Lead Scientist

Position Title: Lead Scientist Salary: Hourly: $36.05 || Annual: $75,000.00 How to Apply: Applications are submitted online until the position is filled and/or the posting is closed. After reviewing this job announcement, please click on the link at the bottom of the page to apply online. A resume is required with the application. Further instructions on submission of documents are available in the online application. A resume may not be substituted for an application. Minimum Requirements: Bachelors degree in microbiology, medical technology, biological, chemical laboratory sciences from an accredited institution with at least six (6) years clinical/PH laboratory experience; OR Master’s degree in microbiology, medical technology, biological, chemical laboratory sciences from an accredited institution with at least four (4) years clinical/PH laboratory experience; OR PHD in microbiology, medical technology, biological, chemical laboratory sciences from an accredited institution with at least two (2) years clinical/PH laboratory experience; OR The ability to meet the requirements of a technical supervisor within one (1) year as required by the State of PA (28 Pa. Code § 5.23(a)(1)-(3)) The following certifications are preferred: microbiologist (ASCP-M), Microbiology Specialist (SM), or Medical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP-MLS) certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathology; microbiologist (NRCM-RM) or Specialist Microbiology (NRCM-SM) registered through the National Registry of Certified Microbiologists by the American Society for Microbiology. Education & College Transcripts If you are claiming college education to meet minimum requirements or as a part of your application, including supplemental questions, you must submit or attach a copy of your official college transcripts for your claim to be accepted. Unofficial Transcripts will not be accepted. Condition of Employment It is the policy of Allegheny County that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status, and drug/medical examinations as required for the position. The pre-employment drug screen must be completed within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer of employment. Employment Type Full-time, Associate Level. Grant funded positions are contingent upon grant funding Relevant Experience You will receive a score based on the experience you report on your application for employment. It is therefore important that you provide complete and accurate information. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower than deserved score or disqualification. Call our Office of Human Resource Management if you have any questions. Who is Eligible Applications will be accepted from certified Merit System employees of the Allegheny County Health Department and outside candidates who possess the experience and training listed in this announcement and who are capable of performing the duties of this position. Weights Minimum Requirements - 50% Relevant Skills & Certifications - 40% Supplemental Questions - 10% Supplemental Questions Per the weights (above), the responses to these questions are a significant portion of how an application is scored and hold high value in screening candidates. For these pre-interview questions, in order to provide a thorough/full answer, a typical structure to an interview answer is recommended to be used, i.e. STAR approach (1. Situation/Setting, 2. Task(s) that you were tasked to do, 3. Actions which you took, 4. The result(s) of your actions). You may upload as a Word document answers to the supplemental questions in the “Upload Page” of the application. Make sure to note “See attached” after the statement on the application form if you are attaching a separate document. If you are unable to upload the document, email to ACHD Human Resources Department. Can you describe any key differences between how CLIA regulates testing personnel and how it regulates technical supervisors? Describe any work that you have done in assisting a laboratory in preparation for a CLIA inspection. Allegheny County Civil Service Employees (Non-ACHD) Regular or probationary employees of County Departments currently in this classification, hired under a State Civil Service System, who apply for this position will not be considered as Open Competitive applicants. Those employees selected for transfer to the Allegheny County Health Department will be considered to have resigned their Civil Service status from the Department in which they are currently working and will be required to complete a probationary period with the Health Department. This announcement may be modified, amended or canceled by the Allegheny County Health Department at any time. Purpose To establish open competitive and promotional eligible lists for use in making merit system appointments in the Allegheny County Health Department. The list will contain the names of successful candidates ranked in the order of final earned ratings. The list will be in effect for one (1) year unless previously exhausted or superseded. In the ranking, open competitive applicants qualifying for Veteran’s Preference receive an additional ten points on the final earned rating. Form DD-214 must be attached to the application form for consideration for Veteran’s Preference. Determination of Veteran’s Preference is made in accordance with State Civil Service Policy. If you are claiming veteran's preference, then proof of eligibility; DD-214 Form or other comparable military document must be submitted for initial claim. The document must show dates of entry and separation and character of service. Credit for a degree or college coursework can only be accepted from an official transcript submitted directly from the college or university to Allegheny County Health Department. Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. #INDSJ Position Summary: The Lead Scientist's responsibilities will include the oversight of specific functions of subordinates, microbiologists in their daily duties, performing diagnostic testing and surveillance in bacteriology, serology, or virology. The Lead Scientist is responsible for the complete analysis of tests and conducting the more complex and critical tests. This position works under the technical supervisor and CLIA laboratory director. The Allegheny County Public Health Laboratory assists the county government, surrounding counties, local health departments, and clinics across the county in disease diagnosis to aid treatment and prevention, outbreak investigation, and public health emergency response. Our services include screening for diseases of public health interest, reference support for surrounding clinics, investigation of epidemiological cases, and drug screening. Overview: Fringe Benefits Paid holidays, personal days, vacation and sick leave benefits, medical coverage and dental benefits, a retirement plan, life insurance and a deferred compensation plan after eligibility requirements have been met. Perks Working for ACHD Professional growth through training opportunities (CPR, First AID, Public Health Preparedness, Dignity and Respect, Points of Dispensing, and more); ability to advance in county system; job security; meaningfulness in daily work derived from public service; eligible for federal loan forgiveness; organizational commitment to ACHD’s mission to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Allegheny County residents, particularly the most vulnerable. Duties: Ensure that laboratory personnel are trained in proper procedures and techniques and maintain a quality performance standard. Write and update Standard Operating Procedure manual and document quality control. Monitoring quality control procedures to ensure accuracy and reliability of test result. Ensure compliance with Safety Procedures in the section and best practice. Overseeing the inventory and procurement of laboratory supplies in the designated section. Assist the Laboratory director in the maintenance of the laboratory Quality Assurance. Assign and review the work of subordinate microbiologists daily. Oversee the setting up and maintenance of laboratory equipment in designated sections, reagent preparation, and maintenance of accurate laboratory record. Responsible for the operational needs of the section, including personnel reassignment to meet workload requirements. Assist the CLIA laboratory director in the verification and validation of new methodologies and technologies. Oversee the accurate and timely testing of Proficiency Tests from HHS-approved programs. Responsible for troubleshooting issues within laboratory operations. Responds to Public Health emergencies as assigned by the Health Department. Performs other duties as required or requested. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: Virology, mycology, bacteriology and parasitology, serology, and other microbiology principles, techniques, testing procedures, disease diagnosis, and quality control measures. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations in testing procedures, reporting, and competency assessments. Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook) and Zoom. Laboratory quality assurance systems, reagent preparations, and general laboratory operations. Skill in: Laboratory Equipment Laboratory Skills Chemistry Biochemistry Databases Data Entry Report Writing Interpersonal Communication Microsoft Office Public Health Ability to: Adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks in a stressful environment. Work under pressure and meet strict deadlines. Represent ideas effectively, concisely and accurately, both orally and in writing and present themselves in a professional manner. Must be able to work in a team environment. Organized and detailed oriented. Communicate with all levels of employees. Respond to public health emergencies. Perform microbiological laboratory tests; perform complex laboratory testing; guide subordinate microbiologists; and make and keep records. Work effectively with others and provide guidance to other lower laboratory personnel. Residency: Allegheny County within 1 year. Veterans' Preference: Will be awarded to eligible candidates. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D