This position is located in the DC Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS). DFS has three divisions one of which is the DC Public Health Laboratory Division (PHL). The mission of the PHL is to protect human health and the environment through the provision of analytical and diagnostic laboratory services that support broad public health goals and the specific health concerns of citizens and visitors to the District of Columbia (District).

The PHL Director will be responsible for leadership, management, and oversight of all operations within the PHL that includes all laboratory and administrative operations, such as grants management, budget, procurement, human resources (HR) and informatics, all technical operations, testing samples of various materials for bacterial and viral infections, heavy metals, toxic or volatile materials, and other hazards to public health and safety.

The PHL provides clinical diagnostic testing, disease surveillance, emergency response support, applied research, laboratory training, and other essential services through its six units: Accessioning Unit (ASU), Microbiology Unit (MBU), Clinical Toxicology Unit (CTU), Forensic Chemistry Unit (FCU), Immunology-Virology Unit (IVU), and Molecular Diagnostic Unit (MDU). The PHL is also responsible for testing and surveillance of all controlled drugs for the District within the FCU. The PHL is a member of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and operates a Tier 1 Bioterrorism and a Tier 2 Chemical Terrorism laboratory. As an LRN, the PHL supports emergency preparedness and response functions to support investigation of chemical or biological terrorism. The main stakeholders of the PHL are DC Health, DC Department of Behavioral Health, Metropolitan Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and United States Attorney’s Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

The PHL Director leads, manages, plans, and coordinates the specialized technical services and activities associated with the PHL. Through subordinate staff and contractors, ensures that all required laboratory services are provided, and all clinical testing meets CLIA and ISO17025 requirements. Directs research projects of national significance and maintains relationships with District, Federal, international, and private organizations engaged in identical or related practice and/or research activities; assures uniformity in laboratory testing methods and techniques and maintains satisfactory working arrangement.

The incumbent responsible for all test performed in the PHL and its compliance with accrediting body; oversees the testing of specimens, ensuring that all Federal requirements and Federal grant funded requirements are met and ensures the continuous application of quality control procedures. Represents the PHL and DFS at local, regional, and national meetings and conferences. Serves as primary liaison to the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL). Serves as the laboratory Principal Investigator (PI) for cooperative agreements with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and adheres to the requirements of the cooperative agreements to ensure all performance metrics are met and all funds are spent within the respective budget period.

Qualifications and Education

Doctoral degree in chemical, physical, biological, or laboratory science and all the following: (1) Be certified by an HHS-approved board; (2) Two (2) years of lab training or experience; (3) Two (2) years of experience supervising or directing high-complexity testing.

Licensures and Certifications

Must be a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) licensed Laboratory Director.

Work Conditions/Environment

The work is performed in an office/laboratory setting, primarily sedentary work. May come in contact with blood and/or blood borne pathogens. Possible exposure to dangerous chemicals. Incumbent must provide a personal DNA sample to be maintained by the Department's Forensic Genetics Laboratory for quality assurance purposes. Work involves regular and recurring exposure in a controlled environment to irritant chemicals and potentially infectious specimens. Required safety precautions including, but not limited to, protective clothing (e.g., laboratory coats and gloves) and eye protection (e.g., safety goggles). The office setting is when preparing documentation and the laboratory setting is during the testing and analysis phase. The incumbent may be exposed to hazardous materials, toxic substances, and blood borne pathogens and is required to follow safe laboratory practices and wear protective clothing gear such as laboratory coats, fume hoods, safety goggles, radiation badges, aprons, gloves, and shields, etc. and to adopt sterile techniques.

The nature of the DFS mission necessarily involves the potential risks associated with biological or chemical hazards, including morgue functions. Although contact with these functions is intended to be minimal, the risks are nevertheless possible; training to recognize, address, and mitigate these risks is required as is dealing with potentially personally difficult topics, such as crime, death, and disease.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: 8:30am to 5:00pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-0601-15

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.

Type of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS). Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under a collective bargaining agreement.

Position Suitability: This position has been deemed Safety Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual and is subject to mandatory pre-employment and periodic Criminal Background Checks and Traffic Records Checks (as applicable). This position is also subject to mandatory pre-employment and random Drug and Alcohol Testing. In this position, you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana in test results, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.

Position Designation: This position has been designated as Essential and acceptance of this offer confirms you agree to adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding essential/emergency employees. As an essential employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.