Description of Work
- THE POSITION IS TIME-LIMITED, CONCLUDING ON 7/31/2027.***
The Laboratory Specialist is part of the Environmental Sciences Unit of the NC State Laboratory of Public Health. The primary purpose of this senior-level position is to expand the Unit’s molecular testing scope for the identification and detection of viral agents of public health significance in wastewater.
The Laboratory Specialist will independently characterize and quantify viral nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) using digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, DNA sequencing, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) that will require attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy. Responsibilities include performing validations/verifications of new molecular tests, writing scientific documents, implementing new molecular tests, and training staff to perform the newly implemented molecular tests.
The Laboratory Specialist Will
- Utilize various molecular tools to detect, identify, group, type and sub-type bacterial and viral pathogens. Perform routine testing (wastewater surveillance) which may include, but not limited to: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and digital PCR (dPCR), Sanger sequencing, and whole genome sequencing (WGS).
- Provide oversight of method verification and validation studies as well as Limit of Detection (LOD) studies for new methods or new instruments. This position will be primarily responsible for preparation, analysis, and reporting of wastewater samples from various sources across the state. This position will on a weekly basis prepare reports of weekly surveillance outcomes as well as interpretation of trending results.
- Provide management and staff support. Perform other duties as assigned.
About The Department Of Health And Human Services (DHHS)
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state and federal entities and many other stakeholders to make this happen.
About The State Laboratory Of Public Health
The State Laboratory of Public Health (SLPH), we provide medical and environmental laboratory services such as testing, consultation, and training, to public and private health provider organizations responsible for the promotion, protection, and assurance of the health of North Carolina citizens. SLPH serves the entire state as a reference laboratory for difficult, unusual, or otherwise unavailable laboratory procedures and assist in the development, evaluation, and standardization of medical and environmental laboratory testing procedures. We provide training and consultation to improve and assure quality services in other laboratories and certify milk and water laboratories and milk analysts. We test for Acanthamoeba to Zika and everything in between!
Visit our website at http://slph.ncpublichealth.com to learn more.
Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health:
- 220,000 square feet campus built in 2012
- Plentiful Free Parking
- Easy access to shopping centers, the state art museum, healthcare providers, and highways (70, 40 and 440)
- Break Rooms with Vending Machines, Ice Machines, Coffee Makers, Magazines, and Commercial Grade Microwave Ovens
- Patio Dining with Umbrellas
- Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays
- Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
- Wellness Activities
- Fitness Center with Exercise Equipment and Classes
- Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
- Monthly and Quarterly Workshop Sessions
- Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
- NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
- State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits
Compensation And Benefits
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits.
For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities / Competencies
Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
Qualified applicants must document on the application that they possess all of the following:
- Experience using laboratory equipment, instrumentation for molecular testing as well as experience with the use of general laboratory equipment and instrumentation is required.
- Knowledge conducting nucleic acid extraction (RNA and DNA) and performing molecular methods such as PCR and sequencing.
- Must have knowledge of safely handling infectious disease agents (bacterial and viral), and performing and interpreting laboratory tests used in their detection and characterization in a clinical/environmental laboratory.
- Capability of understanding and accurately following complex oral and written instructions and reading and understanding technical information.
Minimum Education And Experience Requirements
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See https://oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.
Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:
Bachelors degree in medical technology, microbiology, chemistry or a closely related biological science field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a medical laboratory or in the assigned work area;
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Special Qualifications
Must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA 88 personnel requirements for a general supervisor in a laboratory performing high complexity testing.
Note: This is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to identify essential functions
Supplemental and Contact Information
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.
DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
- Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
- Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
- If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
- Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.
NOTE: Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-4930.
To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status".
For technical issues with your application, please call the
NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442. If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.
NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.
For Permanent And Time-limited Appointments
Eligible employees have benefits that 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.
01
I UNDERSTAND that DHHS requires a complete descriptive work history with all employment experience detailed to be considered for employment. Answers to supplemental questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. In order to receive credit for the supplemental questions in which you answered yes, you must provide supporting information within the body of the application, to support your answer. Your application should also reflect all education and all professional work experience acquired including high school and all degrees. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. (
NOTE: AN ATTACHED RESUME NOR "SEE RESUME" DOES NOT SATISFY THE REQUIREMENT OF COMPLETING THE APPLICATION. If you haven't completed the application requirements, please return to your application to finish it before submitting your application.)
- Yes, I understand and have fully completed all requirements.
02
The recruitment range for this position is $57,712 to $66,296. If offered this position, are you willing to accept a salary within the posted recruitment range of $57,712 to $66,296?
03
To be considered for this position, you must have previous experience testing wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 by digital PCR instrumentation. Do you have experience with this testing methodology?
All experience must be clearly documented in the "Work Experience" section of the application to be given credit.
04
How many years of experience do you have with the general use of laboratory equipment and instrumentation?
All experience must be clearly documented in the "Work Experience" section of the application to be given credit.
- No experience
- Less than one (1) year of experience
- One (1) year of experience but less than two (2) years of experience
- Two (2) years of experience but less than three (3) years of experience
- Three (3) or more years of experience
05
Do you have experience using laboratory equipment, instrumentation for molecular testing?
All experience must be clearly documented in the "Work Experience" section of the application to be given credit.
06
Do you have experience conducting nucleic acid extraction (RNA and DNA) and performing molecular methods (such as PCR and sequencing)?
All experience must be clearly documented in the "Work Experience" section of the application to be given credit.
07
Do you have experience handling and testing infectious disease agents?
All experience must be clearly documented in the "Work Experience" section of the application to be given credit.
08
Where did you learn about DHHS or this opportunity?
- NC Jobs
- Employee Referral
- Conference / Career Fair
- Email campaign
- Professional Association or Industry-specific job board
- Indeed
- LinkedIn
- NC Nursing Board email
- Google
- Other General Job Boards
- Other Search Engines
- Other Social Media
- Internet Advertisement
- TV / Radio
09
Please give additional detail where you learned of DHHS or this opportunity. (e.g., APA Annual Meeting in NYC in May 2021, Facebook, LinkedIn, Doximity, NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.)
