Lead Chemist, Chemical Incident Response Laboratory (Chemist 3) DOH8791
State of Washington
FreshPosted Jan 28
Recent Listing
Posted: January 21, 2026 (9 days ago)
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Chemist 2, Newborn Screening Lab DOH8803
State of Washington
Dept. of Health
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$5,271 - $7,082
per month
Type
Full Time
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Job Description
Summary
This job involves testing blood samples from newborns to detect genetic and metabolic conditions early, helping ensure timely medical interventions for babies across Washington and nearby states.
You'll work in a busy lab using advanced equipment to run tests, check results, and maintain quality standards.
It's ideal for someone detail-focused who enjoys hands-on science, works well independently or in a team, and wants to contribute to public health.
Key Requirements
- Five or more years of experience in chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory, or a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, or a health-related field with 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in relevant coursework
- Ability to perform high-volume chemical and biochemical testing on newborn dried blood specimens
- Proficiency in operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining routine and complex laboratory instruments and automated systems
- Skills in analyzing and interpreting test results using laboratory software and information management systems
- Experience monitoring quality control and quality assurance to ensure accurate results
- Detail-oriented with strong record-keeping abilities for testing activities, results, and inventory
- Adaptability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, on-site laboratory environment
Full Job Description
Chemist 2, Newborn Screening Lab
Public Health Laboratories, Shoreline, WA | Onsite/In Person | PERMANENT APPOINTMENT
The Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Health plays a critical role in protecting the health of newborns across the state. This position supports that mission by performing hands-on laboratory testing that helps identify treatable genetic and metabolic conditions early, when intervention matters most.
As a Chemist 2 in the Newborn Screening Laboratory (NBS), you will independently conduct high-volume testing of newborn blood samples using advanced laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
Your work directly supports timely, accurate screening results that impact families and health care providers statewide in Washington as well as in Idaho and Hawaii, as we are the regional testing NBS lab for those states too.
This is an on-site laboratory role due to the nature of the work.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform chemical and biochemical testing on newborn dried blood specimens in a high-volume laboratory environment
- Operate and troubleshoot both routine and complex laboratory instruments and automated systems
- Analyze and interpret test results using laboratory software and information management systems
- Monitor quality control and quality assurance parameters to ensure reliable and accurate results
- Prepare specimens, reagents, controls, and materials needed for testing
- Maintain detailed records of testing activities, results, and inventory
- Support laboratory operations through equipment maintenance, reporting, and process improvements
- Provide backup testing support and collaborate with team members to meet program needs
Why You’ll Love This Role
- Your work has a direct and meaningful impact on infant health and early medical intervention
- You’ll use a wide range of modern laboratory techniques and technologies
- The role offers variety, from hands-on testing to quality assurance and method improvement
- You’ll be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to public health and scientific excellence
- Your contributions support a statewide program that families and providers rely on every day
The Ideal Candidate
You are detail-oriented, methodical, and comfortable working independently, as well as in teams, in a fast-paced laboratory setting.
You enjoy hands-on scientific work and take pride in producing accurate, defensible results.
You thrive in environments where precision matters, protocols guide the work, and collaboration keeps everything running smoothly.
You’re adaptable, curious, and willing to help improve processes while supporting teammates and the broader mission of public health.
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.
Option 1: Five (5) or more years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.
Option 2: Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, or a health-related field which includes 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of chemistry and at least one course and one lab in molecular biology; AND two or more years of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory.
Option 3: Master’s degree in chemistry or microbiology; AND at least six (6) months of experience performing chemical or molecular analysis in an analytical laboratory
Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience:
- Proficient using standard desktop software such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases, and file storage on shared network servers.
- Demonstrated proficiency in operating and troubleshooting laboratory instruments (e.g. tandem mass spectrometers, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, electrophoresis equipment, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and other common lab equipment/techniques).
- Skilled in applying quality improvement tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall quality.
- Familiarity with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standards and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures.
Preferred/Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience:
- Two (2) or more years of experience in a clinical or analytical laboratory setting, including hands-on experience with biochemical assays, specimen processing, or newborn screening.
- Experience with newborn screening tests, including measurement of amino acids, acylcarnitines, hormones, enzyme activities, or DNA sequences.
- Experience preparing reagents, maintaining lab supply inventories, and documenting test results for archiving and reporting.
- Experience with spectrometers, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, and electrophoresis equipment.
- Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) for generating worklists and managing test data.
ABOUT US:
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:
- Work will be performed onsite on-site in the lab due to the nature of work/duties.
- It is expected of this individual in this position to work with dried blood (occasionally whole blood) and various laboratory chemicals. It is expected of this individual in this position to move items weighing up to 25 lbs. and perform repetitive work for 2 to 3 hours.
Schedule (i.e., hours and days):
- The laboratory routinely operates Monday through Saturday and most holidays; this position is assigned to the Tuesday to Saturday schedule with the option to choose a Monday to Friday schedule based on seniority; the individual in this position must participate in the holiday schedule rotation.
- This position has on-call responsibilities on Mondays and/or Saturdays.
- This position requires working outside of assigned core work hours on short notice in response to outbreaks and emergency response.
Travel Requirements:
- Position may travel occasionally, as needed, either alone or with another person, overnight, for several days and/or out of state.
- Must be able to legally operate a state- or privately-owned vehicle OR provide alternative transportation while on state business
Tools and Equipment:
- 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.
Customer Interactions:
- Newborn screening staff, office director, lead workers, laboratory coordinator, vendors, follow-up staff, support staff, health care providers/customers and other staff in different offices in the laboratory.
Other:
- Work is performed under noisy, stressful, and fast-paced conditions.
- Position works with confidential patient information covered under HIPPA.
- Representation: This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Special Requirement:
- Must pass a color vision test for tasks requiring color discrimination, per accreditation standards.
- Must receive vaccinations for laboratory contaminants as determined and required by management and Public Health Laboratory Risk assessment.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION:
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.
Additional 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.
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