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Cannabis and Natural Medicine Scientist (PSRS I)

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Cannabis and Natural Medicine Scientist (PSRS I)

Salary

$69,024.00 - $71,050.92 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

FAA02251-08/01/25

Department

Department of Public Health & Environment

Division

Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response

Opening Date

07/31/2025

Closing Date

8/11/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

8100 East Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Rosalie Esparza at [email protected]

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Department Information

Disease Control & Public Health Response - Cannabis and Natural Medicine Sciences Program

This position is only open to Colorado state residents

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Be BOLD.... Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities in advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!!!Careers (https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers)

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) (https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/cdpheintranet/culture-strategy-equity-and-innovation/human-resources/current-employees/pslf-public-service-loan-forgiveness)

Description of Job

The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department’s lead surveillance, planning and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Public Health Informatics, Reporting, Technology Branch; Refugee Branch; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public’s health.

The Unit:

The position performs and interprets complex scientific analyses requiring a high degree of knowledge and expertise, preparing and analyzing samples to detect and quantify the presence of cannabinoids, alkaloids, pesticide residues, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contaminants in cannabis and natural medicine products. The position also assists in designing and conducting validation studies, supports the implementation of new technologies, and performs routine laboratory functions to support testing activities. This position shares responsibility for maintaining lab equipment and for ensuring that samples are handled and processed following established procedures and guidelines and that prescribed quality assurance standards are maintained. This position serves as a resource within the work unit by advising and training others on how to perform processes within the work unit and participates in collaborative problem solving. This position has been designated as a safety-sensitive position for purposes of impairment and employment screening policies due to its direct access to and handling of biohazardous and chemically hazardous materials for analysis. Mishandling such hazardous materials and failure to closely follow standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements, could result in significant risk or threat of a dangerous incident involving exposure to biohazards/chemical hazards or erroneous test results that adversely impact the health and safety of the employee, coworker, or the public

What you will be doing:

The position performs and interprets complex scientific analyses requiring a high degree of knowledge and expertise, preparing and analyzing samples to detect and quantify the presence of cannabinoids, alkaloids, pesticide residues, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contaminants in cannabis and natural medicine products. The position also assists in designing and conducting validation studies, supports the implementation of new technologies, and performs routine laboratory functions to support testing activities. This position shares responsibility for maintaining lab equipment and for ensuring that samples are handled and processed following established procedures and guidelines and that prescribed quality assurance standards are maintained. This position serves as a resource within the work unit by advising and training others on how to perform processes within the work unit and participates in collaborative problem solving.

Analytical Testing

+ Ensure specimens submitted to the laboratory are suitable for requested analyses.

+ Prepare and analyze samples and specimens qualitatively and quantitatively using accepted preparation methods and advanced analytical techniques.

+ Ensure compliance with QA requirements for assigned analyses.

+ Verify and record instrument functionality.

+ Evaluate quality control measures to ensure that sample results meet acceptance criteria.

+ Handling and manipulation of microbiological organisms and hazardous chemicals and high pressure gases.

Method Development and Validation

+ Conduct productive literature searches for troubleshooting existing methodologies

+ Develops and prepares method validation plans using guidance from program and division procedures under the direction of senior staff.

+ Develops and prepares standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the guidance of senior staff.

+ Generates well documented data as part of validation and verification of new methods and/or equipment as required by regulation or program and Division policies. • Observes and addresses quality and analytical trends.

+ Trains other work unit staff in the application of new methods.

+ Carries out validation studies of new methods or new matrices with existing methods as directed.

General Lab Support

+ Maintains inventory of testing reagents and supplies, requests supply orders.

+ Performs quality control of reagents and supplies and records findings.

+ Following the division’s safety protocols, sets up, cleans, decontaminates and maintains laboratory equipment and work surfaces.

Instrumentation

+ Operate, calibrate and maintain equipment used in quantitative and qualitative analysis.

+ Verifies and records equipment functionality.

Data Management & Customer Service

+ Enter sample results into the laboratory information system and ensure accuracy of all analytic reporting parameters

+ Verify test results produced by others through batch level approvals prior to release.

+ Ensure requested testing and reporting are appropriate and that information provided to customers complies with program and Division protocols.

+ File analytical printouts, worksheets and associated documents according to established procedure.

+ Refer customers to other department staff, programs, or external agencies for assistance as appropriate.

+ Responds to customer phone calls, email and face-to-face questions.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

Experience Only:

Five (5) years of relevant experience* in biolog ical science or microbiology, molecular biology method development and validation, laboratory work or closely related fields.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in biolog ical science, microbiology, molecular biology or closely-related scienc e and/or relevant experience in an occupation in biolog ical science, microbiology, molecular biology method development and validation, laboratory work, or closely related field equal to five (5) years.

*This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

NOTE: Click on the link here toHOW TO APPLY (https://careers.colorado.gov/how-to-apply) and submit a complete application. That documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position when listing your work history.

* YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS TO YOUR APPLICATION IF YOU ARE USING EDUCATION TO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS*

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must be willing to:

+ A pre-employment background check

+ Travel for meetings, conference, disease response or medical record reviews and some out of state and overnight stays.

+ Be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.

+ Be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

+ Be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Relevant state of Colorado work experience.

+ Experience conducting qPCR, microscopy, MALDI-TOF, and cultural methods to identify bacteria and fungi in a variety of sample matrices

+ Experience with public health and local public health agencies.

+ Experience with managing multiple tasks and prioritize responsibilities .

+ Advanced knowledge of laboratory quality control and quality assurance, including ISO/IEC 17025.

+ Demonstrated analytical method development and validation experience with a variety of difficult sample matrices.

+ Experience writing laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs).

+ Experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

+ Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with a wide range of customers/stakeholders.

+ Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills.

+ Ability to interpret regulations and statutes.

+ Ability to work well independently as well as in/with a team.

+ Experience testing samples for compliance with regulatory requirements.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at [email protected] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules .

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

+ A complete application that documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications when listing your work history.

+ A copy of your transcripts if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications. (unofficial copy acceptable)

+ If you are a veteran, attach a copy of your DD214 to your application

The Selection Process:

+ Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

+ A top group, up to six (6) candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify (http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify) , including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations :

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Dan McKenna, at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

CDPHE IS A TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

As a condition of employment, you are required to submit to pre-employment screening if offered the position. Are you willing to meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

02

This position requires educational transcripts be submitted if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, a copy of your unofficial (or official) transcript.

+ Yes

+ No

03

If you are a veteran, did you attach a copy of your DD214 to your application?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Describe a situation where you had to design and conduct validation studies. How did you ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data collected during the validation process?

05

How do you handle the challenges of minimizing cross continuation while processing a large number of samples?

06

Can you provide example (s)s of complex scientific analyses you have conducted in your professional work?

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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