Biosurveillance Unit Manager (Chemist III) 61006954-178765

Salary: $66,400.00 - $68,340.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 178765-61006954
Agency: SCDPH-PH Central Office
Opening Date: 08/01/2025
Closing Date: 9/15/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: ED15
Position Number:: 61006954-178765
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: GEN11
Hiring Range - Min.: $66,400.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $68,340.00
Opening Date: 08/01/2025
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume may be uploaded for review but will NOT be used to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position or substitute for completing any section of the application. Supplemental questions are considered part of the application and must be completed. The quality of the application presented (completeness and accuracy as well as grammar and spelling) will be considered prior to the offer of an interview. A criminal records check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Job Responsibilities
Careers at DPH: Work that makes a difference!

Embracing Service, Inspiring Innovation, Promoting Teamwork, Pursuing Excellence, and Advancing Equity
Plans, organizes, delegates, and supervises the work performed in the Biosurveillance Unit within the Chemistry Section. Maintains all requirements for the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program. Expands the Blosurvelllance Unit Into other areas of testing and surveillance Including per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) and harmful algal blooms (HABs}.
Maintains competency on validated methods, reviews and updates standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintains all quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) and purchasing records, ensures adequate supplies of all reagents and materials necessary for analysis. Performs instrument maintenance and troubleshooting. Oversees all method transfers and development. Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in toxicology testing.
Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements including Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other agencies, as applicable. Ensures compliance with all grant requirements as stipulated by Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), or other grantor's. as applicable. Participates In and supports successful laboratory audits and site visits.
Evaluates the need for and provides opportunities for appropriate technical and professional development for personnel. Documents training and competencies in accordance with laboratory quality assurance policies. Evaluates personnel using the Department of Public Health (DPH), Employee Performance Management Systems (EPMS), adhering to specified deadlines. Write reports on data obtained and present findings at scientific meetings and conferences. Assist Is data submission to the hospitals that are participating In the overdose biosurvelllance project by sending deidentified urine samples to the public health laboratory for analysis. Maintain the overdose biosurveillance dashboard by sending monthly data to the Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention.
Provides customer service to clients and partners. Works directly with Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) personnel and other Public Health Laboratory (PHL) partners. Provides consultation to agency personnel, SC emergency response partners, including, but not limited to, hospitals, poison control centers, law enforcement, and first responders. Maintains consistent communication with the Section Director and with other laboratory management, as needed.

Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers; or a bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with academic credits in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers. A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience.
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Agency Additional Requirements: Additional training or experience in chemistry, toxicology, laboratory management, or public health are preferred.
Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Preferred Qualifications
A master's degree in chemistry with at least two (2) year of experience working with analytical instrumentation and equipment including one or more of the following: LC-MS/MS, GC/MSD, ICP-MS, and/or HRMS with emphasis on analytical chemistry. Experience supervising or leading laboratory staff, including assigning tasks, reviewing data, and supporting team development. A strong background in Mass Spectrometry (MS), method development, separation science, instrument software, and computers is highly desired. Preference given to those with toxicology and clinical analytical chemistry experience. Experience with HRMS highly desired.

Additional Comments
DRIVING RECORD: If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10-year driving record.

EEO: The Department of Public Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation: Applicants needing an accommodation for medical reasons or a sincerely held religious belief may submit a request for an accommodation. A reasonable accommodation may be granted if it doesn't impose an undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:
• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

and
Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01

Please select which description best describes your level of experience as it pertains to the minimum requirements for this position. Please note, degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, Earth sciences, chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, etc.

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers;
• A bachelor's degree in the natural sciences with academic credits in chemistry and experience in a laboratory setting related to the area of employment, including experience in operating and interpreting test results from complex analytical instrumentation such as gas, ion or liquid chromatographs or atomic absorption spectrophotometers
• A doctorate in chemistry may be substituted for the required work experience.
• None of the above

02

Are you a current DPH employee or have you ever been employed by DPH or DHEC?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you willing to accept a salary within the agency's hiring range of $66,400 - $68,340?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess working knowledge of public health policies and procedures, including grant writing and budget preparation?

• Yes
• No

05

Please describe your experience with supervising or leading a laboratory team. Include the size of the team and your main responsibilities. . If you do not have any experience, please type "N/A" below.
06

Please describe your experience working with analytical instrumentation such as LC-MS/MS, GC/MSD, ICP-MS, or HRMS. Include the type of instruments you've used and the types of analyses you've performed. . If you do not have any experience, please type "N/A" below.
07

Briefly describe your experience with Method Development. If you do not have any experience, please type "N/A" below.
08

Do you have supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "Yes" to Question 8, please briefly describe your experience. If you do not have any experience, please type "N/A" below.
10

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. The application and not an attached resume will be reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

11

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application may upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

12

If this position requires the applicant to possess a valid driver's license to operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle, any applicant being considered in the final stages of selection for the position will be required to provide a certified copy of a 10 year driving record. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

13

How did you hear about this position?

• State NeoGov website (jobs.sc.gov)
• LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
• Employee Referral/Agency Recruiter
• College Job Board
• External Job Board (SC Works, Indeed, Association)
• Other

Required Question