Senior Public Health Program Specialist

Summary

Job Summary - Why you'll love this position

Job Location: This position will be located at 101 N. Chestnut, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Why you'll love this position:

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys big picture thinking, problem solving, and improving systems that protect people and strengthen laboratory operations. As a Program Specialist, you will lead one of the lab's most critical programs-Safety, Quality, or Training-while also supporting the other two to ensure seamless operations across the entire organization.

You'll play a key role in meeting CLIA, ISO 17025, and Select Agent requirements by guiding internal inspections, developing training programs, analyzing risk, and implementing improvements that directly strengthen public health laboratory preparedness. You'll collaborate with experts across multiple disciplines, work with internal and external partners, and help shape the policies, procedures, and culture that keep the laboratory safe, compliant, and effective.

If you are energized by meaningful work, enjoy coaching others, and want to help build a stronger, more resilient workforce, you will find this position both impactful and rewarding.

The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.

Responsibilities - What you'll do

• Lead your assigned program, maintain regulatory compliant SOPs/workflows, and conduct internal CLIA/ISO inspections.
• Analyze program performance data, develop metrics, and implement process improvements.
• Provide cross functional backup support for all three program areas and collaborate on unified lab wide training.
• Direct preparedness efforts, COOP improvements, and risk assessments for high consequence pathogens or new methods.
• Manage training curricula, staff competencies, and proficiency testing cycles.
• Support budgets, procurement, grants, and participate in leadership committees.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications - All you need for success

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 4 or more years of relevant experience and/or appropriate certification (Substitutions may be allowed.)
• Capability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Job Details - More reasons to love this position

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:

Heather Davenport, [email protected]

Dené Hall, [email protected]

Job Description

Job Summary - Why you'll love this position

Job Location: This position will be located at 101 N. Chestnut, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Why you'll love this position:

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys big picture thinking, problem solving, and improving systems that protect people and strengthen laboratory operations. As a Program Specialist, you will lead one of the lab's most critical programs-Safety, Quality, or Training-while also supporting the other two to ensure seamless operations across the entire organization.

You'll play a key role in meeting CLIA, ISO 17025, and Select Agent requirements by guiding internal inspections, developing training programs, analyzing risk, and implementing improvements that directly strengthen public health laboratory preparedness. You'll collaborate with experts across multiple disciplines, work with internal and external partners, and help shape the policies, procedures, and culture that keep the laboratory safe, compliant, and effective.

If you are energized by meaningful work, enjoy coaching others, and want to help build a stronger, more resilient workforce, you will find this position both impactful and rewarding.

The salary indicated represents a base pay rate. If the individual selected or the position is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., shift, security, or years of service), it will be added to the total compensation in your paycheck. A pay differential does not raise your base pay.

Responsibilities - What you'll do

• Lead your assigned program, maintain regulatory compliant SOPs/workflows, and conduct internal CLIA/ISO inspections.
• Analyze program performance data, develop metrics, and implement process improvements.
• Provide cross functional backup support for all three program areas and collaborate on unified lab wide training.
• Direct preparedness efforts, COOP improvements, and risk assessments for high consequence pathogens or new methods.
• Manage training curricula, staff competencies, and proficiency testing cycles.
• Support budgets, procurement, grants, and participate in leadership committees.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications - All you need for success

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 4 or more years of relevant experience and/or appropriate certification (Substitutions may be allowed.)
• Capability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Job Details - More reasons to love this position

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:

Heather Davenport, [email protected]

Dené Hall, [email protected]