MICROBIOLOGIST SUPERVISOR

Date: May 29, 2023

Req ID: 16001

Location:

Little Rock, AR, US, 72205

Category: ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE DEPT

Anticipated Starting Salary: 50,222

Position Number: 22094793
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: Open Until Filled
Anticipated Starting Salary: 50,222
Lab Services-Bacteriology

Hiring Authority

1 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, AR 72205

Phone: 501/823-1730

Email: russ.summers@agriculture.arkansas.gov

As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.

Position Information

Class Code: B034C

Grade: GS09

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Salary Range: $50,222.00 – $72,822.00

Summary

The Microbiologist Supervisor is responsible for directing the activities of a microbiology, clinical, or chemistry laboratory. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Provides supervisory guidance to subordinate employees by establishing work plans, timeframes, deadlines, and staff assignments, and resolving difficult or complex problems to ensure accurate and effective application of policies, rules, or precedents and the achievement of project goals. Designs, implements, and prepares standard protocols for new laboratory procedures. Maintains and monitors the operation of laboratory equipment by performing maintenance, calibration and repairs on instruments and equipment, and coordinates other repairs with contractors. Supervises quality assurance activities and institutes quality control activities to validate analytical results. Maintains inventory and quality of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supplies. Conducts research, develops new analytical methods, and adapts new methods for toxicological analysis. Represents the State in court as an expert witness. Provides technical assistance to departmental personnel, state and federal agencies, industry, and the public. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of microbiological theories and principles. Knowledge of laboratory management and analytical procedures. Knowledge of the methods and techniques of microbiological tests and analysis. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee the work of subordinates. Ability to direct the activities of a microbiological laboratory. Ability to perform specialized qualitative and quantitative analysis and research methods. Ability to write descriptive results of analysis and appear as expert witness in court.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or a related field; plus four years of experience in laboratory tests and analysis and laboratory operations, including two years in a microbiological laboratory. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

None

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Preferred Qualifications:

1-3 years laboratory management experience.
3+ years of diagnostic bacteriology experience using conventional methods and automated systems for bacterial identifications.
Experience performing and interpreting antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) from bacterial isolates.
Experience managing and performing laboratory work at or above Biological Safety Level 2 (BSL2).
Experience managing and performing laboratory work under a formal Quality Management System (QMS).
Familiarity recognizing and ruling out bacterial select agents and zoonotic/highly pathogenic microorganisms.
Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Biology, or other Life Sciences.
Ability and willingness to perform public speaking duties as assigned.
Certification for DOT shipping biological hazardous goods must be completed during the first 6 months of employment.
The ability and willingness to regularly wear personal protective equipment and to comply with fit testing requirements is a fundamental requirement of this position.
This position involves routine handling of specimens of animal bodily fluids, tissues, and microbiological cultures.
Vaccination against Rabies is required, as is documented maintenance of titer.

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate’s related education and experience.
This position is on-site, essential and is not approved for remote work.

Laboratory positions involve precise, repetitive work in high-throughput environments, e.g., pipetting, cutting of animal tissues, weighing specimens, etc.

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