The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) is currently recruiting for a full-time Public Health Laboratory Director who plans, organizes, and directs the Vermont Public Health Laboratory (VDHL), a high complexity and biosafety level three (BSL-3) laboratory that is accredited by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CLIA) and the Food and Drug Administration (ISO), among others.

The VDHL performs testing to monitor Vermont's population and environment for threats to public health in a state-of-the-art facility. Our mission is to be the most innovative, quality-focused, customer-oriented Public Health Laboratory in the United States. When there is a threat, such as a novel strain of disease, a natural disaster, a chemical spill or a foodborne outbreak, the laboratory is prepared to respond.

This position involves high-level scientific program planning and development; preparing, justifying and managing program budgets; and effective use of financial, technological and human resources. Work includes providing laboratory support to clinical and environmental health programs and projects; implementing policies and procedures to comply with federal and state laws and regulations; and clinical and technical consultations in the interpretation of laboratory results and disease diagnosis. This position oversees a large technical staff of approximately 40 people and must be available to serve in the event of a public health threat or disruption in laboratory operations. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated leadership and management experience in a public health laboratory.

The VDH provides a unique setting to practice public health. Our staff recognizes the challenges of public health in the 21st century, and Vermont is pushing the envelope as nimble, small states can do. Because our department is smaller than many other state health departments, working here provides opportunities to work across divisions that arise naturally, as many projects require diverse skill sets. This will allow you to meet key individuals in many divisions and contribute to projects that affect the department and state as a whole. Vermont also has a unique centralized structure not seen in most states: there are no autonomous local health departments. Instead, VDH staffs district offices throughout the state that drive community work and implement a wide range of VDH programs. With 500 employees and thoughtful leadership, VDH is not only a great place to practice public health; it plays a key role in Vermont’s consistent ranking at the top of America’s Health Rankings’ list of healthiest states.