Public Health Laboratory Program Chief-Microbiology

at State of Vermont in Colchester, Vermont, United States

Job Description

The Vermont Department of Health is looking for our next Public Health Laboratory Microbiology Program Chief! 

The Microbiology Program Chief serves as the scientific and managerial lead of the microbiology program in our public health laboratory. They provide high-level leadership to a 14-person team. They direct the work of this team to provide clinical testing, surveillance testing, and response to outbreaks or investigations of high importance to public health. 

Our ideal candidate is a collaborative strategic thinker and expert project manager; a leader who takes pride in their ability to recognize the strengths and abilities of others and can leverage the abilities of their team to tackle challenges. More than a technical expert, they apply their knowledge and training to rapidly evolving situations, can be decisive with incomplete or evolving information, and have the leadership and management experience needed to inspire their team to work together toward a common goal. 

Examples of Work: 

• Leading a team to develop federal grant budgets and milestones.
• Managing microbiology program staff and resources to conduct testing in response to outbreaks of investigations of public health importance.
• Ensuring high quality testing by ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and participation in activities such as validation, verification, and procedural development. 
• Serving as a microbiology subject matter expert during public health emergency preparedness and response.
• Coordinating closely with colleagues in Infectious Disease Epidemiology and teams in other divisions of the Health Department, such as Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness and Response. 
• Representing the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory in meetings with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), and other regional and national coordinating bodies.  
• Serving as a spokesperson in response to media inquiries.
• Serving on the Laboratory Leadership Team and playing a key role in setting the overall strategy and direction of our laboratory. 

Working With Us

The Health Department's public health laboratory sits within the Division of Laboratory Sciences and Infectious Disease along with the Immunization Program and Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program. All positions in our division are driven by our shared vision, mission, and core values.

Our Department's Vision: All people and communities in Vermont have equitable opportunities to achieve their highest level of health and well-being.   

Our Division's Mission: To detect, monitor, and prevent infectious disease, environmental, and other threats to public health, equitably for all Vermonters. 

Our Division's Core Values: 

• Integrity
• Equity
• Collaboration
• Collective Resilience

We are especially interested in candidates who contribute to our diversity and commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect, acceptance, and equal opportunity. We are seeking people of all genders and backgrounds who are dedicated to improving economic, social, and health conditions for all Vermonters, and are committed to a vision of Vermont that embraces all people who live here. Our work is best when a rich array of voices is included, and a shared mission and values exist. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people from all economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Work is performed in a laboratory which tests for hazardous materials, infectious diseases and chemical toxins. Protective clothing and use of a respirator may be required. Manual dexterity and good vision are required to operate sophisticated laboratory instruments. Duties may involve court appearances, and attendance at a variety of meetings for which private means of transportation must be available. Some evening or weekend work may be required.