Chemist (22000DTV)
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) invites applicants for an ICP/MS Chemist position. In this position you will be part of a dynamic team focusing on the assurance of the improved public health through the analysis of trace metals in a variety of clinical, environmental, and food samples. As a part of the MA State Public Health Laboratory, you will have the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art laboratory and solve important analytical challenges. This position will require solid background in analytical chemistry and in-depth knowledge and understanding about instrumentation including ICP/MS, GFAA, Raman, and FTIR.
This is a lab-based position, you will be an important member of a team of scientists that develop and validate methods for the analysis of trace metals and maintain a state of readiness for testing these analytes in the case of an emergent situations. This position requires periodic surge capacity responses involving sustained laboratory effort which may involve temporary change of work hours or extended work hours, to ensure 24/7 response.
Duties and Responsibilities(these are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Ensure the functioning of the laboratory through maintenance of consumable supplies and reagents as well as instrument readiness.
- Develop competency on relevant methods, following established SOPs.
- Conduct relevant tests and ensure accurate and timely testing in ICP/MS lab.
- Work on method development and validation on ICP/MS platform for new projects including but not limited to metal quantitation and speciation in various food, environmental and clinical matrixes (or matrices).
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and bureau standards governing testing, safety, ethics, time and attendance and initiate performance improvement when appropriate.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement new technology or revised laboratory procedures.
- Participate and respond to emergency events as a function of the state public health laboratory.
Required Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the principles, theories, methods, and practices of general chemistry, analytical chemistry, and/or biochemistry.
- Understanding of the assessment of trace metals and/or chemicals in samples during specimen collection, preservation, packaging and shipping, material transport, accessioning, receipt, testing, storage, handling, and chain of custody.
- Ability to work safely with chemicals, clinical samples, and other mixed chemical/biological hazards and/or other hazards in the laboratory, including chemical threat agents.
- Comprehension of the quality assurance practices (e.g., equipment maintenance, proficiency testing, method validation, performance verification, staff competency, following standard operating procedures) specific to trace metal and/or chemical test methods in a diagnostic setting.
- Ability to follow work instructions and either work independently or in a team environment.
- Capacity to read and interpret technical manuals, journal articles, and other formal scientific materials.
- Capability to develop validation and verification protocols of methods for chemical agent detection, trace metals or other chemicals of public health or environmental importance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- In-depth knowledge of and experience in conducting analytical procedures on multiple instrument platforms including but not limited to Inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS), Raman, FTIR.
Special Requirements:
- Willingness to work under conditions of potential exposure to infectious agents or chemicals.
- Ability to meet CLIA requirements for testing personnel.
About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):
The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).
Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.
The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
About the Department of Public Health:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or academic research experience in chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Based on assignment, applicants must meet related Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) requirements for High Complexity Testing.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, or related scientific field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
II. A Master’s degree or higher with a major in chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry or related scientific field may be substituted for the required experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
Official Title: Chemist II
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-305 South Street
Job: Science
Agency: Department of Public Health
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Nov 30, 2022, 11:24:00 AM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 65,323.70 - 96,067.40 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Winston Pierre Winston.Pierre@mass.gov - 8573197225
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: No
Hybrid Work Eligible: No