The purpose of this position is to lead the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) at the University of Iowa in developing, evaluating, and documenting an emergency preparedness program for chemical threats and environmental hazards by providing expert scientific and technical advice and expertise for conducting accurate and timely laboratory analyses. The Chemical Threat Emergency Preparedness Coordinator is the Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer and leads efforts to respond to natural or human-caused emergencies, disasters, and terrorist acts so that SHL staff can successfully perform analytical tests. The position will develop, validate, improve, and maintain all-hazard procedures for handling human clinical specimens, unknown environmental samples, and other potentially hazardous materials. This position will serve as a source of technical information in order to promote, maintain, and improve relationships with critical response partners through the design and implementation of a structured outreach program. This position provides preparedness coordination across sections of the Environmental Health Division and partners closely with the Biological Threat Coordinator and others in the Diagnostic and Clinical Division.
To meet CLIA regulations, an official transcript or a copy of an official transcript will be required prior to an offer of employment. (Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must have the transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/ and the applicant is responsible for all costs associated with that evaluation).
Work Schedule: M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m, with possible nights, weekends and holidays to process samples. Additionally, frequent required travel.
Position Status: Regular
Work Modality: On-Site, In-Person
To learn more about the department visit https://shl.uiowa.edu/
For a full job description, please send an e-mail to the contact listed below.
About Pay and Compensation:
Pay Grade: 5A
Qualifications:
Education or Equivalency Required:
A Master’s degree in a scientific field or, Emergency Management, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
Required Qualifications:
· Demonstrate proficient experience within an environmental and clinical public health lab setting.
· Awareness of clinical and environmental chemistry practices.
· Demonstrate excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
· Demonstrate professional project management experience.
· Demonstration of experience in leading teams.
· Experience with planning, designing, and/or delivering training or educational programming, to support community education and outreach.
· Experience performing analytical chemistry testing, preferably with LC-MS/MS and GC-MS instrumentation.
· Experience with laboratory protocols for Environmental Health and Safety and Chemical Hygiene.
· Possession of a valid state or commercial driver's license, and the ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards.
Highly Desirable Qualifications:
· Knowledge or experience with incident command and national incident management systems is highly desirable.
· Experience with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and the identification of unknowns.
Desirable Qualifications:
· Experience in drills and exercises, preparation and monitoring of grants, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity and creation and implementation of new initiatives.
· Familiarity with Microsoft Office, LIS, and preparation of fiscal and operational reports is desirable.
Position and Application Details and Instructions:
Include your driver’s license information as a certification under the license and certifications section.
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following required documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
· Cover Letter
· Resume
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check, credential/education verification, verification of a valid state or commercial driver’s license, and ability to meet University Fleet Safety Standards. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact: VPR Talent (vpr-talent@uiowa.edu)
This position is eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. If your H-1B petition is subject to the September 19, 2025, Presidential Proclamation, please note that the department will not cover the $100,000 payment associated with H-1B sponsorship, either at the time of hire or for international travel purposes. We encourage you to explore alternative pathways for work authorization. Our team is available to help identify options that may be suitable for your situation.
About the University of Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
