Laboratory Safety Group Manager

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description

Serves as the Laboratory Safety Group Manager for the Public Health Laboratory Division (PHLD) under the direction of the Laboratory Building Operations Branch Manager. Performs highly complex (senior-level) managerial work administering daily laboratory-related operations of the Laboratory Safety Group and supporting safety activities of the Public Health Laboratory Division. Ensures the safety and compliance program functions overseen meet federal and state regulations for laboratory safety and testing. Establishes and ensures adherence to laboratory and safety-related standard operating procedures and quality assurance regulations/guidelines. Supervises personnel through monitoring, coaching, and evaluations. Provides direction, guidance, and assistance to staff supervised. Establishes goals and objectives for continuous improvement to laboratory operations including but not limited to laboratory safety, laboratory testing and quality management system. Monitors procurement, contracting, and fiscal aspects of the operations of laboratory functions overseen. Provides laboratory-related professional consultation, technical expertise, and guidance to laboratory management, customers, professional organizations, and staff. Works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions # 1 (40%)

EJF 1.  Administration of daily laboratory-related operations and activities supporting safety, staff and quality assurance laboratory testing of laboratory specimens/samples received from submitters throughout the State of Texas. Ensures the safety and compliance program functions overseen meet federal and state regulations for laboratory testing including but not limited to The NELAC Institute (TNI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), International Organization for Standards (ISO) ISO/IEC 17025, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Department of Transportation (DOT), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and/or the Select Agent Regulations. Analyzes complex scientific and regulatory information and reaches appropriate solutions. Composes and reviews policies, standard operating procedures, and detailed laboratory-related reports. Develops, maintains, and ensures compliance with a laboratory-wide quality assurance and safety program. Identifies opportunities for improvement of laboratory-related operations, evaluates problems, and proposes solutions. Assists with implementation of changes resulting from changed or new legislation related to functions overseen. Confers with executive management to develop strategic plans. Establishes goals and objectives for continuous improvement to laboratory operations including but not limited to laboratory safety, quality management system, and laboratory testing.

Essential Job Functions #2 (35%)

EJF 2. Hires, supervises, trains, mentors and evaluates staff. Provides or coordinates training for staff on laboratory functions overseen, unique quality and safety requirements of specific regulatory agencies, continuous quality improvement methods, and problem-solving techniques. Assigns tasks and establishes deadlines; performs all required supervisory human resource activities including preparing performance plans and evaluations within established time frames.

Essential Job Functions #3 (20%)

EJF 3. Develops goals, oversees implementation, and manages resources and budgets. Plans and manages purchasing, maintenance contracts, equipment, and other laboratory-related procurements for functions overseen. Determines appropriate specifications for testing reagents, service contracts, and equipment. Ensures purchases, delivery, and inventory for adequate supplies are made to meet laboratory needs. Provides personnel, expendable supplies and services, and equipment needs to management. Assures cost-effective and efficient workflow by researching, developing, and implementing new laboratory-related procedures, techniques, and policies. Provides laboratory-related professional consultation, technical expertise and guidance to laboratory management, customers, professional organizations, and staff. Maintains technical knowledge and proficiency through study of peer-review journals and attendance at scientific meetings. May assist with peer review audits as instructed by Lab Director.

Essential Job Functions #4 (5%)

EJF 4. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment/location. Assures adequate contingency plans for testing, quality assurance, and safety. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Comprehensive knowledge of public health laboratory safety, technology, techniques and terminology specific for functions overseen.

Knowledge of laboratory safety including biosafety level containment.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Knowledge of budgetary, purchasing, and material management procedures.

Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Skill in oral and written instructions and communication.

Skill in effective decision-making, negotiation, facilitation, coordination and collaboration.

Skill in identifying project challenges, risks and gaps.

Ability to teach work area procedures to subordinates and guests.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to both internal and external customers.

Ability to interact with customers on a variety of concerns including complaints.

Ability to establish goals and objectives for work teams and to monitor the progress of teams.

Ability to change or adapt to challenges or unexpected changes with flexibility and a positive attitude.

Ability to initiate, plan, implement, evaluate and deliver a project or assignment in a timely manner.

Ability to develop an action plan to execute a specific project to achieve a specific goal.

Ability to work in harmony with others.

Initial Screening Criteria: 

1. Have an earned bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution and have at least one year of high complexity laboratory experience; or have an earned associate’s degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science, or medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution and have at least two years of high complexity laboratory experience, required. Experience and education may be substituted as defined by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.

2. A minimum of 5 years public health laboratory or hospital supervisor/manager experience, preferred.

3. Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws applicable to public health and/or safety, required.

4. Experience in writing, developing, implementing and monitoring policies and procedures, required.

5. Experience in mentoring, coaching and/or counseling employees and/or teams, required.

6. Experience in laboratory/hospital safety programs, protocols, risk management and/or administrative aspects of safety in the workplace, preferred.

Additional Information

Must be willing to work holidays and weekends. Must be willing to work hours other than 8am - 5pm.

Transportation: Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in the performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas driver’s license for the appropriate type vehicle. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, applicants will have their driving records checked through the Department of Public Safety and applicants must have a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.

Immunizations: Compliance with DSHS Laboratory Exposure Control Plan required: vaccine requirements are consistent with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and other national guidelines for employee groups based upon job duties and tasks.

NOTE: When completing your application, include details about your job experience as it relates to the essential functions, knowledge/skills/abilities, and screening information provided on this Position Description.

Environmental or Hazard Demands of Essential Job functions:

• Working:
  • Indoors, sitting, walking, hearing, vision
• Exposure to:
  • Human blood, bodily fluids, tissue or wastes

Candidate Selection

• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
• The final salary offer must follow DSHS starting salary guidelines and will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, program area budget, and system/supervisor approvals.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form