State of Maryland

A Public Health Laboratory Scientist Developmental I is the intermediate level of work performing public health laboratory applied research and development in the Maryland Laboratories Administration.  Employees in this classification are responsible for the research and development of new technologies, analytical procedures and testing.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a Division Chief, or the Deputy 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 Scientist Developmental I, and Public  Health Laboratory Scientist Developmental II are differentiated on the basis of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Public Health Laboratory Scientist Developmental I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending upon the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Public Health Laboratory Scientist Developmental II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. 

Conducts applied research to develop new laboratory testing procedures for infectious disease agents/ hereditary disorders or environmental hazards at the Maryland Laboratories Administration;

Conducts scientifically based evaluations of new technologies and published laboratory procedures for potential implementation into routine public health laboratory testing algorithms;

Performs complex and specialized experimental/developmental assays and troubleshoots problems that arise during the performance of these assays;

Organizes and maintains daily experimental logbooks, compiles data and prepares experimental reports for the review of the Principal Scientist or the Division Chief;

Operates, maintains, and performs routine maintenance and makes minor repairs to complex, sophisticated laboratory equipment;

Completes special assignments as directed by the Division Chief, Deputy Director 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 new technologies and laboratory procedures;

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

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 universal precautions in handling potentially infectious biological materials and hazardous chemicals;

Ability to design experimental protocols;

Ability to conduct technical training of new laboratory techniques and procedures

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

Experience: Two years of experience working in a chemistry laboratory, performing analytical tests on environmental, biological or multi-matrix samples, or two years of experience working in a medical or public health laboratory performing diagnostic or public health testing on human specimens.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate  degree from an accredited college or university in any of the disciplines noted above for the required experience.

2. 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.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.