Newborn Screening Scientist Supervisor (PSRS IV)

Full Job Description

This position is ONLY open to current Colorado state residents.

This position is Hybrid.

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) serves Coloradans by providing high-quality, and cost-effective public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places.

Staff members focus on evidence-based best practices in the public health and environmental fields and play a critical role in educating people in Colorado so they can make informed choices.

In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the Department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

Our mission… is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play.

Our vision… is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!! https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Requirements

About the Unit:
The Colorado Newborn Screening Program (CONBSP) is established to fulfill state statutory requirements mandating newborn screening for designated conditions, as determined by the Colorado Board of Health. The program provides universal screening of newborns in Colorado and Wyoming to facilitate the early identification of genetic, metabolic, endocrine, and other screened disorders, thereby reducing associated morbidity and mortality. CONBSP also ensures timely follow-up, coordination of care, and the provision of outreach, education, and resources to families of affected infants and all health facilities throughout the state.

About the Position:
This position primarily supports analytical assay development, implementation, and communication of results, including oversight and supervision of the Newborn Screening Program. This position participates in troubleshooting problems or errors, oversees validation/verification activity, advises on the adoption of new testing methodologies, and serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in the areas of newborn screening processes. This position exists to manage the daily activities of the newborn screening work unit and supervise staff performing newborn screening protocols.

This position is responsible for direct supervision of scientists in the Newborn Screening Program. Responsibilities include workflow and staff schedule monitoring, training record review, as well as oversight of quality performance within the work unit. This position provides coaching to staff for problem resolution and new skill development, as well as write and review performance plans. This position is responsible for staff hiring, and provides Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in the areas of newborn screening workflow development and analysis.

Supervision:
This position is responsible for direct supervision of scientists in the Newborn Screening Program. Responsibilities include workflow and staff schedule monitoring, training record review, as well as oversight of quality performance within the work unit. This position provides coaching to staff for problem resolution and new skill development, as well as write and review performance plans. This position is responsible for staff hiring, and provides Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in the areas of newborn screening workflow development and analysis.

Analytic Testing:
This position provides oversight and guidance to direct reports and serves as a technical supervisor as defined in CLIA. This position performs training and staff competency evaluations, select appropriate test methods, and review test results to ensure all quality parameters are met. This position monitors competency and proficiency records and addresses quality concerns, including initiation of non-compliance documentation, should it be necessary. This position reviews scientific literature and remain up-to-date on new testing methodologies and procedures and initiates and reviews verification and validation procedures to evaluate new or updated methodologies.

Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Control (QC)
This position ensures the quality of daily assays for all current disorder testing. The QA is based on a combination of SOP’s, research of current scientific literature, studies, and research papers, and formal education or experience in a testing laboratory for quality assurance best practices.
The position collaborates with the NBS Program Manager, the NBS QA Scientist, the Laboratory QA Specialist and Safety Program Manager, and the immediate supervisor to share findings and discuss appropriateness of findings for implementation in the NBS Program to improve quality standards.

Validations for new and existing equipment, disorders, and testing methods.
This position conducts research into methods for current and new testing. It develops plans to validate these methods. The methodology is based on a combination of Laboratory SOP’s, research of current scientific literature, studies, and research papers, and formal education or experience in a testing laboratory for testing methodology of human specimens. The position collaborates with the NBS Program Manager, NBS QA Specialist, and State Public Health Laboratory QA Manager to share findings and discuss appropriateness of findings for implementation in the NBS Program to improve reliability and consistency of testing methods.

Administration, Stakeholder Engagement and Education
This position is responsible for customer communication and administrative support to ensure test results are delivered in a timely manner and that any questions pertaining to results interpretation are addressed. This position is responsible for overseeing and performing final verification of results prior to reporting within the LIMs system, and overseeing document record retention to ensure associated test documents are attached to the batch or sample records within the LIMs system.

Qualifications

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience Only:

Nine (9) years of relevant experience* in conducting testing in a public health laboratory an occupation and experience with supervision related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education** in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, chemistry or closely related field and/or relevant experience* in conducting testing in a public health laboratory an occupation and experience with supervision related to the work assigned to this position.

in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to nine (9) years

Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies:
The preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

• Five or more years of professional analytical experience with mass spectrometry (MS/MS testing) for Amino Acidemias, Organic Acidemias, and Fatty Acid Oxidation disorders
• Expert knowledge of laboratory analysis technology, specifically for HPLC testing for protein analysis such as hemoglobin analysis
• Knowledge of generally accepted laboratory QA/QC procedures and processes as they apply to a diagnostic and/or environmental testing;
• In-depth knowledge of laboratory regulatory requirements (e.g., CLIA, FDA, ISO)
• In-depth knowledge of CDC biosafety recommendations (BMBL)
• Expert working knowledge of and expertise in Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, and/or Mass Spectrometry demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications
• Demonstrated analytical method development and validation experience with a variety of difficult sample matrices, including laboratory information management systems
• Experience writing laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Experience implementing a LIMS
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with a wide range of customers/stakeholders
• Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Ability to interpret regulations and statutes
• Ability to work well independently as well as in/with a team
• Experience testing samples for compliance with regulatory requirements
• Excellent writing skills, as demonstrated by publication of peer-reviewed journal articles
• Excellent interpretation skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent data analysis and reporting skills
• Excellent planning and organizing skills

Conditions of Employment:

• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
• Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Biological, Chemical and/or Physical Science Bachelor’s degree with biology and chemistry credits (required for CLIA certification)
• Hybrid Position
• Shift Work Required

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative.

This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Additional Information

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

1. A completed State of Colorado application.
2. If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
3. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Daniel Mckenna at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-6319.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g.

uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.