Director, State Public Health Laboratory

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All potential applicants are encouraged to scroll through and read the complete job description before applying.

Who we are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide.

We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact.

No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can :

• Make a Professional Impact Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play.
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents.
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths.
• Achieve Career Longevity Countless opportunities for continuous learning / development that support a long-term career.
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role.
• Feel Pride in Where you Work Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you.

As an accredited public health department, we're seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Director, State Public Health Laboratory.

• Plans, organizes, and oversees implementation of the work of a large state public health laboratory, including microbiology, newborn screening, and emergency preparedness-related activities.
• Directs the day-to-day functions of the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory and provides direct supervision to scientific and operations managers.
• Ensures a robust quality management system.
• Ensures that activities within the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory are operating according to program policies, government regulations, organizational goals, and evidence-based best practices and maintains the Laboratory’s accreditation.
• Serves as technical consultant for all laboratory services in the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory, including overseeing the evaluation and adoption of new test procedures.
• Ensures the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory provides relevant and accurate scientific data for newborn screening and disease surveillance, prevention, control, and response.
• Provides scientific leadership and direction for the adoption and implementation of administrative and technical changes with a particular focus on advanced molecular detection and enhancing laboratory bioinformatics capabilities.
• Expands and maintains relationships with key state and local partners so that the resources of the Laboratory are effectively applied to public health issues.
• Directs the strategic planning of program goals and objectives, performance measures, and evaluation of laboratory services.

Establishes program priorities and activities based on needs assessments, key indicators, and stakeholders’ input.

• Works in collaboration with state and local public health staff and the Georgia Department of Public Health leadership in developing and implementing integrated program operations and strategies that optimize how laboratory science is utilized for public health activities, including surveillance, outbreak investigation and control, newborn screening, and emergency preparedness.
• Builds collaborations with public / private sector entities to establish partnerships in the service of improving public health.
• Oversees the planning, preparation, and administration of the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory budget and federal grant applications.
• Oversees the fiscal accountability process for general revenue funds and federal categorical grant funds. Ensures all grant deliverables are met and that all federal reporting is submitted by the federal due dates.
• Seeks out additional opportunities for federal and non-federal funding to enhance and broaden programmatic activities.
• Oversees safety, security, and maintenance of the laboratory facilities.
• Develops strategies for retention and succession planning that develop and expand the competencies of the Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory staff and attract people with skills needed in a modern public health laboratory.
• Supervises program directors for newborn screening, microbiology, emergency preparedness, and laboratory operations.
• Oversees, in collaboration with the section directors, the establishment and implementation of performance measures for all laboratory staff (50+ individuals).

Interprets and enforces personnel policies and procedures. Oversees hiring and / or termination decisions in consultation with Human Resources.

• Travels as required in performance of duties.
• Attends and participates in professional and scientific workshops, seminars and meetings, and gives lectures and presentations as directed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications :

Doctorate degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND Four years of management / supervisory experience in health care services / clinical laboratory.

Education & Licensure Requirements :

Must possess an earned doctoral degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry or related fields; and must either be certified or eligible for certification, by an accepted certifying agency.

Must submit international evaluation if degree was granted by a foreign educational institution.

• Required to meet State of Georgia licensure and Federal (CLIA'88) certification requirements for a Clinical Laboratory Director.
• Must possess certification as a High Complexity Laboratory Director (HCLD) or pass an approved certifying examination within eighteen (18) months of hire date as a condition of employment.
• U.S. citizenship required, and must pass Select Agent (SA) security clearance : (http : / / www.selectagents.gov / Regulations.html).

Experience Requirements :

• At least six (6) years of laboratory work experience in a CLIA 88 certified or accredited clinical or public health laboratory, four years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
• Must have extensive knowledge of laboratory regulations and quality standards.
• Must have extensive knowledge of quality management systems, including quality assurance practices and method verification and validation processes.
• Must have working knowledge of laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and terminology of subject areas.
• Must have knowledge of the hazards of working with potentially hazardous materials and the appropriate safety precautions to avoid adverse health effects.
• Must have working knowledge of epidemiology and public health.
• Must be capable of understanding and accurately following complex oral and written instructions and of reading technical materials.
• Must be able to express oneself clearly, concisely, and professionally in verbal and written communication using Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
• Must have excellent management and leadership skills.

Additional Information :

Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals.

A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in physical activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information :

All approved teleworking employees must reside within the state of Georgia and depending on the responsibilities of the position, must live within reasonable driving distance of the agency’s primary worksite and be able to report to the office when required.

Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary. DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and / or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered.

DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc. The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

Relocation assistance will not be provided. As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to : [email protected].

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail.

All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.

Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

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