Virology/Serology Public Health Scientist For Americans

THIS IS A RE-POST: PREVIOUS APPLICANTS MUST REAPPLY TO BE CONSIDERED

***This is a full-time, time-limited position***

The Virology/Serology Unit of the NC State Laboratory of Public Health is currently accepting applications for a Public Health Scientist. The primary purpose of this position is to provide support of scientific and technical leadership within the serology, special serology, molecular virology, and rabies sections in the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of FDA-cleared and “laboratory developed tests” (LDTs). This position will also serve as a technical resource to other staff when necessary. Individuals in this position may also supervise other laboratorians as part of a team effort for completion of a particular project. This position is responsible for the development and performance of advanced laboratory testing technologies including serologic-based assays, real-time PCR and next generation sequencing (NGS) for the diagnosis of viral diseases and oversee technology transfer within the laboratory.

This position will perform and document work in accordance with NCSLPH Quality Assurance guidelines and CLIA ’88 (Clinical Laboratory Improvement) rules and regulations. This position will assist the Virology/Serology Unit manager by supporting technical planning, project management, monitoring of deliverables, and providing staff trainings. This position will conduct routine biosafety risk assessments and developing risk mitigating strategies to safely handle novel viral threats using biosafety level 2, 2+, and 3 work practices and facilities

Areas of responsibility and duties include but are not limited to:

Provide scientific and technical leadership for the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of new test methods and procedures that support the NCSLPH Virology/Serology Unit

Assist in the development of expanded advanced molecular detection (AMD) and serologic methods and procedures

Evaluate new equipment and instrumentation, and assist in developing efficiencies within current workflows

Meet quality standards by performing and documenting work in accordance with NCSLPH Quality Assurance guidelines and CLIA ’88 (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) rules and regulations • Assist Virology/Serology Unit manager by supporting technical planning, project management, SOP development, monitoring of deliverables, and providing staff trainings

Manage and present data and findings to internal and external partners, and prepare manuscripts for publication

Manage and procure testing reagents, equipment, and consumables

Work is performed at BSL2, BSL2+, and BSL3 levels using proper containment techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Surge capacity response during viral, bacterial, and/or fungal public health disease clusters, outbreaks, and/or pandemics is required. Work may require extended work hours to include weekends and/or holidays during public health emergencies and/or routine specimen processing.

Salary Grade: NC20

Recruitment Range: $51,895 – $83,737

Position: 65035577

Exam Plan: 22-10515

About the Division of Public Health and the State Laboratory of Public Health:

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community-based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies.

A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration, Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP), Chemical Terrorism and Threat, Environmental Sciences, Laboratory Improvement, Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology, Newborn Screening, Microbiology, and Virology/Serology and is co-located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220,000-sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists, medical technologists, chemists, laboratory technicians, and support staff.?

The Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of three primary units containing various laboratories all of which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. Collectively, the unit conducts highly complex testing procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical, reference, and environmental specimens.

The Virology/Serology Unit provides clinical and surveillance viral testing for public and private laboratories, as well as for associated partners. This diverse unit performs testing such as organism identification and detection that aids in the diagnosis of respiratory, vaccine-preventable, vector-borne, and blood-borne viruses. This unit is also the only laboratory performing diagnostic rabies testing in the state of North Carolina. Additionally, the laboratory actively participates in the US influenza surveillance system. Results generated from this unit are utilized by a variety of partners for diagnosis, patient management, surveillance, and outbreak investigations.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

We are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

• 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Patio Dining with Umbrellas
• Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays
• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on-site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all the following:

• Must meet federal CLIA ’88 personnel requirements for general supervisor in a high complexity laboratory. Candidates must attach a copy of their transcript(s) and/or certification(s) to qualify for consideration.
• Ability to conduct independent, new test method development, including optimization, validation, and implementation, including staff training and assessment
• Experience performing diagnostic clinical virology, clinical immunology and/or molecular virology assays.
• Ability to draft verification and/or validation plans for regulatory compliance.
• Experience working under CLIA or equivalent regulatory agency and regulations.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and summarize data from clinical assays results.

Management Preferences:

• American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification.
• Prior experience in a public health laboratory.

Physical Requirements:

An occupational medical assessment may be required to determine your ability to safely work with biological, chemical, or radiological hazards. This position may also require periodic medical screenings to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness.

All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by NCSLPH.

This position:

• Works frequently with infectious disease agents that require the use of personal protective equipment.
• Work requires ability to distinguish colors and close visual acuity to perform data analysis and visual inspection of specimens using standard laboratory equipment.
• Use of laboratory equipment requires ability to manipulate items with fingers, ability to grasp, and ability to feel/perceive the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Doctoral degree in in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of clinical laboratory or research experience

OR

Master’s degree in any of the above fields from an appropriately accredited institution and five years of clinical laboratory or research experience

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence. Pre-Employment criminal background checks are required for some positions.

Division of Public Health (DPH) main locations, including their grounds, are tobacco-free as outlined in the Tobacco-free Campus Policy. All tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, “vape products” and all smokeless tobacco products, may not be used in the indicated areas. For more information, please see the policy and FAQ posted here:

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR, 919-707-5450.

Please refer to the link below for additional information:

For permanent appointments:

State of North Carolina employees have the opportunity to participate in a compelling array of benefits to enhance their quality of life, their health, and their future. Benefits include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation. To find out about these, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page:

For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:

**There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.**