Scientists (biological threat emergency response) - cr113, cr603

Are you a Scientist knowledgeable about microbiological, molecular biology, or medical sciences?

Are you ready to make a real impact in a fulfilling career with the Commonwealth?

Protect the Commonwealth and advance your career as a Scientist in our Biological Threat Emergency Response Group, where science drives mission‑critical emergency response.

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State Role Title: Scientist I

Hiring Range: $62,000 - $78,000

Pay Band: 4

Location: DCLS

Agency Website: www.dgs.virginia.gov

DGS is seeking two Scientists for our Biological Threat Emergency Response Group (BTER) laboratory at the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS). In these positions, you’ll analyze unknown substances to identify biological threats that directly influence public health and safety. Your expertise will strengthen statewide preparedness and support coordinated emergency response efforts.

BTER is an all hazards emergency response laboratory that provides 24/7 laboratory testing services to hundreds of local state and federal agencies including the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and federal partners including but not limited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Homeland (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

BTER scientists investigate unknown or suspicious substances potentially associated with acts of terrorism using a multidisciplinary approach that enables the detection, identification, and confirmation of biological threat agents. Our team works with a diverse range of sample types including clinical, environmental, and food samples to support public health, environmental protection, and emergency response efforts across Virginia and beyond.

This is a full-time, restricted position funded by a federal grant. Continued employment is contingent upon the continued availability of funds. Employees in classified restricted positions are eligible for the state employee benefits package (including leave, healthcare, retirement, etc.). Please refer to DHRM Policy 2.20, Types of Employment and DHRM Policy 1.30, Layoff for additional information.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform routine and emergency moderate to high-complexity microbiological, molecular, and/or immunological laboratory testing while maintaining turnaround times and managing workload priorities.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of test results by maintaining chain of custody, performing QA/QC procedures, troubleshoot testing, documenting maintenance, and ensuring data accuracy in LIMS.
• Maintain professional relationships and provide responsive support to internal and external customers.
• Support DCLS mission through effective teamwork.
• Maintain a safe and compliant work environment by following SOPs, laboratory best practices, and safety protocols, up to and including BSL-3 safety protocols.

This position is located in Richmond, Virginia and must report on-site.

This position also serves on the BTER team's on-call rotation to respond emergency testing required outside of normal business hours and participates in testing rotations during public health emergencies, outbreaks, and pandemics.

We’ve got great benefits!

DGS offers excellent health benefits at affordable pricing, pre-tax spending accounts, paid life insurance, paid Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and other leave benefits, wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. Additionally, DGS is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work weekends, after-hours as well as on-call coverage on a rotational basis. The standard hours of work for this position are normal business hours (8:15 AM - 5:00 PM) Monday - Friday.
• Meet Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements for a testing personnel in a high complexity-testing laboratory as defined by 42 CFR 493.1489.
• Knowledge of microbiological, molecular biology, or medical sciences.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and protocols.
• Knowledge of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation.
• Effective and professional oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully independently and in a team environment.

Visa sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire.

The selected candidate must also pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Additionally, the candidate must complete a federal security risk assessment (FD-961). The selected candidate will be responsible for testing clinical and environmental samples for select agents and toxins regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program and must pass an FBI background security clearance check, a FSAP background check, as well as health clearance to work with select agents.

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in a biosafety level three (BSL-3) environment.
• Experience working with Select Agents.
• Experience performing nucleic acid extraction from a variety of matrices and performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (Standard and Real-Time) testing.
• Experience performing bacterial cultures, biochemical testing, and other conventional microbiological procedures.
• Experience performing immunoassays.
• Experience with computer interfaced instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Special Instructions

The online state application must contain all required information and fully respond to questions to be considered for this job opportunity. Please be sure that all of your relevant qualifications and considerations are specifically addressed in your submitted application.

This position has regulatory requirements that necessitate certain qualifications, outlined in the information provided above. If you intend to utilize education to meet these requirements, you must submit an unofficial transcript with your application, including a conferral date.

Prior to your first day of employment, you will also be required to submit official attestations from the organizations at which qualifying training and/or experience was attained. Individuals who have degrees from foreign institutions must have an evaluation of their credentials to determine their education is equivalent to that of a United States (U.S.) institution.

Online applications should be submitted via jobs.virginia.gov.

Fax, e-mail, or mail applications will not be accepted. For assistance or computer access, please visit your local Virginia Employment Office or contact our office jobs@dgs.virginia.gov or 804-786-3910.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application has been successfully submitted. Applications will continue to be accepted until a suitable pool of candidates is received, but this position may be closed at any time after October 30, 2026. Please refer to the “Your Application” page in your account to check the status of your application for this position. Applicants in need of accommodation during the application and/or interview process may contact DGS at 804-786-3910 for assistance.

Visa sponsorship will not be provided for this position now or in the future. Confirmation of eligibility to work will be required at time of hire. DGS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

The selected candidate must pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check. To comply with Federal Select Agent Program, the candidate must also complete a federal security risk assessment (FD-961). The selected candidate will be responsible for testing clinical and environmental samples for select agents and toxins regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program and must pass an FBI background security clearance check, a FSAP background check as well as health clearance to work with select agents.

Blood-borne pathogen training will be provided by the employer. To comply with OSHA blood-borne pathogens requirements, DCLS offers the Hepatitis B vaccine, and bacterial meningitis vaccines. Biosafety Level 3 containment laboratory work is necessary and has associated vaccines, as appropriate. The OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard is required for BSL-3 laboratory duties and involves passing a respiratory physical prior to working in a BSL-3 laboratory. The respiratory physical and required vaccines will be provided by the employer.

DCLS employees are designated as essential personnel. This designation requires DCLS employees to report to the workplace or at an assigned remote location during state authorized closings or delays (i.e., weather-related closures/delays, holidays, etc.), unless otherwise instructed by management.

Due to the critical nature of the work performed by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and the requirements and responsibilities placed upon DCLS by the Drug Free Workplace Act, Federal Select Agent Program, and DHRM Policy 1.05 Alcohol and other Drugs, it is the policy of DCLS to maintain a workplace that is free from the harmful effects of alcohol or other drugs. The unlawful or unauthorized use of drugs by DCLS employees while at work adversely impacts DCLS’s ability to perform high quality analytical testing services and support for local, state and federal agencies that serve to protect the health, safety and security of the public. As such, DCLS strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs, prohibits employees from possessing or using alcohol, marijuana or any controlled substances (including, but not limited to prescription drugs) while in state owned vehicles, in the workplace or on DCLS premises, or when performing official work duties.