Organic Chemistry Group Manager

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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.

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Functional Title: Organic Chemistry Group Manager 
Job Title: Lab Mgr V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental Sciences 
Posting Number: 7598 
Closing Date: 09/27/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Salary Range: $7,875.00 - $10,785.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL) 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 0203,0207,0302,0370,0520,0602,0802,1802,1803,2340,5502,6302,6502,7202,7208,7210,7220,7502,8005,8858 
9702,16GX,3D0X1,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,8U000,9G100,BOSN,ELC,ISS,MAT,MED,MLES,MSSD 
MSSE,MSSR,OSS,WEPS 
 

Brief Job Description:

Serves as Group Manager in the Organic Chemistry Group of the Environmental Chemistry Unit.  Oversees the Group's adherence to The NELAC (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference) Institute (TNI) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification requirements. Works under limited direction from Unit Director with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  Leads the group in adopting changes in practices, processes or techniques; ensures rapid and complete analysis of all samples submitted; assures the quality of all testing; manages personnel matters; manages laboratory records and other documents; and consults with clients, particularly the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), agency staff, industrial representatives, and other officials. Consistently ensures compliance with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Leads the group in adopting changes in practices, processes or techniques in response to customer needs, quality assurance policies, regulatory requirements, or opportunities for operational improvements.  Selects goals that address high priority needs, align with group and section goals, and can be achieved with available resources.  Sets realistic target dates for achievement of goals and manages projects such that target dates are met 85% of the time. Ensures that group goals are supported by personnel selection decisions, job descriptions, training and development plans, and performance management decisions.  Communicates goals and progress toward goals to group staff in regular individual and group meetings.  Ensures that changes conform to regulatory requirements, QA policies, and HHSC/DSHS administrative and personnel policies. (30%)

Ensures rapid and complete analysis of all samples submitted. Consults with submitters to resolve questions about analysis requests within one working day of receipt of incomplete or ambiguous test request, and consults with Unit Director or Quality Assurance Officer regarding questions which remain unresolved after three days. Works with team leaders to establish target turnaround times, monitor status of work in progress, ensure preparation of monthly reports on section performance, and initiate corrective action whenever targets are exceeded. Monitors problem solving efforts to ensure that equipment and method problems are resolved in a timely manner. Plans capital equipment acquisitions by analysis of benefit to the group, future costs of operation, and anticipated space and utility needs. Ensures that stocks of routine supplies are appropriate for the workload and the purchasing system by working with team leaders to establish and maintain a supply order system with minimum reorder points for all routinely used chemicals and supplies. (20%)

Assures the quality of all testing in the Organics Chemistry Group.  Monitors analytical performance within the group to assure adherence to written protocols, acceptable quality control results, thorough data review, satisfactory proficiency testing, and complete laboratory records. Leads and coordinates problem solving efforts when method or instrument difficulties impact the scientific validity and defensibility of test results. Reviews and approves new or revised SOPs. Reviews laboratory manuals annually and ensures that revisions are prepared within the time period specified by QA policy. Assures that all written protocols are within the guidelines of recognized professional/technical agencies, such as EPA, CDC, and FDA.  Ensures that appropriate validation of test methods is performed prior to routine use of a new or changed test method or instrument. (20%)

Manages personnel matters in the Organic Chemistry Group. Deals with employee selection, promotion, and transfers in a fair and timely manner, consulting with Unit Director as needed for exceptional situations.  Ensures that development notes are actively maintained for group personnel, including current job descriptions, documentation of exceptional performance and performance issues, and employee conferences.  Conducts group meetings so that employees are updated at least monthly. Provides for employee training to ensure continuous testing capability and professional development of employees.  Utilizes the procedures provided by the agency to respond to employee performance. (20%)

Manages laboratory records and other documents.  Ensures that record keeping practices conform to QA policies.  Maintains thorough and orderly files of SOPs, validation studies, training and certification of employee performance of test methods, corrective action reports, and other QA documents.  Develops and maintains systematic procedures for preparation of archival storage of laboratory records according to a periodic schedule.  Maintains orderly files of personnel records and other pertinent documents.  (5%)

Consults with clients, industrial representatives, and other officials.  Provides responses to inquiries from customers or regulatory officials and attends at least one technical or management training activity or professional association meeting each year. Ensures that requests for consultative services receive prompt professional and adequate responses. 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 and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of analytical chemistry principles and techniques for laboratory testing of environmental organic contaminants in water, food and soil samples, particularly organic drinking water methods (EPA 500 series).

Knowledge of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analytical methodology and quality system guidance documents.

Knowledge of the The NELAC Institute (TNI) Standard.

Knowledge of quality assurance and statistical methods in laboratory analysis.

Knowledge of HHSC personnel policies.

Knowledge of HHSC policies and procedures for records management and retention.

Knowledge of complex management principles and skill in their application.

Knowledge in laboratory safety requirements and chemical hygiene practices.

Skill in Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and data management best practices.

Skill in management of multiple priorities, balancing competing demands, and meeting deadlines. 

Skill in designing systems to manage workflow, maintain supplies inventory, and organize records.

Skill in leadership and staff development (coaching, mentoring, succession planning).

Skill in oral and written communication skills including public speaking.

Ability to conduct technical troubleshooting, analyze complex scientific and regulatory information and reach an appropriate conclusion.

Ability to build and maintain a culture of quality, innovation and continuous improvement. 

Ability to adapt to evolving regulatory, technological and organizational needs.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

 NA

Initial Screening Criteria:

Have earned a bachelor’s, masters, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, or biological discipline. Experience in the management of an environmental testing laboratory with NELAC Accreditation. Has at least one year of experience in the environmental analysis of organic analytes.   

Additional Information:

This individual will be expected to obtain recognition by TNI/NELAC as a Technical Manager within 12 months after date of hire.  

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