Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technician

The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL) at the Department of Public Health (DPH) offers an exciting seasonal opportunity for dynamic individuals to participate in vector-borne disease surveillance in Massachusetts. Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technicians will develop skills in field biology, identifying mosquito habitat, and utilizing an array of traps to trap mosquitoes throughout the state. Additionally, Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technicians will be working in a BSL-II laboratory, speciating mosquitoes and preparing samples for molecular testing. Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technicians will work adjacent to members of the molecular diagnostic team and have opportunities to gain valuable skills in in data maintenance and analytics.

Please note: These positions are seasonal and do not offer employee benefits with the exception of paid holidays and sick time accruals. The expected work schedule is flexible including some weekends. Expected end date is October 12th, 2024.

Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences. 

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Set traps targeting arthropod disease vectors in locations throughout Massachusetts following a variable work week.
• Sort arthropod catch and identify to species, sex, and life stage to prepare for virus testing.
• Maintain a program of quality control of reagents, equipment, and methods; participate in a program of quality assurance and take corrective action when needed.
• Operating state vehicles all over the state of Massachusetts, in occasional off-road environments.
• Record all pertinent capture information regarding location, trap type, etc.
• Assist in rearing and identification of mosquito larvae.
• Ensure cleanliness and sterilization of laboratory equipment and maintain field-collecting equipment including trap sites and State-owned Vehicles as needed.
• Enter information into database for surveillance of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and run audits to check all entries from MASPHL customers (Mosquito Control Districts).
• May generate summaries of test results.
• Field work may be performed in rain and rugged terrain.
• May assist in testing and other duties with proper training and supervision.

Required Qualifications:

• Able to follow written and oral instructions and maintain accurate records.
• Capacity to communicate effectively in oral expression and write clearly and concisely.
• Capable to exercise sound judgment.
• Able to work in a team setting.
• Capability to understand and apply policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Ability to determine proper format and procedures for assembling items of information.
• General knowledge of laboratory testing techniques and methods; including sample collection, knowledge of sanitation and sterilization methods, techniques and procedures followed in a laboratory.
• Experience working with the types and uses of sterilization equipment and devices used in a laboratory and proper methods used in the disposal of laboratory materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of mosquito surveillance in tracking disease.
• Understanding of the different species of mosquitoes and ticks.
• Mastery of wetland assessment and various traps set up & collection.
• Knowledge of laboratory, field & insectary safety procedures and policies.
• General knowledge and experience of mosquito and/or tick surveillance in tracking disease, species of mosquitoes and/or ticks and experience with ovitraps and mosquito rearing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for interacting effectively with a variety of individuals.
• Capacity to work in a team setting and demonstrate an appropriate level of professionalism.
• Able to multitask and work accurately under stress of time constraints and heavy workload demands.
• Skilled attention to detail, while maintaining neat and orderly work habits in a shared workspace.
• Proficient use of data management software and Microsoft applications such as Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Working Conditions:

• Must be willing to work in an environment exposed to harmful effects of chemicals, gases, fumes, inflammable and pathogenic materials and dangerous equipment infectious agents.
• Willing to work outdoors in swamps and forest, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
• Must be willing to work a flexible seven day schedule including weekends (Saturdays & Sundays trapping).
• Must be willing some holidays and may stand for prolonged periods of time. Ideal candidate will be able to work through mid-October.
• Field work requires transporting objects weighing ~ 30 pounds (on average) for an average distance of 300 feet.

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. # 4

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in laboratory work in a recognized clinical, medical, hospital, chemical, water quality, public health, biological, bacteriological, marine sciences or materials testing laboratory, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate’s degree or higher with a major in medical technology, chemistry, bacteriology, food science and technology, environmental science, chemical or environmental engineering, wastewater technology, oceanography or the biological sciences may be substituted for the required experience.

II. The successful completion of one year of full-time, or equivalent part-time, education toward a degree at a recognized medical or dental school may be substituted for the required experience.

III. The successful completion of training in a recognized school or hospital course or an American Medical Association (AMA) approved training program for laboratory technicians or medical technologists may be substituted for the required experience.

IV. Registration as a medical technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, the International Society for Clinical Laboratory Technicians or American Medical Technologists or as a bacteriologist by the National Registry of Microbiologists may be substituted for the required experience.

Special Requirements: None.

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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

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: Laboratory Technician I
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-305 South Street
Job: Laboratory Services
Agency: Department of Public Health
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Apr 19, 2024, 2:36:27 PM
Number of Openings: 2
Salary: 50,001.12 – 71,456.06 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Luciana M. Hayner / Luciana.M.Hayner@mass.gov – 6173981891
Bargaining Unit: 09-MOSES – Engineers/Scientists
Confidential: No
Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: No