Principal Scientist - Laboratory Certification Officer #CL256& #CL612

Title: Principal Scientist - CL256

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $84,000 - $97,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) is responsible for certifying and accrediting laboratories to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations meant to protect the public's health and the environment. DCLS conducts on-site evaluations on a routine basis in accordance with Virginia's regulations to ensure the laboratories have the appropriate quality systems and analytical procedures in place in to produce accurate, reliable, and defensible test results.

Job Duties

The Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services is seeking two qualified applicants to conduct laboratory certification inspections of public and private environmental laboratories for compliance with Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) regulations (Virginia Administrative Code 1VAC30-45 & 46). The Certification Officers will evaluate laboratory facilities, personnel, equipment, instrumentation, analytical methodology, and procedures. They conduct certification inspections throughout the state to ensure compliance with regulations. The Certification Officers conduct full record reviews, pre-and post-audit conferences and prepare written reports and correspondence. They also review and track corrective actions submitted by laboratories to ensure compliance and issue accreditation certificates upon satisfactory completion of the requirements.

The selected candidate must pass a DMV driver’s license check.

Completion of Statement of Economic Interest is required prior to first day of employment.

This position will be located in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule (telework up to 1 days/week) after 6 months of satisfactory performance and upon completion of an approved telework agreement.

DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  

Qualified state employees may be eligible for student loan forgiveness through the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). As a full-time employee with the Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, you may be able to take advantage of this program! Visit the site Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for more information including eligibility requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline or have commensurate experience acquired by having performed verified assessments of environmental laboratories.

-    Certification as a TNI Assessor is required within first year (successful completion of the Basic Assessor course (as well as at          least one technical specialty course)
-    Successful completion of the initial training courses is required.

*Regulatory Citations: 2016 TNI V2M3 4.2.3, 1VAC30-46-200 A

• Laboratory experience using principles of Chemistry and/or Microbiology and using laboratory procedures in Chemistry and/or Microbiology
• Experience in quality assurance principles and practices
• Basic competence in the use of spreadsheets and word processing (example: MS Office Products)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Valid Driver's License is required.

Additional Considerations

• Work experience in the testing of environmental samples for compliance under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and/or Clean Air Act.
• Work experience in one or more of the following technical disciplines assessed by DCLS Laboratory Certification Officers:
  o Bacteriology
  o Inorganic Chemistry / Non-Metals
  o Metals
  o Oxygen Demand Testing (e.g., Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD))
  o Physical Testing (e.g., Gravimetric Testing such as Residue-Non-Filterable/Total Suspended Solids (TSS))
  o Organic Chemistry
  o Radiochemistry
  o Asbestos (by Polarized Light Microscopy)
  o Aquatic Toxicity / Whole Effluent Toxicity Testing (WETT)
   
• Work experience providing considerable knowledge of one or more of the technical disciplines and specialties assessed by DCLS Laboratory Certification Officers, listed above.
   
• Advanced skills and/or work-related experience applicable to the assessment of laboratory quality.
• Detailed understanding of quality assurance concepts.
   
• Advanced skills and/or experience creating and using spreadsheets to manage complex data sets or solve problems.
   
• Experience in independently prioritizing, scheduling, and coordinating multiple simultaneous timelines and responsibilities.
   
• Thorough knowledge of applicable regulations and/or manuals or standards incorporated by reference into the regulations (e.g., 1VAC30-41, 1VAC30-45, 1VAC30-46, EPA Drinking Water Manual, TNI Standard, ISO 17025).
   
• Experience in leading a team to complete projects.
   
• Experience in delivering outstanding customer service.
   
• Experience in organizing and managing multiple simultaneous projects and deadlines.
   
• Experience in working cooperatively with other staff members in a team environment to seek out mutually agreeable solutions to problems.