<p>This position is an Hybrid position. </p> <p>IMPORTANT NOTE:  This is a term-limited position and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond June 30, 2026. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first.   </p> <p>A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. </p> <p>The state of Colorado (State) Constitution, Article XII, Officers, Section 13,  requires that "All appointees shall reside in the state".  All non-residents of Colorado must be willing and able to relocate to Colorado if appointed to this position.</p> <p>The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical conditions related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.</p> <p>Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.   </p> <p>The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) serves Coloradans by providing high-quality, and cost-effective public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places. Staff members focus on evidence-based best practices in the public health and environmental fields and play a critical role in educating people in Colorado so they can make informed choices. In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the Department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.</p> <p>Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.</p> <p>Our mission… is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. </p> <p>Our vision… is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.</p> <p>In addition to free parking, access to RTD bus lines, Cherry Creek bike path and flexible working arrangements, click the link below to review additional benefits and perks!!! https://cdphe.colorado.gov/careers</p> <p>Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:  https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch</p> <p>The referral list generated by this position announcement may be used to fill multiple position vacancies and may be extended.</p> <p>  </p> <p>The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) is the department's lead surveillance, planning and response arm for public events including communicable disease outbreaks and epidemics, pandemics, bioterrorism, and other public health and mass casualty events and disasters. The division includes the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response; State Public Health Laboratory; Health Equity Branch, Communicable Disease Branch; Immunization Branch; Public Health Informatics, Reporting, and Refugee Branch; and Operations Branch. The Division exists to ensure that the Department has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events and disasters that impact the public's health.</p> <p>The Work Unit:</p> <p>The Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis Unit at the State Public Health Laboratory exists to provide accurate scientific data and test results about detection, identification, and characterization of microorganisms by current molecular, genomic, bioinformatics, and phylogenetic methods in clinical and environmental specimens from culture independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs), as well as following extraction of nucleic acid targets from live cultures of bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and other agents of public health concern isolated from source specimens. These data are used in timely support of patient diagnosis and management, epidemiological investigations of disease outbreaks, rapid response to bioterrorism events, and identification of agents affecting public health and environment.</p> <p>What you will be doing:</p> <p>The Outbreak Genomic Analyst within the public health laboratory is in charge of analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data produced by the NGS Unit in the Genomic Surveillance Program in the context of outbreak investigations. The position is expected to apply state-of-the-art computational methods and assist in the development of innovative approaches to software challenges that touch all aspects of NGS data analysis. This include but is not limited to pathogen identification, outbreak tracking, mapping drug-resistance determinants, development of novel NGS tests, variant analysis, genome annotation, phylogenetics, and genomic epidemiological analyses.</p> <p>Genomic Data Analysis</p> <ul> <li>Perform genomic and phylogenetic data analysis on NGS data generated in the lab for the purposes of outbreak investigation. Responsible for the implementation of bioinformatic/genomic, phylogenetic, and genomic epidemiological pipelines and workflows. Where applicable, move pipelines forward for CLIA validation. </li><li>Taxonomic assessment of the NGS data. </li><li>De novo genome assemblies. </li><li>Reference read mapping and variant calling. </li><li>Genomic epidemiological analysis. </li></ul> <p>Communication</p> <ul> <li>An integral part of outbreak genomic analysis is communication of results to a broad range of stakeholders, from those with advanced scientific degrees, to epidemiologists, to clinicians, etc. Communication is in verbal and written form, often using technological solutions for communication. </li><li>Communication technology: utilizes technology to communicate information to internal and external partners. </li><li>Use designated technology for sharing information. </li><li>Displays professional demeanor in all situations with professional peers. </li></ul> <p>Data Quality Assessment</p> <ul> <li>Perform data quality assessment of all outbreak-associated NGS data, both the production of the raw data on the NGS instrumentation and genomic/phylogenetic results derived from the processed data.  </li><li>Maintain and ensure data quality from raw data through downstream analysis and reporting </li><li>Evaluate sensitivity and specificity of genomic analysis results </li></ul> <p>Residency Requirement: </p> <p>This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.</p> <p>MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: </p> <p>Experience Only:</p> <p>Six (6) years of relevant experience* analyzing next generation sequencing (NGS) data, conducting testing that required assembly and analysis of genomic data, phylogenetic analysis, statistical analysis, and/or genomic epidemiology and maintaining proper documentation or an occupation related to the work assigned</p> <p>OR</p> <p> </p> <p>Education and Experience:</p> <p>A combination of related education in Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Bioinformatics/Genomics or closely related field and/or relevant experience* analyzing next generation sequencing (NGS) data, conducting testing that required  assembly and analysis of genomic data, phylogenetic analysis, statistical analysis, and/or genomic epidemiology and maintaining proper documentation or an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years</p> <ul> <li>This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application.  "See Resume" will not be accepted.  In addition, part-time work will be prorated.   </li></ul> <p>A copy of your transcripts must be submitted at the time of application.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Late transcripts will not be accepted.</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies:</p> <p>Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior or other posted competency should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process. </p> <ul> <li>An advanced degree (MS, DrPH, PhD) in a biological and/or physical science (e.g., biology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics genomic, or related field)   </li><li>Ability to collaborate and achieve consensus across work units and programs  </li><li>Ability to implement change management process   </li><li>Excellent project management skills </li><li>Effective written and oral communication skills </li><li>Knowledge of generally accepted laboratory QA/QC procedures and processes as they apply to diagnostic and/or environmental testing  </li><li>In-depth knowledge of laboratory regulatory requirements (e.g., CLIA, EPA, FDA, ISO) </li><li>Knowledge of biosafety recommendations and experience working at BSL-3 </li><li>Knowledge of chemical safety recommendations </li><li>Knowledge of and use of desktop computer hardware and software </li><li>Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills </li><li>Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills </li><li>Ability to interpret regulations and statutes </li><li>Ability to interpret and analyze data </li><li>Keen attention to detail </li><li>Ability to self-motivate </li><li>Ability to work well independently as well as in/with a team </li></ul> <p>Conditions of Employment:</p> <p>Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.</p> <p>This is a Hybrid position</p> <p>Travel to conferences to present poster/papers about one week per year. </p> <p>Critical Status:</p> <ul> <li>Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. </li><li>Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. </li><li>This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations. </li></ul> <p>Appeal Rights:</p> <p>An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.</p> <p>As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.</p> <p>Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department's action.</p> <p>For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.</p> <p>A complete application packet must include:</p> <ul> <li>A completed State of Colorado application. </li><li>If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. </li><li>If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. </li></ul> <p>The Selection Process:</p> <ul> <li>All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step. </li><li>Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. </li><li>Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications. </li><li>A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager. </li></ul> <p>E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.</p> <p>ADAAA Accommodations:</p> <p>The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.</p> <p>Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Daniel Mckenna at daniel.mckenna@state.co.us or call 303-692-6319.</p> <p> </p> <p>Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).  Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first- ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it. </p>