CHIEF-PUBLIC & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY                                                      2230­

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general direction, an employee in this class plans, organizes, and directs the technical and administrative operations of the Public and Environmental Health Laboratory. The incumbent directs the activities of all sections and subunits in the Laboratory in producing scientific findings for use by a variety of legal and regulatory agencies. The employee is expected to display initiative and independence in developing programs to improve quality and response time of service to user agencies. Direction is received from an administrative supervisor through review of work, staff conferences, and written reports. Performs related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

                Reviews final versions of scientific reports with laboratory section and subunit supervisors to ensure reliability and timeliness;

                Recommends and participates in the establishment of policies relating to laboratory interaction with user agencies, in consultation with Director of Division and his/her deputy(s);

                Establishes and maintains liaison with local, state, and federal public and environmental health agencies;

                Directs the activities of all laboratory staff;

                Develops and/or recommends programs for continuing education of laboratory staff and user agents/agencies;

                Designs and/or recommends and directs special projects and/or experiments in public and environmental health science; prepares and delivers reports on such projects at meetings or seminars;

                Provides data input for budget preparation and assists in equipment selec­tion;

                May testify in a variety of legal proceedings concerning findings and observations;

                May conduct highly complex scientific studies in specialized areas of investigation using sophisticated techniques and instrumentation.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Comprehensive knowledge of modern, full-service public and environmental health laboratory operation, including laboratory techniques, methods, and instrumentation; comprehensive knowledge of the trends, developments, and literature in the field of public and environmental health science; thorough knowledge of managerial operations and methods; thorough knowledge of rules of evidence and rules and regulations promulgated by regulatory agencies as they apply to the public and environmental health sciences; ability to interpret scientifically derived data and prepare accurate and concise reports; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to direct activities of professional, technical, and clerical personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with federal, state and local agencies and with the general public; tact; good judgment; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

                OPEN COMPETITIVE

                Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Master’s Degree in Public or Environmental Health Science, or in one of the Natural sciences, or in Engineering, which includes or is supplemented by twenty-four (24) credit hours in chemistry including Organic Chemistry, and eight (8) years of professional experience* in a public and environmental health laboratory, five (5) years of which must have been in a supervisory** capacity.

NOTES:   Qualifying experience must have been gained within the last ten (10) years.

                Additional graduate education in Public or Environmental Health Science, or in one of the Natural sciences, or in Engineering, may be substituted for non-supervisory experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.

                *Professional experience is defined as experience involving independent responsibility for the analysis of specimens and includes signing and issuing reports.

                **Supervisory experience is defined as responsibility for professional and sub-professional personnel in technical and administrative functions.

 

                PROMOTIONAL

                Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Master’s Degree in Public or Environmental Health Science, or in one of the Natural Sciences, or in Engineering, which includes or is supplemented by twenty-four (24) credit hours in chemistry including Organic Chemistry, plus one (1) of the following:

                Two (2) years of permanent competitive status as Assistant Chief - Public & Environmental Health Laboratory; or,

                Three (3) years of permanent competitive status as a Chemist IV; or,

                Four (4) years of permanent competitive status as a Chemist III, Bacteriologist III, or Environmental Radiochemist.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

                At the time of appointment, candidates must have the credentials and experience, as specified by the New York State Department of Health’s Environmental Laboratory Approval Program, to act as a Technical Director in chemical analysis, microbiological and/or biological testing, or radiochemical analysis. 

                At the time of appointment and throughout employment in this title, employees will be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

 

R 1/13/21

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive