Laboratory Consultant (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is hiring! We are seeking a qualified individual for the position of Laboratory Consultant to work within the Environmental Laboratory Certification Program (ELCP). The ELCP is a program within the Emerging Contaminants Unit of the Environmental Health and Drinking Water Branch (EHDW) that is responsible for certifying laboratories that test a variety of contaminants including, but not limited to, water, soil, sediment, and waste. This is accomplished by a system of on-site inspections, proficiency test (PT) samples, and document review (i.e. Lab QA Plans and SOPs). In addition to licensure activities, the DWS ELCP unit conducts complaint investigations in all licensed and/or certified public health laboratories.

This Laboratory Consultant is being hired to support implementation of the recommendations in the CT Interagency PFAS Action Plan. The Laboratory Consultant will work to review Connecticut and out-of-state laboratories to become approved and certified for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis for environmental media including but not limited to water, soil, sediment and waste; conduct all in-state PFAS environmental laboratory inspections, track proficiency of PFAS test sample results, issue renewals for PFAS laboratories, approve laboratory directors, set State policies on laboratory certification issues, maintain the certification status of laboratories that conduct analysis for PFAS, investigating complaints, and acting as a liaison between the environmental laboratory community and the public, as well as State and Federal agencies.

Under the direct supervision of a Supervising Environmental Analyst, the Laboratory Consultant will be responsible for duties that include, but are not limited to:

• Performing on-site inspections of environmental laboratories
• Noting and recommending actions for correction of deficiencies found during on-site inspections
• Evaluating cleanliness, quality assurance, quality assessment and quality control procedures and methodologies
• Evaluating adequacy and effectiveness of instrumentation and equipment
• Evaluating skill and ability of technical staff in performance of tests and proper use of standards and controls
• Making recommendations to approve or disapprove initial license, relicensing and/or termination of license
• Reviewing and analyzing proficiency testing results from environmental laboratories
• Checking the identification and tracking of samples conducted by the environmental laboratory
• Evaluating the record keeping and written procedures
• Reviewing scientific methods used and determines compliance with CFR Parts 141 (drinking water), 136 (wastewater) 260, 261 solids/hazardous waste and RCRA SW846
• Providing information and consultation to laboratory personnel and general public concerning a variety of issues such as license, quality assurance and regulations
• Investigating complaints concerning laboratories or other facilities
• Maintaining knowledge of current rules and regulations, laboratory methodologies and equipment
• Performing related duties as required

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.

Are you interested in joining our team as Laboratory Consultant? We encourage you to apply today! This position is conveniently located in Hartford, CT. The work schedule for this position is typically Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position.  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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

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. 

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, 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. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

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.

Performs on site 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 on site 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 of and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of clinical chemistry, environmental chemistry, hematology, clinical microbiology, environmental microbiology, serology and laboratory quality control procedures; knowledge of immunohematology, cytology, histopathology and blood banking procedures; knowledge of laboratory analysis of drinking water, wastewater, solid waste and effluent discharge; interpersonal skills; oral and written communications skills; skill in calibration and use of laboratory instruments; ability to make accurate and objective observations.

Eight (8) years' professional laboratory experience in clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, medical technology or a related area.

1. 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.
2. 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.

• Experience with environmental laboratory data validation and data packages
• Experience with sample extraction technologies and procedures
• Experience with analytical acquisition software (Chemstation, Mass hunter, Target, etc.)
• Experience with proficiency testing in an environmental laboratory setting
• Certification as an EPA Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Officer or demonstrated experience to qualify for the EPA Certification Officer examination
• Experience with organic chemistry method development and method implementation

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
2. 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.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

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.