Laboratory Scientist 12 (Laboratory Quality Assurance Lead)
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Laboratory Scientist 12 (Laboratory Quality Assurance Lead)
Salary
$30.54 - $44.52 Hourly
Location
Lansing, MI
Job Type
Permanent Full Time
Job Number
6401-25-CRA-046 LS 12
Department
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - LARA
Opening Date
09/04/2025
Closing Date
9/19/2025 11:00 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit
HUMAN SERVICES SUPPORT (SEIU)
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Description
The Laboratory Scientist serves as the recognized resource for laboratory testing, quality assurance, quality control, and laboratory audit activities for the Cannabis Regulatory Agency's Reference Laboratory; and leads efforts in the creation, expansion, and maintenance of quality programs at the Reference Laboratory, ensuring alignment with current regulatory requirements and industry standards. This individual directs and executes additional quality assurance tasks and duties as assigned as a recognized resource and is responsible for scheduling and conducting internal audits, both vertical and horizontal, to ensure the laboratory maintains its accreditation status. Additionally, the recognized resource leads technical audits of external laboratories licensed by the agency, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. This role involves comprehensive data review, daily oversight of established laboratory quality and safety duties, reviewing proficiency testing results, and regularly maintaining and revising the Quality Assurance Manual. The Laboratory Scientist 12 participates in relevant conference calls and division Management System Reviews to provide expert quality assurance insights and lead laboratory efforts to create and maintain a rigorous Quality Management System, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the data reported by the laboratory through complex data reviews. This individual collaborates with staff in the CRA Reference Laboratory to achieve and maintain ISO 17025 accreditation and perform necessary tasks to ensure continued accreditation while strictly adhering to applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Additionally, the laboratory scientist is responsible for designing, supervising, and managing proficiency testing programs for the reference laboratory and other licensed laboratories, ensuring rigorous testing standards are met. This individual also develops and supports the creation of sampling and quality assurance plans, ensuring comprehensive quality management across all laboratory functions.
Additional Requirements: This position may also involve policy research, assistance with enforcement activities, laboratory audits and inspection programs, administrative rules, and responding to subpoenas and inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act, 1976 PA 442.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
LARA is proud to be Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.
For more information about our department, we invite you to visit us onFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/michiganLARA/) ,Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/michiganLARA) andYouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/MichiganLARA) .
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process; including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises. Any applicant that is suspected of using AI software for any portion of the selection process may be screened out.
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, forensic science, or a related pure or applied science.
Experience
Three years of professional experience carrying out a variety of tests, analyses, or production and research activities involving chemical, biochemical and biological samples, specimens, and products equivalent to a Laboratory Scientist, including one
year equivalent to a Laboratory Scientist P11.
Additional Requirements and Information
View the entire job specification at:https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/L/LaboratoryScientist.pdf
Attach your resume, cover letter, and official college transcripts to your application. Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact theADA coordinator (https://www.michigan.gov/ose/-/media/Project/Websites/ose/Contact/RACs.pdf) for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work:State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits:The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs:The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available athttp://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave:Eligible full-time employees receive between15 and 35 personal daysand 13 sick daysper year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave:Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leaveimmediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays:Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs:Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential:Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs:In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness:Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation) to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction:Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules:Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times:Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
LABSCI - Do you possess a bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, forensic science, or a related pure or applied science? If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.
Yes
No
02
LABSCIA - Do you possess at least three years of professional experience carrying out a variety of tests, analyses, or production and research activities involving chemical, biochemical and biological samples, specimens, and products equivalent to a Laboratory Scientist?
Yes
No
03
During the 3 years immediately preceding application for employment, have you held any direct or indirect interest in, or been employed by, a person who is currently licensed to operate under the MEDICAL MARIHUANA FACILITIES LICENSING ACT (Act 281 of 2016) or under a corresponding license in another jurisdiction or have an application for an operating license pending with the CRA or in any other jurisdiction?
Yes
No
04
If you answered yes to the preceding question, is the license still active or operating?
Yes
No
N/A
05
Do you have direct management experience working in an analytical testing laboratory? Please briefly explain why your experience makes you the best candidate for this role.
06
Do you have hands-on experience operating and maintaining instruments for analysis of various chemistries and/or running and maintaining microbiological tests and experiments? Please describe your experience.
07
The Cannabis Regulatory Mission Statement is: "The Cannabis Regulatory Agency will establish Michigan as the national model for a regulatory program that stimulates business growth while preserving safe access to cannabis." Briefly describe what this means to you and how you would apply this in the role as the laboratory manager of the CRA Reference Laboratory.
08
Do you possess a valid State of Michigan Driver's license and are you able to safely drive a SOM vehicle?
Yes
No
09
Are you willing and physically able to drive a SOM vehicle 100-400 miles a day several days a month to obtain samples for testing or conduct routine audits?
Yes
No
10
To collect recruitment effort data, please select from below how you learned of this job opportunity. We appreciate your feedback:
College/University Career Services Office
College/University Career Fair
Employee Referral
GONGWER Capitol Jobs Marketplace
Handshake
Michigan Civil Service Office of Career Services
Michigan Works! Agency
Other Job Posting Site (Indeed, ZipRecruiter, etc.)
Pure Michigan Talent Connect
NEOGOV job alert
Veterans Organization
X (previously Twitter)
LinkedIn
11
If you selected Other Job Posting, Veteran's Organization, or Employee Referral in the previous question, please identify the source or employee name for which you learned of this opportunity. If referred by a LARA employee but prefer not to name them, you may simply write, "LARA Employee Referral".
12
Did you attach your resume, cover letter, and official college transcripts to your application? Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.
Yes
No
Required Question
Employer
State of Michigan
Department
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - LARA
Address
LARA-ohrinfo@michigan.gov
611 West Ottawa
Lansing, Michigan, 48933
Phone
517-241-1196
517-335-9700
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