Laboratory Building Coordinator Assistant

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Laboratory Building Coordinator Assistant 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Quality Assurance 
Posting Number: 18750 
Closing Date: 01/14/2027 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $6,800.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief job description.
Performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the DSHS Public Health Laboratory (PHLD) a buildings. Works under the limited supervision of the PHLD Building Operations Branch Manager with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Consults with both laboratory program and non-program staff to ensure the safe, secure, efficient and effective operation of laboratory buildings. Plans and coordinates building activities associated with the laboratory. Serves as lead worker for laboratory preventative maintenance program. Manages the accountability and disposition of inventoried laboratory property. Supports the creation of a Laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Must be available before and after hours, holidays and weekends to respond to building emergencies. Performs other duties as assigned.   

Essential Job Function #1 (25%)

EJF 1. Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work. Works under the limited supervision of the PHLD Building Operations Branch Manager with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Consults with the laboratory building coordinator, laboratory staff, The Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) and contractors to ensure the safe, secure, efficient and effective operation of laboratory buildings and associated systems by performing warranty work, repairs or minor construction on the laboratory building. Submits repair, maintenance, warranty work on the building involving the laboratory staff and the organization performing the work via TFC portal requests. Analyzes the application of and variations within each of the laboratory areas and develops action plans to improve to avoid delays of laboratory testing. Provides high-level advice and counsel to laboratory management and staff by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the building and program. Ensures that maintenance or repairs by TFC and/or contractors do not interfere with laboratory operations. Consults and provides guidance to Laboratory staff daily on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), electrical and plumbing problems, security issues, determining space requirements for new test equipment and reconfiguration of modular furniture.

Essential Job Function #2 (30%)

EJF 2. Plans and coordinates activities with or in the absence of the laboratory building coordinator associated with the physical environmental and security conditions of the laboratory.  Analyzes building conditions, collects and organizes data, proposes building management resources and prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports setting forth progress, adverse trends and appropriate recommendations and conclusions; advises/reports/reports to administrative officials regarding building conditions and utilization as affected by repair/maintenance/enhancement activities. Secures and coordinates related services such as housekeeping, heating-ventilation-air conditioning, structural and cosmetic repairs, and maintenance of safety features, with appropriate departments or outside organizations. Maintains service contracts, writes statements of work, solicits quotes, and/or bids from alternative service providers where appropriate and makes recommendations for optimal selection. Consults with Laboratory Building Operations Branch Manager, Laboratory Building Coordinator and Laboratory Management in analyzing and evaluating the budget and expenditure requests for PHLD building projects relative to funding from PHLD, TFC and legislative appropriation requests. Maintains document service records and reports supporting laboratory accreditation and resolves invoice and/or billing issues with Lab Accounting and Accounts Payable Teams.  Works closely with Lab Safety Officer and the Emergency Preparedness Branch Manager to implement emergency programs for the laboratory and to assure compliance with the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code; ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers); the BMBL (Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories), and with other federal, state and city regulations related to safety, environmental compliance, security and incident response. Provides support to the South Texas Laboratory as needed to support testing in the Harlingen South Texas Testing Laboratory. Supports the creation of a Laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. Must be available before and after hours, holidays and weekends to respond to

Essential Job Function #3 (25%)

EJF 3. Serves as lead worker providing direction to Laboratory Maintenance Team regarding laboratory preventative maintenance and performance data to ensure compliance with program requirements. Performs preventative maintenance service on laboratory equipment, verifies, and conducts inspections, tests, and reviews of equipment and instruments for quality control.  Performs routine repairs, calibrations, and adjustments to laboratory instruments and equipment.  Ensures timely communication and approval by area staff of work performed prior to scheduling. Ensures all scheduled work for the laboratory building be communicated to all laboratory staff. Conducts training and provides guidance to laboratory maintenance staff in the development and integration of new or revised methods and procedures regarding the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Determines laboratory equipment trends and resolves operational problems efficiently and effectively. Performs specialized projects as requested by laboratory leadership or program as laboratory equipment changes due to technological advancements.

Essential Job Function # 4 (15%)

EJF 4. Manages the accountability and disposition of inventoried laboratory property. Works with the Asset Management Office to identify and inventory laboratory equipment. Arranges the removal and disposition of surplus, broken, or out dated equipment and furniture. Drafts changes in procedures for accountability of current and future laboratory equipment.

Essential Job Function # 5 (5%)

EJF 5. Other duties as assigned. Including but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) 

Knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of healthcare facilities, higher education facilities, or public health testing laboratories. 
Knowledge of current Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) requirements. 
Knowledge of building Life Safety requirements, HVAC and mechanical systems operations such as plumbing, deionized water, acid neutralization, chemical fume hoods and biological safety cabinets. 
Knowledge of commercial building electrical systems and infrastructure. 
Knowledge of air balance processes along with the ability to read/interpret Test & Balance reports along with fan & pump curves. 
Knowledge of Texas Facilities Commission building maintenance policies and procedures. Knowledge of computers including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Power Point & Visio software along with Adobe Acrobat and Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD). 
Knowledge of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau Standards along with the Associated Air Balance Council Standards. 

Skill in organization, time management and planning. 
Skills in problem solving and conflict resolution. 
Excellent written communication skills. 
Skill in analyzing complex information from multiple sources, researching, verifying and compiling into documents to support building needs for testing programs and/or as needed to correct building components or system failures. 
Skill in reading/interpreting Test & Balance reports along with fan curves. 
Skill in the successful management of construction projects as an owner’s agent or representative with both minor construction with a value of less than $50,000 to major construction projects with a value over $50,000.
Strong work ethics and ethical approach to the management of risk liabilities. 
Skill in Word Processing Software, Spread-sheets, Database, PDF, Computerized Maintenance Management Software, Computer Aided Design and Drafting & Report Writing. 

Ability to document the progress of major construction projects to contract specifications, forcing resolution of non-conforming work, field installations & vendor coordination, managing environmental issues, regulatory compliance and reporting, plant management/(HVAC, chilled & heating water systems, boilers, etc.), policy development, logistics planning, communicating and coordinating the dissemination of logistical information to employees and managing chaotic or emergency situations. 
Ability to increase commitment in others, resolve technical difficulties, oversee projects to contract specifications, coordinate/schedule/communicate the installation of mission critical systems, their shutdown, repair, and start up. 
Ability to apply as needed to understand, communicate problems with building airflows. 
Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on professional knowledge and experience. 
Ability to read/interpret blueprint drawings, submittals, along with project specifications. 
Ability to demonstrated leadership qualities. 
Ability to implement effective customer service practices. 
Ability to interact diplomatically with internal customers, purchasing, vendors and service representatives in the repair, and maintenance of medical and/or laboratory testing equipment. 
Ability to communicate technical information in layman’s terms to an audience with broad range of understanding. 
Ability to develop guidelines, policies and procedures. 
Ability to develop effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, internal customers, vendors, contractors and representatives of TFC. 
Ability to lead teams, establish goals and objectives and monitor employee progress.    

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

1. Valid state Class “C” driver’s license required.

Initial Criteria

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in engineering, engineering related, or building technology is generally preferred.
2. Trade Vocational or technical training certification in air conditioning systems or a related mechanical, electrical, plumbing field, preferred.
3. 4 years’ experience in the field of engineering, maintenance and repairs of laboratory or hospital building requirements and systems preferred.
4. 2 years’ experience in HVAC and mechanical system operations or 2 years’ experience in building safety codes and/or requirements preferred.
5. 2 years’ experience reading, interpreting, and reviewing blueprints specifications required.
6. High school graduate or GED required.
7. Minimum 18 months’ experience with third party vendors’ requesting quotes, submitting requisitions, and maintaining service agreements required.

Additional Information:

Must be willing to work holidays and weekends. Must be willing to work hours other than 8am - 5pm.

Transportation: Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in the performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas driver’s license for the appropriate type vehicle. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, applicants will have their driving records checked through the Department of Public Safety and applicants must have a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.

Immunizations: Compliance with DSHS Laboratory Exposure Control Plan required: vaccine requirements are consistent with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and other national guidelines for employee groups based upon job duties and tasks.

NOTE: When completing your application, include details about your job experience as it relates to the essential functions, knowledge/skills/abilities, and screening information provided on this Position Description.

Please fill out the State of Texas Application in its entirety, including required and optional

fields. Applicants should indicate how they meet the initial selection criteria on the State

of Texas Application in the summary of experience. Cover letters, resumes, references,

and transcripts may also be included. Interviews will be conducted in person and

scheduled after screening. Work hours and laboratory assignments may vary, must be

willing to work hours other than 8am-5pm.

Environmental Conditions that apply to this job.

• Working:
  • On ladders or scaffolding.
  • With moving vehicles/objects.
  • Around machines with moving parts and objects.
  • Irregular hours.
  • Indoors/Outdoors
  • With fire, boilers, or large hot stoves.
• Exposure to:
  • Excessive heat, humidity, cold, dampness, noise
  • Dry atmosphere
  • Cleaning supplies/abrasives and solvents (degreasing agents)
  • Human blood, body fluids, tissues or wastes.
  • Biomedical waste.
  • Electrical energy.
  • Vibration.
  • Dust/mites.
  • Grease, oils, and combustibles.
  • Silica, asbestos, etc.
  • Pesticides.
  • Animal blood, body fluids, tissue or wastes.
  • Biological agents.

Physical demands of essential job functions:

• Maximum number of pounds required:
  • 50 pounds: Lifting, Pulling, Carrying, Pushing

Physical demands required to perform the essential job functions:

• Standing, crawling, kneeling, climbing stairs, reaching above shoulder, sitting, walking twisting upper body, stooping, climbing ladders, hearing, vision

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form