CDPH - Research Scientist Supervisor II (Chemical Sciences)

California Department of Public Health

Job Title: Research Scientist Supervisor II (Chemical Sciences)

Work Location: Contra Costa County

Job Code: JC-492396

Application deadline: 10/6/2025

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring for a Research Scientist Supervisor II (Chemical Sciences) within our Center for Family Health’s Genetic Diseases Screening Prevention Program. In this role, you will serve as the Laboratory Administrative Supervisor, providing scientific technical expertise and administrative guidance and direction to scientific and non-scientific personnel who are developing (or assisting with the development of) functions within the Genetic Disease Screening Laboratory Training Program.

The Genetic Disease Screening Program (GDSP) of the California Department of Public Health works to protect and improve the health of all Californians. We run the largest screening program in the world and set the standard in delivering high-quality, cost-effective genetic services to all Californians. The mission of GDSP is “to serve the people of California by reducing the emotional and financial burden of disability and death caused by genetic and congenital disorders.”

The deadline to apply is October 6th, 2025, at 11:59PM PT. Please reach out to Apply@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.

Responsibilities:

• Performs both scientific and administrative supervisory duties, including mentoring staff and evaluating staff competencies. Responsibilities include planning work schedules, assigning tasks, and defining clear work expectations. Reviews and evaluates staff output to ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation of laboratory processes, providing feedback as necessary. Regular reports and activity updates are submitted to management for review.

• Additional duties include conducting annual performance appraisals, developing individual development plans, and overseeing the hiring and onboarding of personnel. Responsible for ensuring compliance of scientific processes with local, state, and federal regulations, including CLIA requirements, by guiding subordinate staff and approving compliance-related documentation.

• Perform review and oversee the preparation of necessary reports for CLIA inspections and represent the laboratory during regulatory reviews conducted by external agencies. Provides administrative support, which includes managing procurement and inventory systems, monitoring contracts and expenditures, and ensuring adherence to applicable policies. Prepares financial summaries, implements process improvements, and organizes training resources to support laboratory operations and policymaking, contributing to the efficiency and accountability of laboratory programs.

• Using scientific technical expertise, manages and monitors the Lab Training Program. Plans, directs, and coordinates staff activities. Coordinates and updates training schedule, assists in signing up lecturers and lab trainers. Communicates with and provides consultation/recommendations to departmental management regarding funding updates and other requirements for the Lab Training Program. Organize and maintain electronic training document sites and recorded laboratory training videos and ensures these training materials are accessible to trainees. These training materials are created by the incumbent to impart scientific technical expertise to scientific staff who perform critical testing of newborn screening samples. Serves as the main point of contact for the training program. Evaluates and documents issues and problems in training lab materials, supplies, equipment, scheduling, and lab safety. Responsible for creating training material and acquiring supplies when needed as well as updating policies and procedures, schedules, and other documents.

• Develops and implements tracking systems related to the purchasing of laboratory supplies and equipment. Makes recommendations, plans for logistics, and develop implementation plans to meet operational needs of laboratory programs. Oversee and maintains the lab inventory, including providing support in procurement negotiation, and is responsible for coordinating the purchase of reagents, supplies, and services for instrument maintenance to ensure continuous testing of newborn blood specimens.

• Ensures all documentation for purchases aligns with applicable policies and procedures. Provides financial summaries, tracking logs, and other applicable reports for lab director and division management review. Responsible for the implementation of the Laboratory Inventory Management System. Follows up on work orders and other projects with the facility management unit. Responsible for collaborating with the Operational Support Section (OSS) chief to track finances and purchases made in the Laboratory Services Branch. Maintains and monitors all purchase orders and service orders for LSB.

• Independently receives and processes applications, certifications, and Public Record Act (PRA) requests. As a scientific expert, serves as LSB liaison and representative for committees and groups. Provides administrative support to all LSB section and unit supervisors/managers. Periodically reviews administrative/operational processes and provides recommendations as needed. Provides summaries of policymaking discussions and recommendations to departmental management.

• Responsible for collaborating with the OSS chief to track contractual obligations of the various contracts within LSB. Oversee all contracts for LSB. Ensures all contractual documentation supplied to the Business Services Unit meets standards for contractual policies and procedures. Independently prepares, reviews, and approves scope of work information for contracts and ensures invoices and payments made to contractors/vendors adhere to contract payment agreements. Collaborates with OSS team on lab contracts encumbrances and expenditures to ensure appropriateness and accuracy. Process applications and Public Record Act requests and serve as a liaison for committees. May, on occasion as necessary (up to 5% of the time), assist the LSB chief in long-term and short-term project planning.

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

New to State Service? The following steps will navigate you through the application process:

1. Create a CalCareer account by going to https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Login.aspx.

2. Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.

3. After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the Exam/Assessment Search tab. Please note, while candidates are welcome to apply to positions without taking the examination, candidates must pass the examination prior to appointment. Please review the minimum qualifications thoroughly, prior to beginning the examination.

4. Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.
   

For more details on how to apply click here - Research Scientist Supervisor II (Chemical Sciences)