What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemist 4, Supervisor DOH8767 position at Washington State Department of Health?
Description
Chemist 4
Public Health Laboratories, Shoreline, WA | Onsite/In Person | NON-PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
This Non-Permanent Appointment has a duration of 6 months.
The Opportunity
Join the team that safeguards the health of every newborn in Washington. As a Chemist 4, you’ll lead the daily work of the Newborn Screening Laboratory, ensuring that infants receive timely and accurate screening results for preventable heritable conditions. You will guide a skilled team, support program planning, improve laboratory processes, and help maintain a service that families across the state rely on from day one.
Key Responsibilities
Your work directly protects the health of newborns across the state. You are part of a mission driven laboratory that blends public health impact with high technical standards. You will influence operations, mentor emerging professionals, strengthen quality systems, and shape the future of newborn screening alongside a knowledgeable and collaborative leadership team. This is hands on, meaningful work with clear outcomes and a strong sense of purpose.
The Ideal candidate
You thrive in a fast paced laboratory environment where accuracy and reliability matter. You bring a steady leadership style, a commitment to coaching and developing others, and an ability to balance technical work with people centered supervision. You navigate operational challenges with calm problem solving, communicate clearly with staff and partners, and stay focused on quality, safety, and service. You are energized by teamwork, continuous improvement, and the responsibility of supporting a program that families depend on every single day.
Required Qualifications
We value all relevant experience (paid or unpaid) and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. You must meet at least ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.
The Public Health Laboratories – Where Science Protects Communities
At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life-saving screenings, your work will drive disease detection, outbreak response, and protect Washington’s most vulnerable. We’re the state’s reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity-driven team committed to real-world impact and public health at scale.
We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. To learn more about the DOH please visit our website and connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook , and our blog .
Benefits And Lifestyle
We prioritize your work-life balance with one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, designed to support your lifestyle. At DOH, you’ll find flexibility, growth, and stability. Learn more about why we’re a great place to work by visiting Work@Health .
Conditions Of Employment
The following terms and conditions of employment must be met with or without reasonable accommodation:
Work Setting, Including Hazards
We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references directly in your Applicant Profile including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation with your application.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Veterans Preference
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.
Questions and Accommodations
If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Shawnelle Goalder at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference the assigned “DOHXXXX” recruitment number.
Technical Support
Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
SUBSCRIBE to DOH Job Alerts
Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
This position is located in King County. A 5% salary increase is included in the advertised pay.
Chemist 4
Public Health Laboratories, Shoreline, WA | Onsite/In Person | NON-PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
This Non-Permanent Appointment has a duration of 6 months.
The Opportunity
Join the team that safeguards the health of every newborn in Washington. As a Chemist 4, you’ll lead the daily work of the Newborn Screening Laboratory, ensuring that infants receive timely and accurate screening results for preventable heritable conditions. You will guide a skilled team, support program planning, improve laboratory processes, and help maintain a service that families across the state rely on from day one.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise the Newborn Screening Laboratory’s day to day operations, including scheduling, training, support, and performance development for a team of approximately nine technical staff.
- Oversee testing workflows, review atypical results, maintain quality and competency records, and coordinate method development with quality assurance and program leadership.
- Manage essential administrative operations, including equipment monitoring, supply planning, vendor coordination, workload forecasting, and routine reporting.
- Provide technical back up for lead workers, including reviewing and releasing results, troubleshooting instruments or the laboratory information system, and guiding staff on testing questions.
- Contribute to program planning, policy development, standard operating procedures, and continuous improvement of laboratory practices.
- Support emergency response activities when the agency is activated.
Your work directly protects the health of newborns across the state. You are part of a mission driven laboratory that blends public health impact with high technical standards. You will influence operations, mentor emerging professionals, strengthen quality systems, and shape the future of newborn screening alongside a knowledgeable and collaborative leadership team. This is hands on, meaningful work with clear outcomes and a strong sense of purpose.
The Ideal candidate
You thrive in a fast paced laboratory environment where accuracy and reliability matter. You bring a steady leadership style, a commitment to coaching and developing others, and an ability to balance technical work with people centered supervision. You navigate operational challenges with calm problem solving, communicate clearly with staff and partners, and stay focused on quality, safety, and service. You are energized by teamwork, continuous improvement, and the responsibility of supporting a program that families depend on every single day.
Required Qualifications
We value all relevant experience (paid or unpaid) and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. You must meet at least ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.
- Option1: 7 years of experience in a medical, clinical, and/or biochemical laboratory including 5 years of laboratory bench experience in a medical, clinical, biochemical laboratory
- Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in microbiology, chemistry, pathobiology, genetics, biology, biochemistry, medical technology, or closely allied field including at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology and/or chemistry; AND three (3) years of experience in a medical, clinical, and/or biochemical laboratory.
- A Masters degree in the above fields may substitute for 1 year of experience in option 2.
- A PhD in the above fields may substitute for 2 years of experience in option 2.
- Experience supervising, leading, or coordinating laboratory staff including scheduling, assigning work, evaluating performance, and supporting training and competency.
- Experience working in a clinical, public health, or research laboratory performing complex analytical testing.
- Experience working in a CLIA-regulated or quality-managed laboratory environment with established QA/QC systems.
- Experience troubleshooting laboratory instruments, assays, or LIMS workflows.
- Proficiency using laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and standard laboratory software.
- Experience maintaining and reviewing training records, competency assessments, and QC/QA documentation.
- Ability to interpret, evaluate, and release laboratory test results in accordance with protocols and quality standards.
- Two (2) or more years of experience leadership experience in a biological, medical, clinical, or biochemical laboratory, including responsibility for accurate and timely test results, process improvement, and resource planning.
- Experience with newborn screening workflows, assays, or follow-up processes.
- Experience with method development, verification, or validation.
- Experience in quality improvement and workflow optimization,
- Experience managing or supporting laboratory supply chains, vendor relationships, or equipment maintenance programs.
- Experience contributing to program planning, policy development, or laboratory budgeting.
- Knowledge of public health laboratory best practices including techniques, equipment, research methods, and requirements.
- Knowledge of how state and local public health agencies operate, including their roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes.
The Public Health Laboratories – Where Science Protects Communities
At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life-saving screenings, your work will drive disease detection, outbreak response, and protect Washington’s most vulnerable. We’re the state’s reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity-driven team committed to real-world impact and public health at scale.
We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. To learn more about the DOH please visit our website and connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook , and our blog .
Benefits And Lifestyle
We prioritize your work-life balance with one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, designed to support your lifestyle. At DOH, you’ll find flexibility, growth, and stability. Learn more about why we’re a great place to work by visiting Work@Health .
Conditions Of Employment
The following terms and conditions of employment must be met with or without reasonable accommodation:
Work Setting, Including Hazards
- The position requires in-person attendance to perform duties on-site at the Public Health Laboratories located in Shorelin, WA.
- The position requires working with dried blood (occasionally whole blood) and various laboratory chemicals.
- This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects or assignments, and/or meet business demands and deadlines, and/or during the annual legislative session.
- The DOH Public Health Laboratory operates Monday through Saturday and most holidays. Work hours for this position are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
- This position is required to work outside of assigned core work hours on short notice in response to outbreaks and emergency response.
- Travel is not required to perform the duties of this position; however occasional travel may be expected to attend meetings, trainings, or conferences.
- When driving for state business, the employee must be able to legally operate a state or privately-owned vehicle; OR provide alternate transportation while on state business.
- Duties require use of incubators, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, fume hoods, Autodelfias, fluorescent readers, pipettes, card punchers, tandem mass spectrometers, conventional and real-time PCR platforms, and other typical lab equipment, personal protective equipment, computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines.
- Duties also require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (such as a desk, filing cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine).
- This position may infrequently engaging with customers in a variety of settings agency staff, agency managers, agency supervisors, legislators, governor's office staff, local health jurisdictions, federal government, State Board of Health, external partners, statewide professional associations.
- This supervisory position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
- Vaccinations may be required due to potential exposure to specific agents in the laboratory. This role requires the ability and willingness to receive those vaccinations if needed.
We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.
Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references directly in your Applicant Profile including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).
DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation with your application.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.
DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.
Veterans Preference
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.
Questions and Accommodations
If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Shawnelle Goalder at employment@doh.wa.gov and reference the assigned “DOHXXXX” recruitment number.
Technical Support
Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues.
SUBSCRIBE to DOH Job Alerts
Supplemental Information
This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.
This position is located in King County. A 5% salary increase is included in the advertised pay.