Public Health Scientist - Newborn Screening Molecular

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Publ Hlth Scientist (NS)

Position Number

65023445

Grade

NC20

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Public Health Scientist - Newborn Screening Molecular position provides scientific and technical leadership in the Newborn Screening Molecular Laboratory at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, directing advanced molecular newborn screening activities that support public health testing priorities. It serves as a subject matter expert responsible for developing, validating, implementing, and improving complex molecular assays used to detect DNA variants and other markers for conditions on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel.

This role performs high‑level analytical and bioinformatic procedures using PCR, fragment analysis, and next‑generation sequencing technologies to ensure accurate and reliable newborn screening results. Work includes evaluating new molecular methodologies, integrating second‑tier testing strategies, and supporting expansion of the newborn screening panel. The position operates within a highly technical laboratory environment and ensures the scientific rigor, quality, and effective operation of molecular testing initiatives.

Key Duties Include: - Develop and validate molecular testing methods to ensure accurate detection of DNA variants and molecular markers for newborn screening conditions.

- Implement new diagnostic assays and integrate second‑tier testing strategies into existing laboratory workflows.

- Perform advanced analytical procedures using PCR, fragment analysis, and next‑generation sequencing platforms.

- Conduct complex bioinformatics analyses to support interpretation of molecular testing results.

- Evaluate and assess new molecular methodologies for inclusion in newborn screening algorithms.

- Prepare, review, and present scientific reports summarizing analytical findings and laboratory performance.

- Provide technical guidance, training, and consultation to laboratory staff regarding molecular testing workflows and diagnostic procedures.

- Troubleshoot complex issues involving instrumentation, software, assay performance, and laboratory workflows.

- Maintain quality assurance practices aligned with regulatory requirements and laboratory standards.

- Support strategic planning and continuous improvement of molecular diagnostic services within the newborn screening program.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $70,478.00 - $123,336.00

Recruitment Range: $70,478.00 - $98,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Expertise in developing, optimizing, validating, and implementing molecular testing methodologies using advanced laboratory techniques and instrumentation.

• Demonstrated experience performing high‑complexity molecular diagnostic procedures, including PCR, fragment analysis, and next‑generation sequencing, to support newborn screening workflows.

• Proficiency conducting analytical and bioinformatics data reviews to interpret assay performance, troubleshoot issues, and generate technical recommendations for laboratory operations.

• Proven experience producing clear and concise technical reports and presentations by compiling scientific data and translating complex findings for laboratory peers, managers, and scientific audiences.

• Demonstrated capability resolving complex molecular assay, instrumentation, and workflow problems through systematic investigation and technical problem‑solving strategies.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

Physical Requirements:

• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to more objects.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH): The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH):

The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health provides an array of services including Laboratory Testing, Training/Consultation and Certification. The NCSLPH provides more than 125 clinical laboratory tests and more than 65 environmental laboratory tests to the public and private medical health care system in North Carolina and performs over 6 million tests annually on human, animal, food, water, and agricultural samples. Additionally, NCSLPH provides training and consultation for local health departments, hospitals, commercial laboratories, private health care professionals, community based organizations and state and regional staff from the NC Division of Public Health (DPH) and other state and regional

agencies.

A staff of over 200 employees make up the organization units which include Administration, Bioterrorism and Emerging Pathogens (BTEP), Chemical Terrorism and Threat, Environmental Sciences, Laboratory Improvement, Molecular Diagnostics & Epidemiology, Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response (SABR), Newborn Screening, Microbiology, and Virology/Serology and is co-located with the Office of Chief Medical in a 220,000-sq. ft. state of the art facility. The NCSLPH has several doctoral level managers and research scientists as well as medical laboratory specialists, medical technologists, chemists, laboratory technicians, and support staff.

The Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health (NCSLPH) is comprised of three primary units containing various laboratories which provide testing services to local and state partners as well as to clinical labs for the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. Collectively, the unit conducts highly

complex testing procedures for the detection, identification, and characterization of a wide range of infectious agents from a variety of clinical, reference, and environmental specimens.

The Microbiology Unit provides clinical and reference microbiological testing for public and private laboratories as well as associated partners. This diverse unit performs testing including organism identification and detection that aids in the diagnosis of foodborne, vaccine-preventable, parasitic, and fungal diseases. Microbiological culture and workups to identify

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and a variety of other pathogens such as Legionella and Neisseria are also performed by this unit. Microbial resistance testing and surveillance methods are also performed within the unit. Results generated from this unit are utilized by a variety of partners for diagnosis, patient management, surveillance, and outbreak investigations.

The Molecular Diagnostic/Molecular Epidemiology group is responsible for performing a variety of highly complex laboratory tests to identify bacteriologic and viral nucleic acids of public health significance. The reports generated by this group are used by state and local health officials in the detection, identification, and surveillance of pathogens. The tests performed in this Unit employ primarily molecular-based methods but may also incorporate classical biochemical, bacteriology and virology methods for definitive identification. This Unit detects and characterizes many diverse types of medically encountered organisms including bacterial pathogens such as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp, Listeria monocytogenes, as well as viral pathogens norovirus, and SARS-CoV-2. The Molecular Diagnostic/Molecular Epidemiology Unit participates in several Centers for Disease and Prevention sponsored programs. These programs include the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (ARLN), PulseNet, and CaliciNet.

The Newborn Screening (NBS) Unit provides timely and accurate testing to help identify newborns at risk for conditions on the state’s newborn screening panel. Organizationally, this unit consists of three functional entities: Fluoroimmunoassy-SC (FIA-Hgb) Laboratory, Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) Laboratory, and the Molecular Laboratory.

Campus Amenities and Benefits at the State Laboratory of Public Health

We are in Raleigh, NC. According to Forbes, we are ranked as one of the top 20 best places to retire and the 2nd most educated city in the country. US News & World ranks Raleigh among the top 15 places to live in the U.S.

• 220,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility
• Plentiful Free Parking
• Easy access to highways (70, 40 and 440), NC Museum of Art, Umstead State Park, healthcare providers, and shopping centers
• Proximity to globally and nationally ranked universities (NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke)
• Fitness area with exercise equipment, classes, and wellness activities
• Weekly Food Trucks
• Car Cleaning and Detailing Services On-site bimonthly
• Annual Flu Shot Clinic for Employees and Families
• Monthly and quarterly career development classes, including opportunities for traveling
• Library of academic journals and materials on-site
• Employee Engagement and Staff Development Activities
• NCSLPH Employee Recognition Programs
• State Health Plan and State of NC Employee Benefits

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Doctoral degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of clinical laboratory or research experience

OR

Master's degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of clinical laboratory or research experience

OR

Bachelor's degree in degree in molecular biology, medical genetics, microbiology, immunology, analytical chemistry, or a related laboratory field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of clinical laboratory or research experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Email:

[email protected]