Laboratory Manager IV

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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 Manager IV 
Job Title: Lab Mgr IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental Sciences 
Posting Number: 19260 
Closing Date: 08/23/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Range: $6,825.00 - $7,875.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 15% 
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: 0203,0207,0302,0520,0602,0802,1802,5502,6302,6502,7202,7208,7210,7220,111X,112X,113X,114X,16GX,41AX 
611X,612X,631X,632X,641X,648X,86M0,86P0,8U000,9G100,SEI15 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Serves as Group Manager in the Radiochemistry Group of the Environmental Chemistry Section: Works under limited direction from Section Director with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Leads the group in adopting changes in practices, processes or techniques; ensures rapid and complete analysis of all samples submitted; assures the quality of all testing; manages personnel matters; manages laboratory records and other documents; and consults with public health personnel, industry representatives, and other officials. Supervises drinking water testing for radionuclides under TCEQ's Public Water Supervision program according to TNI (NELAC) Standards and EPA Drinking Water quality systems. Oversees emergency response program for mobile and stationary radionuclide laboratory analyses in the event of nuclear emergencies.  Based on the work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.  Provides customer service and technical guidance and consults with customers to determine their needs and resolve customer concerns.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF 1: Exercises day-to-day supervision of Radiochemistry Group laboratory operations under TNI Standards and EPA Drinking Water quality systems. Responsibilities include monitoring quality control and quality assurance performance, ensuring the validity of analyses and reliability of laboratory data. Leads the group in implementing changes to practices, processes, and techniques in response to customer needs, quality assurance policies, regulatory requirements, and opportunities for operational improvement. Analyzes and interprets state and federal laws and regulations related to the Safe Drinking Water Act, radioactive material use, and monitoring of nuclear power generation and arms production/disarmament facilities. Evaluates emerging analytical technologies and their application to state environmental programs. Establishes goals that address high-priority needs, align with section and laboratory objectives, and can be achieved with available resources. Sets realistic target dates and manages projects to achieve due dates at least 90% of the time. Communicates goals and progress to staff through individual and group meetings. Ensures all changes comply with regulatory requirements, QA policies, and DSHS/HHSC administrative and personnel policies. Manages activities associated with grants awarded to the Group. (25%)

EJF 2: Manages an emergency response program for mobile and stationary radionuclide laboratory analyses in the event of nuclear emergencies. Develops, implements, and evaluates analytical procedures to maintain emergency response readiness; trains staff in preparedness activities; coordinates participation in biannual emergency response exercises; evaluates staff performance during exercises; and implements improvements to ensure compliance with federal performance standards. Serves as a statewide resource for radiochemical analysis, providing technical guidance to laboratories, state agency environmental programs, public water systems, and other stakeholders regarding radiochemical testing and interpretation. (20%)

EJF 3: Ensures timely and complete analysis of all submitted samples. Consults with submitters within one working day to resolve incomplete or unclear test requests and coordinates with the Director or QA Officer on issues unresolved after three days. Collaborates with team leaders to establish turnaround time targets, monitor work in progress, and implement corrective actions as needed. Prepares required performance reports and oversees problem-solving efforts to ensure timely resolution of equipment and method issues. Plans capital equipment acquisitions by evaluating operational benefits, lifecycle costs, and facility requirements. Ensures adequate inventories of routine supplies by working with team leaders to maintain an ordering system with established minimum reorder levels for commonly used chemicals and laboratory supplies. (20%)

EJF 4: Assures the quality of all testing in the Group.  Ensures that major decisions regarding test methods and reporting of results meet the needs for consistency and defensibility of the environmental programs.  Monitors analytical performance within the Group to assure adherence to written protocols, acceptable quality control results, thorough data review, satisfactory proficiency testing, and complete laboratory records.  Leads and coordinates problem solving efforts when method or instrument difficulties impact the scientific validity and defensibility of test results.  Reviews and approves new or revised SOPs.  Reviews SOPs annually and ensures that revisions are prepared within the time period specified by QA policy.  Assures that all written protocols are within the guidelines of recognized professional/technical agencies, such as EPA, CDC, TNI, and FDA.  Ensures that appropriate validation of test methods is performed prior to routine use of a new or changed test method or instrument.  (15%)

EJF 5: Manages personnel matters within the Group and ensures group goals are supported through effective hiring, job descriptions, training plans, employee development, and performance management. Oversees employee selection, promotion, and transfer actions in a fair and timely manner, consulting with the Director on exceptional situations as needed. Maintains development records for staff, including current job descriptions, documentation of performance achievements or concerns, and employee conference notes. Applies agency procedures to address employee performance issues and supports staff growth by identifying and facilitating development opportunities. Ensures staff complete at least 6 hours of professional development training annually. Demonstrates responsiveness to staff concerns through timely follow-up and action, and conducts regular one-on-one and team meetings to encourage feedback, address concerns, and discuss recommendations. (15%)

EJF 6: Manages laboratory records and documentation, ensuring recordkeeping practices comply with QA policies. Maintains organized files of Group SOPs, validation studies, training and certification records, corrective action reports, and other quality documents. Develops and maintains procedures for archiving laboratory records on a scheduled basis. Maintains orderly personnel files and other essential Group records. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of radiochemistry principles, radiochemical analytical techniques, instrumentation, and laboratory practices used for the analysis of radionuclides in environmental and drinking water samples.
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry principles and methods used for testing environmental contaminants in water, food, and soil samples.
• Knowledge of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analytical methods, quality systems, and regulatory guidance.
• Knowledge of The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards, laboratory accreditation requirements, and quality assurance principles.
• Knowledge of quality control, quality assurance, and statistical methods used in laboratory analysis.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations governing radiological testing, environmental monitoring, and public health laboratory operations, including emergency response protocols.
• Knowledge of personnel supervision, employee development, and performance management practices.
• Knowledge of records management, document control, and retention requirements.
• Skill in evaluating radiochemical analytical methods, instrumentation, test systems, and laboratory performance.
• Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and coordinating multiple projects and competing workload demands.
• Skill in supervising, coaching, training, and evaluating professional and technical staff.
• Skill in identifying, investigating, and resolving technical, operational, and quality-related issues.
• Skill in implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Skill in interpreting radiochemical and analytical data and evaluating method performance.
• Skill in designing and maintaining systems for workflow management, inventory control, and recordkeeping.
• Skill in oral and written communication, including presentation of technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish team goals and monitor progress toward laboratory objectives.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex scientific, technical, and regulatory information and make sound decisions.
• Ability to interpret and apply radiochemistry, laboratory accreditation, quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, customers, regulatory agencies, public water systems, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and exercise professional judgment in technical and operational matters.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise staff while maintaining productivity, quality, and customer service standards.
• Ability to manage laboratory resources and ensure timely delivery of high-quality radiochemical analytical services.
• Ability to lead process improvements and adapt laboratory operations to changing program and regulatory requirements and technological advancements.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be able to meet the TNI (The NELAC Institute) technical manager requirements for radiological analytical testing within a year of employment.   [TNI requirements - Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental, biological sciences, physical sciences or engineering with twenty-four (24) college semester credit hours of chemistry with two or more years of experience in the radiological analysis of environmental samples. A master’s or doctoral degree in one of the above disciplines may be substituted for one year experience.]

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in a chemistry, environmental, biological sciences, physical sciences or engineering field from an accredited institution.
2. At least two years of laboratory experience in high complexity testing.
3. Experience in managing the work of others, either in a management or leadership role.
4. Preferred experience in a radiochemical testing laboratory testing drinking water, non-potable soil, food matrices. 
5. Preferred experience in a TNI/NELAC accredited and/or EPA certified laboratory environment with strong familiarity in performing quality control with corrective action documentation.

Additional Information:

Applicant selected for hire will be required to provide a photocopy of college transcripts demonstrating college credit hours. Applicants with diplomas awarded in countries other than the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated using an approved credentialing agency. 

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