PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, Opt.6E

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking a highly motivated individual to work as a Public Service Administrator. Under the general direction, subject to the provisions of CLIA ’88, USFDA, USEPA, select agent rules and ISO standards, supervises professional and technical staff, performs routine and complex microbiological testing in the Environmental Microbiology unit leading to the identification of pathogenic organisms. Trains staff to perform and interpret all Environmental microbiological procedures. Serves as a working supervisor.

Job Responsibilities

1.  Serves as a working supervisor.

• Assigns and reviews work.
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff.
• Counsels staff regarding work performance.
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs.
• Establishes annual goals and objectives.
• Approves time off.
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations.

2.  Administers a highly specialized and complex analytical chemistry and environmental microbiological work involving the safe receipt, handling, preparation and analysis of samples.

• Exercises independent judgment in performing analyses and interpreting results.
• Verifies required testing of water, food, and dairy and other samples.

3.  Performs QA/QC on sophisticated laboratory equipment.

• Calibrates equipment.
• Performs daily checks of critical components.
• Verifies equipment is in proper operating condition.
• Prepares procedures and quality assurance manuals.

4.  Develops and evaluates new technical procedures.

• Evaluates new instrumentation.
• Recommends changes in procedures and instrumentation.
• Trains staff in new techniques.

5.  Consults with and advises technical public health personnel on proper sample collection and shipment.

• Provides expertise on established laboratory procedures, policies and protocols.

6.  Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires possession of a Bachelor’s degree in biological, chemical, physical, or medical sciences.
2. Requires four years of professional laboratory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Two years’ experience in the supervision of professional chemical, environmental and clinical laboratory staff performing laboratory operations.
2. Working knowledge of methods and techniques of environmental and clinical laboratory analysis.
3. Working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of microscopes, analytical balance, and centrifuges.
4. Two years’ experience using complex specialized techniques for the detection of chemical and biological substances in environmental and clinical specimens.
5. Two years’ experience of laboratory related software programs to access, enter data, analyze and produce reports.
6. Extensive knowledge of ISO, FDA and CLIA regulations regarding environmental biochemical laboratories.
7. Two years’ experience interpreting laboratory reports using laboratory information management system.