BIOTHREAT COORDINATOR

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed charm with top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City's residents. If you have a passion for being part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Biothreat Coordinator oversees the Milwaukee Health Department’s Laboratory’s (MHDL) Select Agent, Emergency Preparedness, and Biosafety programs.

Select Agent Program

• Serve as the Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) and oversee daily operation of the Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats (LRN-B).
• Assure compliance with Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and other applicable regulatory bodies.
• Maintain necessary permits for performing Select Agent testing.
• Lead internal audits and assessment of LRN-B activities. Serve as the primary MHDL representative during external audits and assessments of the LRN-B program.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external partners of the LRN-B program, including local, state and federal partners, such as the Biowatch Advisory Committee (BAC), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) .
• Perform and interpret the results of laboratory tests used to identify the select agents that may be used as a tool of bioterrorism; report results to appropriate agencies.
• Initiate laboratory protocols during a suspected bioterrorism event, including coordinating the collection and transport of specimens to the MHDL and overseeing or conducting specimen evaluation, laboratory tests, shipment to a higher level of laboratory and reporting results.

Emergency Preparedness

• Serve as the MHDL’s primary point of contact for emergency programs and activities.
• Participate in developing and maintaining the laboratory’s Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), including surge planning.
• Participate in emergency response planning and execution of drills in collaboration with various local, state, federal programs.
• Complete after-action reports.

Safety and Quality Assurance

• Lead quality improvement initiatives to improve the MHDL LRN-B laboratory operations.
• Attend relevant training courses relative to responding to a bioterrorism incident or operating equipment utilized in appropriate testing.
• Direct, manage and provide guidance for the MHDL safety program and procedures.
• Develop and implement laboratory safety programs and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide senior management with guidance and support on chemical and biological safety.
• Develop and implement risk assessment tools for the MHDL, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), packaging, specimen processing, etc.
• Interpret federal, state and agency guidelines for a safe/secure work environment, in collaboration with human resources and safety.

Administration

• Participate as a member of the senior management team; advise the Commissioner of Health relative to biothreats and related hazards.  
• Approve student and intern program placement within the Clinical Services Branch.  
• Maintain documents and records for grant reviews, regulatory inspections, and programmatic review by the Responsible Official.
• Order equipment and supplies for the LRN-B laboratory. 
• Lead, coordinate, and contribute to staff training and educational sessions.  
• Assist in the development, validation, verification, and troubleshooting of scientific procedures, protocols, processes, and policies related to LRN-B testing.
• Develop and maintain training materials for the LRN-B testing staff.
• Monitor and oversee LRN-B proficiency testing, including providing reports of results.
• Develop and implement laboratory safety programs and SOPs.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert to provide senior management with guidance and support on chemical and biological safety.
• Develop and implement risk assessment tools for MHDL, including PPE, packaging, specimen processing, etc.
• Interpret federal, state and agency guidelines for a safe/secure work environment in collaboration with human resources and safety.

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

The Biothreat Coordinator must be willing and able to do the following:

· Pass an in-depth security background check, including fingerprinting, to participate in the Laboratory Response Network (LRN).

· Due to the nature of biothreat testing, the incumbent must be available for after-hours/on call work, must be able to wear a respirator (N95, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), or equivalent) and must work in a Biosafety Level-3 (BSL3) environment.

1. Master’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Two years of experience working in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified clinical laboratory, in molecular diagnostics and/or in microbiology.  
3. Valid driver's license at time of appointment and throughout employment or ability to travel independently throughout the City of Milwaukee by public transportation, walking, bicycling, or driving.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Technical

· Ability to utilize traditional microbiological techniques and molecular assays, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 

· Knowledge of and ability to perform environmental and clinical diagnostic testing, including use of basic lab equipment (e.g., pipettes, biosafety cabinet, autoclaves).

· Ability to effectively utilize advanced laboratory equipment for molecular testing, including automated nucleic acid extractors (e.g., MagNA Pure 24) and thermocyclers (e.g., ABI7500).

· Knowledge of laboratory principles and project management.

· Knowledge of biosafety and chemical safety, including the proper use of PPE.       

· Knowledge of clinical and/or public health microbiology, including quality control and laboratory safety.

· Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations governing the operation of a public health laboratory.

· Knowledge of regulatory standards and accreditation agencies relevant to assigned work areas to assure laboratory certifications and standards are maintained.

· Knowledge of common causes and modes of transmission of communicable diseases and emerging pathogens of public health importance.

· Knowledge of health and safety precautions and procedures required in a laboratory setting.

· Knowledge of the standards and practice of Biosafety Level 2 and 3, applied research, program development and evaluation.

· Knowledge of laboratory management, including continuous process improvement methods.

· Knowledge of and ability to work effectively with computer applications, including the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), document management, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, and database software.

· Knowledge and experience in applied research as exemplified by the public-private partnerships, active participation in professional organizations and journal publications.

· Ability to apply mathematical and statistical operations to tasks.

· Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to practical problems.

Communication and Interpersonal  

· Excellent written communications skills to author effective, persuasive speeches, presentations and articles on complex scientific, regulatory and policy topics.

· Excellent verbal communications skills to present complex topics and deliver persuasive speeches to varied audiences.

· Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team, other agencies and institutions and the public.

· Ability to foster an environment of diversity and inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths, and feel that they can safely express themselves.

Leadership and Judgment

· Critical thinking skills

· Analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to make effective decisions, using sound judgment.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality.

· Effective time management, planning, and organization skills to handle multiple assignments simultaneously, adjust to changing priorities and complete assignments in a timely manner.

· Acute attention to detail and observation skills.

· Ability to use reason and logic to identify and solve problems.

· Ability to work independently and determine best steps to take to achieve broad goals with minimal supervision.

· Ability to provide staff oversight and handle personnel issues.

· Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment, remaining positive and poised under pressure and to handle sensitive situations diplomatically and professionally.

· Commitment to the promotion of health and the prevention of disease.

· Ability to foster and promote an environment of critical and creative thinking, professional development, continuous learning, open communication, responsibility, accountability and collaboration.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2MX) is $85,087-$112,137 annually, and the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $ 87,639-$115,501 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending ArrangementCommuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

· Applications and further information may be accessed by visiting https://www.jobapscloud.com/MIL/

· If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.

· The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

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The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.