Laboratory Specialist (Micro/ BTEP) Position Available In Wake, North Carolina

Laboratory Specialist (Micro/ BTEP)

Salary
$59,732.00 – $98,557.00 Annually
Location Wake County, NC
Job Type
Permanent Full-Time
Job Number
25-06525 DPH 60041402
Department
Dept of Health and Human Services
Division
Public Health
Opening Date
06/12/2025
Closing Date
6/19/2025 5:00 PM Eastern
Job Class Title
Laboratory Specialist
Position Number
60041402
Salary Grade
MH16
DESCRIPTION
BENEFITS
QUESTIONS
Description of Work

• The Recruitment Range For This Position Is $59,732 – $61,018
• This position is 100% federally funded.
• This is a Laboratory Specialist position that provides direct laboratory support for public health emergency preparedness and response in collaboration with the CDC Laboratory Response Network (LRN) to the Microbiology Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens group (Micro BTEP).

This position provides culture and identification of organisms including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other toxins that cause disease and death in humans, animals, or plants. This position also provides direct laboratory support to the NCSLPH Microbiology Unit for the detection, identification, and characterization of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens that impact individual and public health. The procedures performed at this position are highly specialized and require a combination of classical microbiological and molecular techniques. Duties of this position also include providing testing consultation to physicians, epidemiologists, nurses, and laboratorians, and the routine use of a laboratory information management system (LIMS). Candidates must be able to adapt to changing requirements that can arise in a dynamic work environment and work well within multidisciplinary teams. Work is performed at Biosafety Levels 2 & 3 using proper containment techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. Surge capacity response during viral, bacterial, and/or fungal public health disease clusters, outbreaks, and/or pandemics is required. Work may require extended work hours to include weekends and/or holidays to meet routine and/or emergency specimen processing, testing, and reporting. The successful candidate will routinely coordinate with multiple partnering groups including

NCSLPH BTEP, NCSLPH

Microbiology, NCSLPH Molecular Epidemiology, NCSLPH Virology and Serology, and CDC LRN. Additionally, this position will require FBI security risk assessment approval (FBI background check). The Micro BTEP Laboratory Specialist will perform duties that include though are not limited to the following:
Perform laboratory operations per CDC LRN and NCSLPH protocols using various techniques to culture, isolate, identify, and characterize bacterial agents and toxins Perform laboratory operations per NCSLPH protocols using various techniques to detect, identify, and characterize a variety of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. Perform assay quality control and quality assurance for work performed, instrumentation preventative maintenance, and management of laboratory supplies and reagents
Cross-train in the Microbiology Unit to provide coverage and workload assistance
Provide laboratory testing consultation to physicians, epidemiologists, nurses & other laboratorians Coordinate and perform isolate shipments and quality assurance/ proficiency testing panel testing
Create and manage Micro BTEP standard-operating procedure manuals (SOPMs)
Perform and document quality assurance and quality control activities to Federal, State and SLPH regulations
Utilize STARLIMS and Ideagen compliance software for specimen submission, results entry, and document management Participate in verifications, validations, and implementation of new diagnostic assays
Assist with the management and procurement of reagents, supplies, and consumables
Train technologists upon request
About the Division of Public Health and the

State Laboratory of Public Health:

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community-based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional agencies. A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration, Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP), Chemical Terrorism and Threat, Environmental Sciences, Laboratory Improvement, Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology, Newborn Screening, Microbiology, Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response, and Virology/ Serology and is co-located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220,000-sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists, medical technologists, chemists, laboratory technicians, and support staff. The Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of four primary units containing various laboratories, all of which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. Collectively, the unit conducts highly complex testing procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical, reference, and environmental specimens. The Microbiology Unit provides clinical and reference microbiological testing for public and private laboratories, as well as for associated partners. This diverse unit performs testing such as organism identification and detection that aids in the diagnosis of foodborne, vaccine-preventable, parasitic, and fungal diseases. Microbiological culture and workups to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and a variety of other pathogens such as Legionella and Neisseria are also performed by this unit. Microbial resistance testing and surveillance methods are also performed within the unit. Results generated from this unit are utilized by a variety of partners for diagnosis, patient management, surveillance, and outbreak investigations.
The BTEP Unit provides testing for clinical specimens and environmental samples for the presence of high-consequent pathogens and agents of public health concern. The BTEP unit provides testing services 24/7, 365 days a year to support Public Health emergency preparedness response. BTEP unit testing involves detection of bacterial and viral agents, as well as biological toxins using various methodologies, including classical microbiological culture, isolation, biochemical characterization, molecular amplification, and immunoassay methods. Testing is performed within high containment BSL-3 laboratories subject to CLIA and Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP) regulations. The unit functions as an Advanced Reference Laboratory for the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN).
Campus Amenities and Benefits at the

State Laboratory of Public Health:

We are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.
220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
Plentiful Free Parking
Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
Weekly Food Trucks, including Double Food Truck Fridays
Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
Library of academic journals and materials on-site
Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits
About the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services manages the delivery of health and human-related services for all North Carolinians, especially our most vulnerable people – children, elderly, disabled and low-income families. The Department works closely with health care professionals, community leaders, advocacy groups, local, state and federal entities and many other stakeholders to make this happen.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit website for benefits:

oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits.
For more information about

DHHS:

ncdhhs.gov/
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed “eligible” for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed. Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:
Must be capable of meeting the Federal

CLIA ’88

personnel requirements of General Supervisor in a laboratory performing high complexity testing. Applicants must provide copies of their transcript(s) and/or certification(s) to be considered for the position. Experienced in performing classical microbiological (e.g., culture, staining, microscopy), and molecular techniques (e.g., real-time PCR) for the identification of disease-causing pathogens.
Experienced in working with infectious diseases, and knowledge of the hazards associated with working with potentially infectious materials and the appropriate safety precautions to avoid infections.
Experienced in quality assurance including proficiency testing, quality control, and adherence to standard operating procedures.

Management Preferences:

American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification
Experience working in a BSL3 environment using BSL3 work practices
Experience in conducting testing with highly infectious pathogenic organisms, including those designated as “Select Agents” by the CDC Federal Select Agent Program
Experience using chain-of-custody procedures

Physical Requirements:

An occupational medical assessment will be required to determine your ability to safely work with biological, chemical, or radiological hazards. This position also requires periodic medical screenings to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness.
All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by NCSLPH.
Work requires the candidate to wear a controlled-air purifying respirator (CAPR) and receive necessary vaccinations.
Work requires ability to distinguish colors and close visual acuity to perform data analysis and visual inspection of specimens using standard laboratory equipment.
Work requires use of laboratory equipment requires ability to manipulate items with fingers, ability to grasp, and ability to feel/perceive the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture.

Special Requirements:

As a control measure to reduce the risk of occupational injury or illness, NCSLPH requires certain medical services for personnel determined to have reasonably anticipated occupational exposure risk in biosafety level (BSL)-2 and -3 laboratories as well as chemical and radiological areas. Medical services required are specific to the occupational risks associated with each position. Required services may include but are not limited to:
Vaccination against the smallpox virus every two years is mandatory for persons entering this position. Approved medical clearance from occupational health is a condition of an employment offer.
Initial comprehensive medical exam to determine personnel’s ability to safely work with biological, chemical, or radiological hazards.
Medical screenings, immunizations, and other protective measures to mitigate risks associated with working in laboratories and to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness.
Monitoring of occupational radiological and/or chemical exposure.
All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by the employer.
Information obtained as part of any occupational health evaluations will be used by the occupational health provider to make an accurate assessment of your ability to safely work with hazardous materials. NCSLPH does not receive personnel medical information from the occupational health provider, rather the Supervisor and Biosecurity Officer will be notified that personnel are/are not able to safely work in the intended laboratory and any work restrictions or additional protective measures recommended.
If restrictions and/or protective measures are required for you to work safely in this position, compliance with the measures or restrictions will be mandatory and will included in your work plan. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
In addition to required medical services, at-risk employees are expected to immediately report changes in medical status to the occupational health provider and obtain updated medical clearance.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guidefor details.
Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:
Bachelors degree in medical technology, microbiology, chemistry or a closely related biological science field from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a medical laboratory or in the assigned work area; OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Qualifications:

Must be capable of meeting the Federal CLIA 88 personnel requirements for a general supervisor in a laboratory performing high complexity testing.

Note:

This is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to identify essential functions
Supplemental and Contact Information
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about

DHHS:

ncdhhs.gov/.
DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
Applicants maybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered “Positions of Trust” will be subject to a criminal background check.
Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at naces.org/members. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE:

Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisitiondhhs.nc.gov..
To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click “Application Status”. For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442. If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.
Employer
State of North Carolina
Website
http://ncdhhs.gov/
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