Job Specification Details

Supervision is exercised over a professional and technical staff in the Vermont Agriculture and Environmental Laboratory. Work is performed under the general direction of the VAEL Director.

This position serves as a supervisor of scientific staff in the VAEL departments of Biology, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. VAEL may have multiple supervisors that would typically oversee one or more departments. The incumbent is expected to develop proficiency in the following areas:

Supervises and administers laboratory personnel within specific departments of VAEL. Advises the laboratory director about personnel issues.

Monitors the conditions of the laboratory facility and instrumentation and submits requests for maintenance and repair work as needed.

Monitors program operations and advises the director on laboratory operational and budget priorities.

Works with sample receiving staff and LIMS tools to review workloads and priorities and provide updates to the laboratory staff and director on a daily to weekly basis.

Reviews laboratory performance data and opens and manages corrective and preventative actions to reinforce laboratory performance.

Prepares annual evaluations for subordinate staff in a timely and professional manner.

Uses the Laboratory Information Management System on a daily basis to review lab workloads and productivity.

Uses the Laboratory Information Management System to promptly approve validated laboratory results.

Assists the laboratory director in developing, implementing and updating lab policies and procedures, including quality assurance, chemical waste management and laboratory safety. Develops and implements appropriate measures to minimize occupational hazards to insure workplace safety.

Ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation guidelines that dictate VAEL's operations. Assists the laboratory director in preparing reports for accreditation requirements.

Implements corrective actions for irregularities in submission, handling or analysis of client samples or in the timing and completeness of validation, approval and reporting of test results.

Acts as technical advisor and communications liaison for field staff and other clients within state agencies and regional institutions and organizations.

Provides support to state agency inspectors in investigations of agricultural, environmental and consumer protection problems, managing staff to provide time-critical analytical services required for such investigations. Performs related duties as assigned.

May provide technical support, evaluations and training to commercial and industrial labs.

Performs laboratory analyses as workload requires. Attends seminars and workshops to maintain current knowledge of lab procedures, instrumentation and management tools.

Work is performed in office and laboratory settings and involves exposure to noxious or hazardous materials and exposure to CDC Class II and III pathogens.

Some risk of contact with highly toxic chemical or infectious agents exists.

Work involves some travel to other laboratories and work sites to attend meetings and seminars, requiring private means of transportation or arrangements for use of a state vehicle.

May involve participating in contentious negotiations with subordinates and clients.

The operation of laboratory equipment requires dexterity and good vision.

Laboratory Management:

Considerable knowledge of program planning and budgeting principles.

Considerable knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.

Ability to build and prioritize working relationships within the lab and with clients.

Ability to communicate technical information effectively both orally and in writing, in the form of memos, standard operating procedures, manuals for quality systems, waste management, and other descriptive and instructional information.

Lab Safety:

Working knowledge of occupational hazards and laboratory safety principles, standards and procedures.

Able to manage staff to meet OSHA requirements, including training courses, document review and lab audits.

Laboratory Knowledge:

Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, techniques and terminology of analytical chemistry, microbiology, and/or serology.

Knowledge of basic statistical methods and techniques including plotting and graphing of standard curves, determination of standard deviations and percentages.

Thorough knowledge of the operation, care and maintenance of instrumentation and equipment used in VAEL's analytical techniques and procedures.

Ability to effectively organize and allocate limited resources to achieve program needs.

Lab Experience:

Experience conducting complex, highly specialized laboratory tests using a variety of scientific test equipment and methods in chemistry and/or microbiology.

Experience using laboratory information management system software (LIMS).

Ability to manage federal, state and regional lab certification/accreditation programs including Quality Control/Quality Assurance documentation and record-keeping.

Lab Skills:

Experience performing a high volume of tests with consistently accurate results.

Ability to collect, interpret, validate and approve test results.

Ability to manage and evaluate performance of complete analytical processes.

Ability to adapt chemistry, molecular- and microbiological procedures to accommodate the changing needs of state agency clients.

Ability to ensure proper training and professional development of staff in area(s) of specialization.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or closely related field

AND

Eight (8) or more years of post-college professional experience as a chemist or microbiologist in an agricultural, environmental or other laboratory, including progressively more responsibility.

OR

Three (3) or more years as a Level V Agricultural/Environmental Scientist in Chemistry, Microbiology or related field in Vermont State service.

OR

Master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology, or closely related field

AND

Six (6) or more years of post-graduate professional experience as a chemist, biochemist, molecular or microbiologist in an agricultural, environmental or other laboratory, including progressively more responsibility.

OR

PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology or closely related field

AND

Four (4) or more years of professional level laboratory experience in an agricultural, environmental or other laboratory, including progressively more responsibility.

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