Chemistry Scientist

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department’s lead surveillance, planning and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Public Health Informatics, Reporting, and Refugee Branch; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public’s health.

The Work Unit:
The work unit exists to provide accurate and timely scientific data, analysis, and test results in regard to detection,
identification with multiple methods in various clinical and environmental settings. Data generated by this work unit
are used in timely support of various state and national environmental, safety and various public health programs and
rapid response to chemical terrorism events.

What you will be doing:
This position performs method development and validation/verification following requirements of the following
regulatory bodies: CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments), EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), and
ISO (International Organization for Standardization). Method development and validation/verification occurs on
samples of both environmental and clinical matrices.

Method Development and Validation

• Develops and prepares standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Generates well documented data as part of validation and verification of new methods and/or equipment as
  required by regulation or contract.
• Observes and addresses quality and analytical trends.
• Trains other work unit staff in the application of new methods.

• Ensure samples submitted to the laboratory are suitable for requested analyses.
• Prepare and analyze samples qualitatively and quantitatively using accepted preparation methods and
  advanced analytical techniques.
• Ensure compliance with QA requirements for assigned analyses.
• Verify and record instrument functionality.

• Enter sample results into the laboratory information system and ensure accuracy of all analytic reporting
  parameters.
• Verify test results produced by other work through batch level approvals from unit staff prior to release.
• Ensure requested testing and reporting are appropriate and that information provided to customers complies
  with SOPs and protocols.
• File analytical printouts, worksheets and associated documents according to established procedure.

• Maintains inventory of testing reagents and supplies, requests supply orders.
• Performs quality control of reagents and supplies and records findings.
• Following the division's safety protocol, sets up, cleans, decontaminates and maintains laboratory
  equipment and work surfaces.

Residency Requirement:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Six (6) years of relevant laboratory experience* in conducting scientific analysis of environmental samples and experience running Mass Spectroscopy instrumentation in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

A combination of related education** biological science, chemistry and/or relevant laboratory experience in conducting scientific analysis of environmental samples and experience running Mass Spectroscopy instrumentation in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position that is equal to six (6) years

PREFERRED AND ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Environment Science or Public Health and one year of experience in a laboratory conducting scientific analysis of environmental (air, water, etc.), food, or human matrix samples on advanced instrumentation such as LC-MSS/MS, ICP-MS and/or GC-M/MS.  

• Experience developing and preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).

• Experience operating advanced instrumentation such as LC-MSS/MS, ICP-MS and/or GC-M/MS.

• Experience with analytical instrumentation

• Experience handling and manipulating hazardous chemicals, materials, and high pressure gases

• Experience testing water, soil, air and food samples

• Experience facilitating in-person assessments of the proper usage of field instrument operations.

• 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.
• Occasional travel both within and outside of the state may be required for specialized training.
• On Site Position

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.

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.

1. 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.