GENERAL SERVICES LABORATORY BUREAU DIRECTOR 53033

03/16/94 A

This director-level class assists the Division Director in the overall management of the division by either (1) directing the operation of one of the two bureaus of the Division of Consolidated Services (DCLS), or (2) directing the day-to-day operation of the statewide system of forensic laboratories. This class is distinguished from the Division Director class by the latter's responsibility for all division-related matters. The General Services Laboratory Bureau Director class is distinguished from the General Services Laboratory Assistant Bureau Director class by the former's responsibility for division-wide operations and programs.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of unusual difficulty, requiring the application of scientific and managerial principles and practices to the operation of the Commonwealth's regulatory, law enforcement, and reference laboratory systems involving chemical, forensic, and microbiological analytical services. Positions in this class develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate division programs and operational plans to assure compliance with applicable statutory requirements and service or program quality, efficacy, and efficiency. Work involves general oversight of technical scientific activities, and representing the division's programs and policies to interested parties internal and external to the state government. These positions direct and enforce the personnel policies of the Department and the Commonwealth, and oversee the hiring, development, performance management, discipline, and termination of personnel; develop the biennial budget, monitor and authorize expenditures; direct and prepare reports and make presentations on bureau or division activities and programs; provide consultation to local, state, federal, and other governmental bodies, health care professionals, public interest groups, the general public, and others, on laboratory services and programs and related regulatory requirements. Positions in this class are called upon to act on behalf of the Division Director in the latter's absence.

Supervision Given: Supervises a medium to large staff of scientific, office services, and/or other positions through subordinate managers. May also directly supervise senior professional and clerical staff.

Supervision Received: Administrative direction is received from the Division Director. This class is guided by the priorities, broad guidelines, and general policies of the division, department, and the Commonwealth. It is expected to exercise judgment in planning and directing the work of the bureau; carrying out projects; responding to requests and inquiries about services; resolving unusual problems; managing allocated human, capital, and financial resources; and establishing and maintaining relationships with officials, customers, and others.

Scope: Work directly involves the effective provision of scientific regulatory, reference, and forensic laboratory services statewide, affecting or potentially affecting all citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Work affects interagency relationships within state government, intergovernmental relationships among state, local, and federal governments, and relationships with the business, legal, and health care communities, and the general public.

Impact of Actions: The quality of work directly affects the ability of the Division and the Commonwealth to ensure laboratory compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures which regulate the environmental health and protection, public health, and criminal justice systems, including the ability to anticipate legislative and other developments having impact on laboratory services and mandates; the accuracy and timeliness of analytical results on which the diagnosis of serious disease, identification of serious environmental endangerments and health hazards, and the prosecution of major criminal offenders rely; the responsiveness of the Commonwealth's laboratories to customer needs and the maintenance of positive interagency and intergovernmental relations; the efficacy and efficiency of the division's technical services and programs; the fiscal responsibility of the bureau/division; the development and maintenance of qualified, productive employees and a positive working environment; and the ability of the Commonwealth to prepare for legal challenges in program policies, procedures, and operations.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contact with state, local, and federal agency officials, scientists, and health care professionals; the general public; law enforcement and criminal justice system officials; attorneys; vendors and contractors regarding the communication and explanation of laboratory policy and programs, coordination of services, exchange of information regarding technical, legislative, and other developments affecting programs, conveying unusually controversial laboratory findings or policy matters, and responding to general inquiries.

Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of scientific theory, principles, practices, and laboratory operations in the area directed; applicable federal, state, agency, division, and bureau policies and procedures. Considerable knowledge of the organization of state and other governmental agencies with which the laboratory works; business and public management principles and practices, including human resource and budget management; the criminal justice system and rules of evidence (Forensic Science Division only); and the principles, practices, and applicable law related to the management of public information.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to organize and direct public and large-scale laboratory operations; plan and develop scientific laboratory programs; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including the interpretation and explanation of complex scientific and managerial concepts; develop and maintain effective working relationships with agency officials; manage personnel and materials; interpret and communicate laboratory results; manage sensitive or controversial public information; prepare and manage an operating budget; and plan capital outlay projects.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None identified for this class.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in chemistry, forensic science, microbiology, or a related field, supplemented by advanced course work in a related scientific area and in management.

Level and Type of Experience: Managerial experience in public scientific laboratory administration and operations. Experience in supervising scientific professional staff; scientific testing and analysis; inter- and intra-governmental relations; and developing and controlling an operating budget.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class replaced the Consolidated Laboratory Bureau Director class on July 1, 1989. This class was revised by the Department of General Services in connection with the reorganization of the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in December, 1993.