Marine Scientist Senior

Title: Marine Scientist Senior

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range: $60,000-$65,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Dept of Health

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

This Marine Scientist position is an opportunity for a well-qualified, motivated individual with a focus on environmental quality and public health. It is based out of the Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards field office in Kilmarnock, VA. This position is responsible for conducting complex investigations into impairments of shellfish growing areas, identifying potential pollution sources, and exploring remediation opportunities. Key duties include conducting field and laboratory analyses of marine biotoxins and harmful algal blooms; developing research methods and experimental design; performing complex sample collections, including land and vessel-based studies, time-series analyses, and watershed surveys. This role also ensures data quality assurance, conducts statistical analyses and designs databases, and assesses hydrographic and meteorological factors that influence the distribution, residence time and fate of pollutants. This position serves as technical experts in the development of management plans for areas with predictable patterns of pollution and conducts sampling and assessment during emergency response events.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Broad working knowledge of the marine environment, biology,
environmental health, and water quality.
2. In-depth knowledge of data collection and analyses including the
design and use of complex computer databases and Geographic
Information System software.
3. Working knowledge of the use of field scientific instruments and
environmental sampling to measure environmental parameters
accurately.
4. Working skills in the trailering, launching, landing, maneuvering,
and piloting of outboard powered boats.
5. Experience working in a laboratory setting, including preparation of
samples, maintenance of laboratory equipment, and adherence to
safety and quality assurance protocols.
6. Must be able to obtain a Virginia DGIF/ NASBLA boat operator
safety-training certificate.
7. Extensive knowledge gained through training or experience in marine
science or a related scientific discipline.

Additional Considerations

1 Relevant professional experience working both independently and as part
of a team.
2. The selected applicant must possess robust written and oral
communication skills
3. The responsibilities require a working knowledge of experimental
design; hypothesis testing; project coordination; quality
assurance/control principles and techniques; technical writing.
Federal/State laws and regulations; algal, bacterial, and viral fields and
laboratory analyses.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; ge