Branch Chief, Drinking Water & Radiation Laboratory Branch RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER

CDPH works to protect the public's health in California, and helps shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

The Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) is based on the Richmond Campus which employs more than 1,200 people. The Richmond Campus is a flat, 29-acre property located in Richmond's Marina Bay. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention. The CLS works to bring together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. In addition, the Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success.

The Drinking Water & Radiation Laboratory (DWRL) provides environmental radiation/radiochemistry measurements, testing marine biotoxins in shellfish, researching emerging chemical contaminants of public health concerns, testing of opioids and illicit drug residues, and is an accredited clinical laboratory for testing toxic substances and their metabolites in human specimens. DWRL conducts surveillance of wastewater to detect viral and bacterial diseases to protect, maintain and advance public health readiness against known and emerging infectious disease threats and does water testing for microbial pathogens and indicator organisms.

*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

*The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.

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Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Masters Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is a required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Masters and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.

The candidate works under the broad administrative direction of the Division Chief of the Environmental Health Laboratories. As the Chief of the Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory Branch, the Research Scientist Manager (RSM) (Chemical Sciences) (CS) provides direction and manages the programs and operation of the Branch. The RSM (CS) provides consultation on issues related to Californias laboratory analyses of water and other environmental matrices. The RSM (CS) manages, coordinates, conceives, and directs complex multidisciplinary laboratory research studies related to public health that provides valuable information to government entities, drinking water purveyors, and others in the scientific and public health communities. In this position, the RSM (CS) will prioritize and lead research efforts in identifying and addressing critical knowledge needs and gaps in the analysis of chemical, radiological, and toxicological constituents, as they relate to public health. The RSM (CS) serves as a Subject Matter Expert to the agency on chemical, radiological, and microbiological analyses as they relate to potential environmental exposures of public health concern.

In-office training required to start.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST MANAGER (CHEMICAL SCIENCES)

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

1. Managerial experience that demonstrates leadership, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and sound judgment in leading a group of multidisciplinary staff and a complex environmental laboratory program. Experience that demonstrates the ability to effectively plan, organize, and balance multiple and conflicting priorities to achieve the highest-level outcomes, resolve operational issues and develop timely, effective, and cost-effective solutions. Experience developing and managing a program budget and the allocation of personnel and other resources.
2. Experience demonstrating advanced interpersonal skills and written and oral communication. Experience demonstrating the ability to represent the Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory, including in various forums with high level management in the private industry, federal, state, and local government, environmental and community groups, and other CDPH constituencies.
3. Able to interact and communicate effectively with staff, managers, executive staff, and management representatives of federal, state and local agencies. Understands that people process information differently. Takes initiative to build and maintain relationships and seeks and understands cultural differences. Has clear expression of ideas, thoughts, and expectations. Is an active and empathetic listener; effectively communicates management decisions to staff.
4. Innovative problem solver. Applies new ways of thinking. Has the ability to solve problems, generates new ideas, and develops new approaches to achieve objectives. Capable of adapting quickly to changing needs.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of Californias diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.