Massachusetts Jobs

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxics and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources. MassDEP’s mission is to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s natural resources – air, water, and land – to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all people, and to ensure a clean and safe environment for future generations. In carrying out this mission, MassDEP commits to address and advance environmental justice and equity for all people of the Commonwealth; provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people to participate in agency decisions that affect their lives; and ensure a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. MassDEP seeks applicants with experience in the molecular analyses of regulated and unregulated microbiological and toxicological contaminants/parameters in drinking water and other environmental sample matrices for a Microbiologist III position in theDivision of Environmental Laboratory Sciences (DELS) within the Bureau of Planning and Evaluation (BPE). DELS serves as the state principal drinking water laboratory as required for primacy under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. DELS programs generate scientific information/data from the laboratory analysis of environmental samples and other activities that directly support MassDEP’s mission to protect human health and environmental quality and serve as critical links in the state’s disaster and homeland security preparedness efforts. This position will be based in MassDEP’s historic Senator William X. Wall Experiment Station (WES),Lawrence, MA (Massachusetts’ state environmental laboratory facility) andwill function as an Environmental Microbiologist in the DELS Environmental Microbiology and Toxicology Laboratory (EMTL). Duties for this position include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Servingas lead microbiologist performing highly complex molecular analyses of air, potable and non-potable water, ambient surface water, wastewater, biosolids, fish/biological tissue, soil, sediment, industrial liquid waste, solid and hazardous waste, and other types of environmental samples, including enforcement samples, for regulated and unregulated microbiological and toxicological contaminants/parameters, according to U.S. EPA and other standard methods, and maintaining analytical proficiency. Analyses include microbial source identification using human-specific and non-human molecular markers, and quantitation of bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens, and microbial toxin-producing genes (e.g., cyanotoxin genes) using PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, dPCR, and other molecular-based analytical methods; quantitation of cyanotoxins using ELISA methods; and determination of acute and chronic toxicity using microbial and other toxicity assays (e.g., Microtox assays). Providing support, as needed, for the analysis of bacterial indicators,/Legionella/spp. and other bacterial pathogens, bacteriophages, enteric viruses, and protozoan pathogens using culture and microscopic methods, and for the analysis of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). 2. Operating, repairing, servicing, and maintainingEMTL instrumentation, including microscopes, automated nucleic acid extraction platform, nucleic acid bioanalyzer, gel electrophoresis instrumentation, various PCR platforms, Microtox toxicity analyzer, ELISA analyzers, DO meter for BOD analysis, etc. 3. Assisting in the implementation and maintenance of the EMTL's quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) program. Performing first-level QA reviews of analytical data produced by other EMTL analysts. 4. Preparing/updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and applicable sections of the DELS-WES Laboratory Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) for the EMTL. 5. Entering sample information and analytical data into the MassDEP Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and generating sample analytical reports from the LIMS. 6. Assisting in the development and validation of new methods for the analysis of microbiological and toxicological contaminants and parameters in environmental samples. 7. Reviewing scientific literature to keep informed of new procedures, methods, materials, and findings in the fields of environmental analytical microbiology and toxicology. 8. Training new EMTL employees (including contract employees and interns) in the operation of analytical instrumentation and good laboratory practices. Supervising contract employees and interns. 9. Developing specifications for the procurement of new laboratory equipment and of expendable supplies for the EMTL. 10. Training and providing other assistance to MassDEP regional and program staff in the proper environmental sampling procedures for the analysis of microbiological and toxicological contaminants and parameters. 11. Advising MassDEP regional, program, and legal staffon environmental microbiological and toxicological analyses and providing courtroom testimony (oral and written) on analytical test results. 12. Assisting in the conduct of applied research pertinent to MassDEP programs on the analysis of microbiological and toxicological contaminants and parameters in the Massachusetts environment, and in documenting research results for publication, including publication in peer-reviewed journals. _Preferred Qualifications at Hire_: 1. A bachelor’s or graduate degree with a major in microbiology or molecular biology. 2. Five or more years of experience withanalytical microbiology and toxicology laboratory procedures/methods and instrumentation used to test environmental samples, including PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, dPCR, ELISA, and other molecular analytical methodsas described in the duties listed above, of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory or leadership capacity. 3. Skill in operating and maintaining complex analytical laboratory equipment. 4. Knowledge of and experience with analytical laboratory quality assurance/quality control and safety procedures. 5. Knowledge of and experience with the development and validation of environmental analytical microbiology and toxicology methods. 6. Knowledge of the techniques used for collecting, handling, and transporting environmental samples. 7. Knowledge of statistics as applied to environmental laboratory analytical data. 8. Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of microbiological and toxicological laboratory data to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations. 9. Experience with personal computers and associated software. 10. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong scientific writing skills. 11. Ability to adjust to changing situations and to meet emergency or changing program requirements. 12. Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel. 13. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. 14. Ability to respect confidentiality and exercise sound judgment/discretion in a professional manner. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have (A) at least five (5) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or academic research experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or medical laboratory technology or equivalent scientific field, of which (B) at least one (1) year must be in a supervisory or leadership capacity, or (C), any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Based on assignment, applicants must meet related Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) requirements for High Complexity Testing. Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, biology or medical laboratory technology, or related scientific field, may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. II. A Master's degree with a major in microbiology, molecular microbiology, biology or medical laboratory technology or equivalent scientific field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Doctoral degree with a major in microbiology, molecular biology, medical technology or related scientific field, may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. *Comprehensive Benefits* When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role. *Job: Science *Organization: Department of Environmental Protection *Title: *Microbiologist III Location: Massachusetts-Lawrence-37 Shattuck Street Requisition ID: 23000BY4