Supervisor, Environmental Microbiology - (230003QX)
The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory at the Department of Public Health offers an opportunity for a professional with a strong clinical and environmental microbiology laboratory background to oversee the Dairy, Food, and Wastewater laboratory sections in the Division of Clinical Microbiology. The incumbent in this position will be responsible for oversight of staff scheduling, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of results shared with submitting agencies, and messaging about those results. This person will ensure adequate inventory to perform all tests and will work with the division director to ensure the most current test methods and instrumentation are used. This person will also be instrumental in the implementation of expanded diagnostics specific to the area of wastewater testing. The candidate will collaborate with both internal and external partners including laboratory colleagues in diagnostic microbiology, environmental health, molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, quality assurance, epidemiologists, and medical professionals, and external partners such as local clinical labs, and infectious disease physicians across Massachusetts, and professionals at the CDC other state and local laboratory programs. The person in this position must meet the qualifications of technical supervisor under CLIA.
Please note that this position is required to report to the office five days per week.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Oversees daily operations of the environmental microbiology lab section, including food, dairy, and wastewater testing.
- Serves as a lead member of the MA Working Group on Foodborne Illness Control and the Food Emergency Response Network.
- Supervises molecular testing of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance detection from food and human bacterial isolates related to foodborne outbreak surveillance, detection, and response.
- Collaborates with supervisors in Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics and Virology, and Core Sequencing and Bioinformatics, as needed.
- Follow the quality management program requirements to ensure that all certification and accreditation requirements, including training and competency, are met; ensures compliance with the ISO 17025 standard where appropriate.
- Comply with all safety and security protocols.
- Maintains registration status with the CDC Select Agent and Toxin Program.
- Provide technical oversight to laboratory personnel concerning laboratory activities to ensure proper diagnosis, to correct operating deficiencies, and to improve the productivity of the laboratory.
- Perform related duties as required to include but not limited to participation/contribution to LIMS implementation and processes associated with building renovation.
- Communicates effectively with epidemiologists, clinicians, and local board of health contacts regarding test results.
Required Qualifications:
- Knowledge of basic microbiological, immunological, and molecular biology techniques. These include Understanding of basic microbial culture techniques, antimicrobial resistance markers, biochemical tests, serology, sequencing, and nucleic acid-based detection assays.
- Awareness of the quality assurance practices (e.g., equipment maintenance, proficiency testing, method validation, staff competency, following standard operating procedures) specific to microbiology, immunological, and molecular biology test methods in a diagnostic setting.
- Skilled to perform calculations, measurements, and unit conversion calculations.
- Means to effectively and professionally communicate, orally and in writing, and to prepare concise technical reports.
- Knowledge of laboratory certifications and accreditations to ensure adherence to certification and accreditation requirements to meet regulatory requirements.
- Capacity to coordinate assignments for microbiological sample storage, handling, and specimen retention, and packaging and shipping of infectious substances.
- Able to give oral and written instructions in a precise and understandable manner.
- Capability to oversee and review work of others; including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of employees and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations of work.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Awareness of the principles of identification of bacterial pathogens of public health concern.
- Understanding of established and new methods for bacterial identification in a diagnostic and environmental setting.
- Experience with laboratory information management systems and results messaging.
- ASCP certification.
- Experience with bacterial isolation and identification methods.
- Knowledge of proper use and safety of a biosafety cabinet and a BSL3 laboratory.
- Experience with automated microbiology instrumentation.
- Knowledge and experience with detection of antimicrobial resistance elements of public health concern.
- Understanding of CLIA regulations.
- Comprehension of Select Agent regulations.
Special Requirements:
This position will require work in the BSL-3 laboratory. In the context of work in a BSL-3 environment the successful candidate must understand the following:
- All Tier 1 Staff will undergo a security risk assessment (SRA), which includes signing a confidentiality statement, and renewal every three years.
- Working conditions include potential exposure to infectious agents.
- All Tier 1 designated staff who may be exposed to Tier 1 Biological Select Agents and Toxins (BSAT) must complete OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (29 CFR 1910.134 Appendix C), be evaluated and determined able to wear a respirator before working in any HSLI laboratory (Tier 1, non Tier1, and non SAT) that requires a respirator.
- All Tier 1 designated staff are subject to ongoing suitability assessment to ensure compliance with federal regulations regarding Tier 1 Select Agents. Failure to pass the SRA and/or suitability assessment required for access to Tier 1 BSAT may result in being laid off if no other resolution is reached.
As part of the pre-hire process, you will be required to submit transcript(s) for review for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) verification process.
If selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to submit an official transcript from each accredited academic institution to verify the above.
Please note that we will be unable to move forward with your application for this position if you do not meet CLIA qualifications.
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 nine (9) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or academic research experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory technology, of which (B) at least three (3) years must have been in a supervisory, administrative or in a leadership capacity, or 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.
Substitutions:
I. A Master’s degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology or related scientific field, may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
II. A Doctoral degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology or related scientific field, may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) 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: Microbiologist V
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-305 South Street
Job: Science
Agency: Department of Public Health
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Mar 13, 2023, 4:09:03 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 83,659.16 - 123,465.94 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Sandra Semedo Sandra.C.Semedo@mass.gov - 6173524250
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: No