Introduction
Do you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is hiring! We are seeking qualified individuals to fill two Laboratory Consultant positions to work within the Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (ELCP).
Highlights:
- LOCATION: Hartford, CT
- SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday
- WORK HOURS: Full-Time, First Shift, 35 hours per week
- This position is based out of Hartford, CT. A flex schedule and an opportunity to telework in accordance with State policies may be permitted following the successful completion of a working test period.
What We Can Offer You:
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
You Will Discover The Opportunity To:
- Engage in a rewarding career;
- Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
- Thrive in an exciting environment;
- Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
The Role:
These positions will serve as a direct report to the Supervising Environmental Analyst of ELCP. The ELCP is responsible for certifying laboratories that test a variety of environmental contaminants including, but not limited to, air, water, soil, sediments, and wastes. This is accomplished by a system of on-site inspections, proficiency test (PT) samples, and document review (i.e. Lab QA Plans and SOPs). Additionally, the ELCP conducts compliance investigations.
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
- Performing on-site inspections at environmental laboratories.
- Reviewing and analyzing proficiency testing results from environmental laboratories.
- Reviewing the identification and tracking of samples conducted by the environmental laboratory.
- Evaluating laboratory record keeping and written procedures.
- Evaluating skill and ability of technical staff in performance of test and proper use of standard and controls.
- Evaluating adequacy and effectiveness of instrumentation and equipment.
- Evaluating cleanliness, safety, quality assurance, and quality control procedures and methodologies.
- Reviewing scientific methods used and determining compliance with CFR Parts 141 (drinking water), 136 (wastewater) 260, 261 solids/hazardous waste and RCRA SW846.
- Maintaining up to date and accurate information in the ELCP database.
- Developing or making recommendations on development of policies and standard operating procedures.
- Monitoring and providing technical assistance to environmental laboratory directors and personnel, including consultation on certification requirements, quality assurance and regulations.
- Assisting with handling of complaints and investigations and initiating disciplinary actions, as needed.
- Maintaining knowledge of current rules and regulations, laboratory methodologies and equipment.
- Providing information and technical support both internally and externally on a variety of issues such as regulations, methodology, quality assurance and licensing regarding environmental laboratories.
- Performing related duties as required.
About Us:
The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.
DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
To Apply:
- In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
- In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
- All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
- Although applicants will receive correspondence via email and/or phone, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
- This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
- Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
- Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
- Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
- Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Julie Barker via email at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Laboratories this class is accountable for the inspection of clinical, environmental and hospital laboratories and other facilities under jurisdiction including evaluation of analytical methods and procedures and review of quality control data and analysis records.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Performs onsite inspections of clinical, environmental, hospital, canine, research and veterinary laboratories, plasmapheresis centers and blood collection facilities;
- Notes and recommends actions for correction of deficiencies found during onsite inspections;
- Evaluates cleanliness, lighting, ventilation and safety installations;
- Evaluates quality assurance, quality assessment and quality control procedures and methodologies;
- Evaluates adequacy and effectiveness of instrumentation and equipment;
- Evaluates laboratories for safety and freedom from biological, chemical, physical and radiological hazards;
- Evaluates skill and ability of technical staff in performance of tests and proper use of standards and controls;
- Makes recommendations to approve or disapprove initial license, relicensing and/or termination of license;
- Prepares performance evaluation samples for laboratories;
- Reviews and analyzes proficiency results from environmental and medical laboratories;
- Checks records and written procedures;
- Reviews scientific methods and determines compliance;
- Provides information and consultation to laboratory personnel and general public concerning a variety of issues such as license, quality assurance, regulations, etc.;
- Investigates complaints concerning laboratories or other facilities;
- Maintains knowledge of current laboratory methodologies and equipment;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
- clinical chemistry, environmental chemistry, hematology, clinical microbiology, environmental microbiology, serology and laboratory quality control procedures;
- immunohematology, cytology, histopathology and blood banking procedures;
- laboratory analysis of drinking water, wastewater, solid waste and effluent discharge;
- Skills
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communications skills;
- in calibration and use of laboratory instruments;
- Ability to make accurate and objective observations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Eight (8) years of professional laboratory experience in clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, medical technology or a related area.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
- College training in chemistry, medical technology, microbiology or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
- A Master's degree in chemistry, medical technology, microbiology or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with environmental laboratory data validation and data packages.
- Experience with environmental laboratory methods.
- Experience with Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS).
- Experience with proficiency testing in an environmental laboratory setting.
- Experience with environmental laboratory method development and implementation.
- Certification as an EPA Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Officer or demonstrated experience to qualify for the EPA Certification Officer examination.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
- Incumbents in this class inspecting environmental laboratories must successfully complete the U.S. Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Course (organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology) and be certified as a State Certification Officer by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency office.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
