The Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) at the Department of Public Health (DPH) offers an exciting seasonal opportunity for dynamic individuals to participate in vector-borne disease surveillance in Massachusetts. Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technicians will develop skills in field biology, identifying mosquito habitat, and utilizing an array of traps to trap mosquitoes throughout the state. Additionally, Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technicians will be working in a BSL-II laboratory, speciating mosquitoes and preparing samples for molecular testing. Seasonal Arbovirus Laboratory Technicians will work adjacent to members of the molecular diagnostic team and have opportunities to gain valuable skills in in data maintenance and analytics.
Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Set traps targeting arthropod disease vectors in locations throughout Massachusetts following a variable workweek.
- Sort arthropod catch and identify to species, sex, and life stage to prepare for virus testing.
- Maintain a program of quality control of reagents, equipment, and methods; participate in a program of quality assurance and take corrective action when needed.
- Operating state vehicles all over the state of Massachusetts, in occasional off-road environments.
- Record all pertinent capture information regarding location, trap type, etc.
- Assist in rearing and identification of mosquito larvae.
- Ensure cleanliness and sterilization of laboratory equipment and maintain field-collecting equipment including trap sites and State-owned Vehicles as needed.
- Enter information into database for surveillance of West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and run audits to check all entries from MASPHL customers (Mosquito Control Districts).
- May generate summaries of test results.
- Field work may be performed in rain and rugged terrain.
- May assist in testing and other duties with proper training and supervision.
Required Qualifications:
- Able to follow written and oral instructions and maintain accurate records.
- Capacity to communicate effectively in oral expression and write clearly and concisely.
- Capable to exercise sound judgment.
- Able to work in a team setting.
- Capability to understand and apply policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
- Ability to determine proper format and procedures for assembling items of information.
- General knowledge of laboratory testing techniques and methods; including sample collection, knowledge of sanitation and sterilization methods, techniques and procedures followed in a laboratory.
- Experience working with the types and uses of sterilization equipment and devices used in a laboratory and proper methods used in the disposal of laboratory materials.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of mosquito surveillance in tracking disease.
- Understanding of the different species of mosquitoes and ticks.
- Mastery of wetland assessment and various traps set up & collection.
- Knowledge of laboratory, field & insectary safety procedures and policies.
- General knowledge and experience of mosquito and/or tick surveillance in tracking disease, species of mosquitoes and/or ticks and experience with ovitraps and mosquito rearing.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for interacting effectively with a variety of individuals.
- Capacity to work in a team setting and demonstrate an appropriate level of professionalism.
- Able to multitask and work accurately under stress of time constraints and heavy workload demands.
- Skilled attention to detail, while maintaining neat and orderly work habits in a shared workspace.
- Proficient use of data management software and Microsoft applications such as Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Working Conditions:
- Must be willing to work in an environment exposed to harmful effects of chemicals, gases, fumes, inflammable and pathogenic materials and dangerous equipment infectious agents.
- Willing to work outdoors in swamps and forest, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
- Must be willing to work a flexible seven day schedule including weekends (Saturdays & Sundays trapping).
- Must be willing some holidays and may stand for prolonged periods of time. Ideal candidate will be able to work through mid-October.
- Field work requires transporting objects weighing ~ 30 pounds (on average) for an average distance of 300 feet.
About the Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS):
The DPH Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences (BIDLS), predominantly located in Jamaica Plain, provides public health response to infectious disease. These services include programmatic and epidemiologic response, as well as laboratory testing through the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL).
Infectious disease response services address concerns of the general public as well as those disproportionately affected by infectious disease through a variety of risk factors. BIDLS administers ongoing disease reporting for over 90 reportable diseases in the state. Disease reporting review and follow-up with clinical providers and local boards of health is a central function of the bureau. Surveillance activity is complemented by an extensive contracted service system. These services are funded through state and federal resources and include prevention education, community outreach screening for infectious disease, immunization services, health service navigation, medical case management, insurance enrollment, housing assistance, and referral and linkage to infectious disease treatment.
The SPHL provides scientific expertise and capacity to identify infectious agents, chemical agents, and other toxins that cause human disease. The SPHL is an active partner in joint activities with other bureaus/agencies such as environmental health, food and drug, agriculture, disease prevention and health promotion programs, and public safety. The SPHL is a reference laboratory of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) and is a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Select Agent laboratory. SPHL staff work closely with laboratory and disease prevention programs at the CDC, and partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
BIDLS Vision: Optimize the health of all people in Massachusetts and implement an equitable and just public health response by combatting infections and other public health threats.
BIDLS Mission: Use testing, analytical, and direct service capacities, grounded in data-, science-, and equity-driven public health principles, to share accurate information, provide timely guidance, and respond to infections and other public health threats, leveraging innovation and partnerships at the individual, family, community, and population levels.
DPH Mission and Vision:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.
We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.
Learn more and share a one-pager on DPH and what we do: DPH at a Glance PDF | Doc
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4
