ASSISTANT CHIEF - PUBLIC & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH LABORATORY                                                      2232

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class assists in planning, organizing, and directing the technical and administrative operations of the Public and Environmental Health Laboratory.  The incumbent coordinates analytical, training, and quality control programs in producing scientific findings for use by a variety of legal or regulatory agencies.  The incumbent supervises both routine and difficult chemical, physical, and biological analyses on ground, surface, marine, drinking, and waste waters, and other environmental samples.  Supervision is received from the Chief-Public and Environmental Health Laboratory.  Performs related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

                Assists in planning and directing the activities of the Public and Environmental Health Laboratory;

                Plans and supervises the quality assurance/quality control programs of the laboratory;        

                Reviews the performance of laboratory sections and subunits in order to ensure reliability and timeliness;

                Participates in the assessment of budget needs and helps prepare budget requests;

                Selects and purchases scientific instruments and other laboratory equipment;

                Studies new and revised methods and techniques for all types of analyses performed in the Laboratory;

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

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

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

                Directs the activities of the laboratory in the absence of the Chief – Public and Environmental Health Laboratory. 

 

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 trends, developments, and literature in the field of public and environmental health; thorough knowledge of managerial operations and methods;  thorough knowledge of rules of evidence 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; ability to plan, direct, and perform original research work; 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 six (6) years of professional experience* in a public and environmental health laboratory, three (3) 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 one (1) year.

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

                **Supervisory capacity 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 a Chemist IV; or,

                Three (3) years of permanent competitive status as a Chemist III, Bacteriologist III, or Environmental Radiochemist.

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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 1/13/2021

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive