DIR OF LABORATORY SCIENCE

Director of Laboratory Science

Department of Public Health

Disease Control Bureau

Number of Positions: 1

Starting Salary: $118,128-$133,524

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 04/03/2025

WORKING WITH THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Mission: To work with communities and partners to create an equitable, safe, resilient and Healthy Chicago.

ROLE SUMMARY

Under direction, the class reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner directing and managing the

Lab-Based Surveillance Program in the Department of Public Health, and performs related duties

as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Directs staff engaged in coordinating diagnostic and surveillance laboratory testing and analyses (including genomic and wastewater surveillance)

* Reviews scientific literature for information on laboratory testing to support diagnosis of infectious disease and other conditions of public health importance

* Directs and implements the strategic plan, standards and practices that guide and support the delivery of high-quality laboratory diagnostic and surveillance operations in the department

* Manages the hiring, training, and evaluation of division staff

* Directs the alignment of division programs to align with accountability and deliverable requirements

* Facilitates engagement across the laboratory response network for increased preparedness and coordination in response to infectious diseases and other public health emergencies

* Advise on scientific and technical quality across the department and ensures alignment and integration with strategic priorities, capabilities, and initiatives

* Oversee the management of testing services conducted by clinical and hospital laboratories

* Reviews and analysis of diagnostic and surveillance testing laboratory data to ensure accurate and prompt reporting and compliance with department, state and federal requirements

* Represents the department as a subject-matter-expert and provides technical direction to laboratory partners on laboratory diagnostic and genomic surveillance

* Maintains current trends in emerging infectious diseases and the impact on citywide laboratory operations

* Prepares scientific reports and articles on laboratory practices and findings

* Oversee the preparation of the division's budget and the preparation of grant proposals to secure funding for program operations

* Directs the preparation of manuals and other reports documenting the department's laboratory and quality standards, practices, and protocols

* Represents the Department at laboratory seminars and conferences, as required

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: 1340 S. Damen Ave.

Chicago, IL 60608

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 8AM - 4PM

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of work experience in clinical laboratory operations, compliance or laboratory quality assurance of which three (3) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position.

PREFERENCES

• PhD or MD (doctoral) degree
• Eligible to be Director of a CLIA certified laboratory
• Board-certified or board eligible in clinical microbiology and/or medical microbiology (ABP-MM or ABMM)

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a presentation as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview process will be selected

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor