Public Health Assistant Laboratories Director

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist the Laboratory Director in the support, maintenance and enhancement of the clinical laboratory testing services under the MHD Medical branch.
• Coordinate the activities of the clinical laboratory sections, MHD medical branch and external partnering agencies.
• Ensure compliance with the requirements of laboratory regulatory agencies and professional accrediting organizations relevant to clinical testing.
• Assist in financial oversight by monitoring and reporting monthly revenue and expenditures for each laboratory areas.
• Serve as the technical adviser to the clinical lab, MHD communicable and sexually transmitted infections programs, clients and community partners. 

• Supervise and manage scientific sections of the MHD laboratory, including coordination of testing staff, quality assurance and control, safety activities, hiring, training and competency, continuing education and personnel-related matters.
• Provide technical leadership in the evaluation, analysis and validation of test results of routine and emerging methods for microbial and molecular testing.
• Provide day-to-day management of staff, prioritization of work, staff time approvals, coordination of supply orders, maintenance of equipment and laboratory spaces, prompt and accurate processing of specimens and timely reporting of quality lab results.
• Schedule and coordinate bench level laboratory technical staff activities.
• Explore and adopt new technologies in the detection of microbial pathogens in clinical samples to enhance laboratory diagnostic capabilities.
• Explore possibilities for expanding laboratory operations in clinical and disease surveillance testing areas, per state and federal guidelines.
• Develop policies and procedures and document laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs); adhere to research and technology standards and the governance framework set by MHD programs and laboratory leadership.
• Collaborate with IT support services to upgrade the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and to improve laboratory proficiency and efficiency in providing state-of-the-art services.
• Ensure all regulatory compliance obligations are met such as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations, the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC)’s Select Agent Program responsibilities and deliverables for Laboratory Response Network (LRN), for continuing education and relevant proficiency testing programs.

• Provide oversight of specialty programs such as public health preparedness and response as well as to emerging pathogens laboratory.
• Pursue appropriate grant opportunities with the MHD programs, community partners and academic and private sector collaborators.
• Liaise with external agencies including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), state public health laboratory, local hospitals/clinics, and Police, Fire, and Emergency Management, to ensure MHD Laboratory preparedness expectations are met during public health emergencies.
• Maintain academic relationships by serving as a guest lecturer and mentoring students; hold teaching affiliations with local colleges, research institutes and universities as appropriate, including the UW- Milwaukee School of Biomedical Science and the Zilber School of Public Health.
• Explore revenue generating options for the City of Milwaukee with internal and external clients and collaborators.

• Participate in departmental and community activities to support the mission of the Milwaukee Health Department-PHL.
• Coordinate the activities across laboratory sections, MHD’s medical, environmental, policy branches and external partnering agencies.
• Present MHD Laboratory activities and outcomes at local, state, national, and international committees, meetings and conferences.  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Work outside standard business hours to respond to public health and security emergencies. 
• Occasionally lift and move objects weighing up to 10 lbs.
• Wear a particulate respirator (e.g., N95, PAPR); have a respirator fit test and TB skin test annually. 
• Participate in the Federal Select Agent Program (Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002). 
• Obtain DOJ/FBI background clearance to comply with federal program requirements.
• Travel outside of the City of Milwaukee; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Based upon each department’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the needs of each department, employees may be expected to work from home intermittently or continuously.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Ph.D. or Dr.PH. in microbiology, immunology, or molecular biology from an accredited college or university.
2. Two years of experience serving in a managerial capacity beyond postdoctoral training within a clinical or public health laboratory setting performing functions related to molecular biology, microbiology, immunology and/or virology; analytical and biochemical testing; and related advanced molecular diagnostic techniques.
3. Board certification for Laboratory Directors of High Complexity Testing per CLIA guidelines within one year of appointment. For more information on the CLIA certification, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/CLIA/Certification_Boards_Laboratory_Directors.
4. Valid driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment.

CURRENT SALARY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by clicking the "Apply Externally" button.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.