shields, etc. and to adopt sterile techniques. The nature of the DFS mission necessarily involves the potential risks associated with biological or chemical hazards, including morgue functions. Although contact with these functions is intended to be minimal, the risks are nevertheless possible; training to recognize, address, and mitigate these risks is required as is dealing with potentially personally difficult topics, such as crime, death, and disease.

Other Significant Factors

Tour of Duty: 8:30am to 5:00pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-1320-13

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Type of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS). Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Position Suitability: This position has been deemed Safety Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual and is subject to mandatory pre-employment and periodic criminal background checks and traffic records checks (as applicable). This position is also subject to mandatory pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing. In this position, you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana in test results, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.

Position Designation: This position has been designated as Essential and acceptance of this offer confirms you agree to adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding essential/emergency employees.

As an emergency employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference" will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.