ABOLISHED 02/02/2017 PER PAY LETTER 17-11 - Chief, Food and Drug Laboratory Branch
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under administrative direction, in the Department of Health Services, to plan, organize, and direct the program and operations of the Food and Drug Laboratory Branch, encompassing laboratory and field services, consultation, and research; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Directs the operations of the Food and Drug Laboratory Branch which performs analyses and makes investigations of the chemical, physical, microbiological, nutritional, and toxicological properties of foods and drugs, and conducts related research; determines the legal significance of the findings of the laboratory with respect to the California Food and Drug laws and regulations; directs the preparation of legal certificate of findings, specifying as to violations of the California Health and Safety Code; reviews data and findings for court cases and represents the Department as an expert witness; advises and works with the Bureau of Food and Drug Inspection on the chemical, physical, microbiological, and toxicological properties of foods and drugs; contributes to the development of policies and control measures necessary to protect from mislabeling, adulteration, and misrepresentation; recommends criteria for development of standards for food and drug products; provides consultation to departmental bureaus and other State and local agencies; consults with Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental agencies on administrative and scientific problems in food and drug technology; coordinates the activities of the laboratory with related work in the Department and with other public and private agencies; administers a program of laboratory research, including the initiation of research projects, determination of priorities, review and approval of proposed research, interpretation of data obtained, and evaluation of completed projects; directs the selection, training, and evaluation of the performance of personnel and takes or recommends appropriate action; prepares scientific papers for publication; addresses interested groups; prepares reports.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
One year of experience in chemistry or a closely related specialty in the California State Department of Health Services in a class at least equivalent in level to Assistant Chief of a laboratory or Research Chemist.
Or II
Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible postdoctoral experience in a large laboratory in administration or supervision of work comparable or closely related to food and drug chemistry. and
Education: Possession of a Doctoral Degree in Chemistry or a closely related specialty.
Or III
Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible experience in a large laboratory in research and in administration or supervision of work comparable or closely related to food and drug chemistry. and
Education: Possession of a Master's Degree in Chemistry or a closely related specialty.
(Under Patterns II and III, experience in one or a combination of the following may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for all except one year of the required administrative or supervisory experience:
1. Independent research in chemistry in a university or research laboratory. or
2. Teaching in chemistry in a collegiate-level institution with a rank at least equal to Assistant Professor.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Physical, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry; principles and methods of study of the toxicology of food additives, preservatives, and chemical contaminants; methods of making biochemical and physiochemical analyses of foods and drugs; biological chemistry, pharmacology, and sanitary science; food and drug chemistry and microbiology related to the preparation and processing of foods and drugs; aspects of microbiology related to food spoilage and food-borne infection and intoxication; grades of food products and standards governing food products; current developments in research in the fields of food and drug technology and nutrition; scientific research methodology; legal principles related to the administration of the food and drug laws in the California Health and Safety Code; public health principles; principles of personnel management and supervision; Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Originate, guide, and coordinate the development of new procedures in solving difficult and unusual chemical laboratory problems; plan, direct, and integrate staff activities; evaluate and interpret chemical and physical research studies; prepare scientific papers for publication; communicate effectively; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; establish and maintain cooperative relations with staff members and with other agencies and persons; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.
Special Personal Characteristics
Demonstrated analytical, research, and administrative ability.
