State of Maryland

A Public Health Laboratory Principal Scientist Developmental is the advanced level of work performing public health laboratory applied research and development in the Maryland Laboratories Administration.  Employees in this classification serve as the technical consultant to the Division Chief, design experimental protocols and make recommendations for new technological advances which potentially could be applied to enhance testing procedures for infectious disease agents/hereditary disorders at the State Public Health Laboratory.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but do provide consultation and technical advice to Public Health Laboratory Scientists.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Division Chief, Deputy Director or Director of the Laboratories Administration.  Work is performed in a laboratory setting.  Employees may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.  Employees are required to observe infection control precautions in order to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Public Health Laboratory Principal Scientist Developmental is differentiated from the Public Health Laboratory Scientist Developmental II in that the Public Health Laboratory Principal Scientist is the chief technical expert with responsibility for oversight of research and development duties; develops and presents research papers; develops grant proposals and functions as the technical consultant to the Division Chief while the Public Health Laboratory Scientist Developmental II performs research and development duties and responsibilities under general supervision for the Maryland Laboratories Administration.

Functions as the Principal Scientist for the Research and Development Section of the Laboratories Administration;

Serves as the technical consultant to the Division Chief;

Oversees the research and development duties of lower-level Public Health Laboratory Scientists Developmental and reviews experimental data prior to presentation to the Division Chief;

Recommends new technological advances and procedural advances which potentially could be applied to the infections agent and heredity disorder testing mission of the Maryland Public Health Laboratory;

Writes research cooperative agreement grant proposals for public health laboratory testing to obtain funding for applied research and developmental projects;

Designs experimental protocols needed to conduct applied research or evaluations;

Compiles, organizes and reviews experimental data;

Writes reports, scientific papers or presents research findings at scientific meetings;

Performs applied research and development duties;

Performs special assignments for the Division Chief or the Director of the Laboratories Administration;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of advanced college-level biology, chemistry, and medical laboratory technology applicable to public health laboratory practice in biochemistry, environmental chemistry, microbiology, virology, immunology, and molecular biology;

Knowledge of mathematics, including algebra and statistics;

Knowledge of the theory and operation of common laboratory supplies, chemicals, equipment and instruments used in medical and public health laboratories;

Skill in performing applied research and in developing new laboratory testing procedures;

Skill in conducting scientifically-based evaluations of evaluations of new technologies and laboratory procedures;

Skill in performing and troubleshooting complex and specialized experimental/developmental assays;

Skill in designing experimental protocols;

Skill in following laboratory procedures and policies;

Skill in the use of common diagnostic and environmental laboratory supplies, reagents, chemicals and equipment;

Skill in the application of standard precautions in handling potentially infectious biological materials and hazardous chemicals;

Ability to conduct technical training of new laboratory techniques and procedures for one or more divisions within the Laboratories Administration;

Ability to oversee research and development activities for one or more divisions within the Laboratories Administration;

Ability to function as the technical consultant to Division Chiefs on research and development matters;

Ability to write research cooperative agreement grant proposals.

Education:   A Doctorate degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Medical Technology, Pharmacy or Zoology from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of experience performing applied public health research and development in a university, private or public health laboratory.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Health Science Research Officer classifications or Medical Laboratory Specialists specialty codes in the Science related field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G- Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.