Senior Scientist (Microbial Reference) - CL067

Join the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) as a Senior Scientist and help drive critical microbial testing that protects Virginia’s public health, environment, and safety. Bring your expertise to a team leading advanced bacterial and fungal pathogen detection for statewide partners and emergency response networks. Apply today!

Title:Senior Scientist (Microbial Reference) – CL067

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $71,000 - $86,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of General Services

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of General Services (DGS) is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group for the Commonwealth's Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), which is one of the largest and most diverse consolidated state laboratories in the nation. With an annual budget of over 30 million dollars and over 250 state employees, DCLS performs approximately 9 million tests annually. Results from these tests are used confidently by local, state, and federal public health, agriculture, food regulatory, environmental protection, and law enforcement officials serving to protect our citizens, food supply, environment, and commerce. DCLS is a member of several public health networks and emergency response groups.

About the Microbial Reference Group
The Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services’ (DCLS) Microbiology Reference Group delivers specialized laboratory testing focused on detecting and identifying bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause disease in humans, whether found in food or in the environment. The group also plays a critical role in testing for high‑consequence pathogens and potential biological agents that could be used to threaten public safety.

Our team routinely analyzes human and environmental samples as part of investigations involving emerging infectious diseases, gastrointestinal illness outbreaks and in support of autopsy or suspicious death cases. We provide essential laboratory support to local, state, and federal agencies, as well as public and private laboratories across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

As a Senior Scientist in the Microbial Reference Group, this position will primarily focus on the Mycobacteriology testing section and job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs routine and emergency moderate to high-complexity laboratory testing with accuracy and efficiency.
• Documents work processes, organizes, schedules and prioritizes daily workflow for work area, ensuring testing turnaround times are met.
• Serves in a team lead capacity by training others to perform testing, demonstrating a high degree of independence and technical expertise.
• Reviews, verifies, and approves the work of team members, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of data and results within LIMS.
• Troubleshoots microbiological and molecular test methods and instrumentation 
• Assists with validation and verification of new instrumentation and methodologies
• Reviews and revises standard operating procedures
• Supports quality assurance efforts by upholding testing standards and ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of laboratory results.
• Maintains a safe and compliant work environment by following SOPs, safety protocols, and laboratory best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Meet the education, and experience or training requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for general supervisor in a high complexity microbiological laboratory as defined in 42 CFR 493.1461.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting complex laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures and interpreting data.
• Experience independently performing high complexity microbiological testing in a BSL-2 laboratory.
• Experience with clinical microbiological cultures and pathogen identification.
• Experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Experience serving as a team leader and/or training staff.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices.
• Good technical skills, strong attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication, time management, sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to follow procedures, prioritize work and identify errors.
• Ability to work on-call coverage holidays and weekends on an occasional basis.  The standard hours of work for this position are normal business hours (8:15 AM - 5:00 PM) Monday - Friday.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move 50 or more lbs. and frequently handle 20 lbs.

This position is in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.

Additional Considerations

• Meet specific subspecialty of mycobacteriology requirement of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) standard for technical supervisor as defined in 42 CFR 493.1449.
• Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST).
• Experience with molecular methods and procedures.
• Experience independently performing high complexity microbiological testing in a BSL-3 laboratory.
• Experience with the development and validation of new methods.
• Experience writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and/or reports of research findings/interpretations.

Special Instructions

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. Please be sure that all your relevant qualifications and considerations are specifically addressed in your submitted application. Online applications should be submitted via jobs.virginia.gov.

Fax, e-mail, or mail applications will not be accepted. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application has been successfully submitted. Applications will continue to be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received, but this position may be closed at any time after September 14, 2026.

Please refer to the “Your Application” page in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

Sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire. DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

DCLS Information:
Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer. In order to comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogen requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Biosafety Level 3 (BSL‑3) containment laboratory work will be required for this position. In accordance with OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, employees must complete and pass a respiratory medical evaluation before performing duties in a BSL‑3 laboratory. The respiratory physical will be provided by the employer.

DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.

Due to the critical nature of the work performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and the requirements and responsibilities placed upon DCLS by the Drug Free Workplace Act, Federal Select Agent Program, and DHRM Policy 1.05 Alcohol and other Drugs, it is the policy of DCLS to maintain a workplace that is free from the harmful effects of alcohol or other drugs. The unlawful or unauthorized use of drugs by DCLS employees while at work adversely impacts DCLS’s ability to perform high quality analytical testing services and support for local, state and federal agencies that serve to protect the health, safety and security of the public. As such, DCLS strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, prohibits employees from possessing or using alcohol, marijuana or any controlled substances (including, but not limited to prescription drugs) while in state owned vehicles, in the workplace or on DCLS premises, or when performing official work duties.   

Applicants that indicate they have preferential hiring rights in the form of a yellow form or blue card must submit these to our office prior to the closing of the posting, in accordance with DHRM policy 1.30. Please note that only current and former employees of the Commonwealth of Virginia that will be or have been laid off are eligible for preferential hiring rights.

The Virginia Department of General Services is an equal opportunity employer and a proud Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified employer. Individuals from minoritized groups, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals with AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service experience are encouraged to apply.

From July 1, 2026, through January 21, 2029, applicants who were terminated from a position of employment with the federal government on or after January 1, 2025 due to a reduction in the federal budget or initiatives put in place by the federal Department of Government Efficiency may be eligible for HB494 Federal Employee Priority Consideration. Applicants seeking HB494 Federal Employee Priority Consideration must identify themselves within the state application process and provide supporting documentation, including a Standard Form 50 (SF-50), verifying their eligibility. 

Contact Information

Name: DGS Human Resources

Phone: 804-786-3910

Email:

JOBS@dgs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.