The successful candidate’s starting pay will fall within the pay ranges listed below. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.

 

For candidates living in Boston, MA, Denver, CO, New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, and Washington, DC, the pay range is $86,600 - $100,700.

 

For candidates living in the United States, besides Boston, MA, Denver, CO, New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, and Washington, DC, the pay range is $73,400 - $85,350.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a US-based role that requires the employee to reside within the 48 contiguous states.

 

This is a term-limited position for 12 months following hire date with the potential to extend provided funding is available.

 

The Senior Specialist, Infectious Diseases (ID) works in close collaboration with ID team members and other APHL staff, CDC partners and state and local member public health laboratories on activities aimed at improving and assuring quality laboratory practices for infectious diseases detection and surveillance. The Senior Specialist will split their time supporting respiratory disease activities (70%) and the HIV, viral hepatitis, STD and tuberculosis (HHST) activities (30%). These projects include Biothreat Radar initiatives, and international surveillance programs for coronavirus and other respiratory viruses (CORVID) as well as antimicrobial resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The Senior Specialist provides scientific and administrative support to execute activities associated with the association’s ID program including coordination, planning and program development for meetings, site visits, trainings and routine conference calls. 

 

The Senior Specialist, ID reports to the Manager of Infectious Disease under the overall supervision of the Director of Infectious Diseases. They collaborate with APHL staff to ensure projects are completed in a timely fashion. He/she contributes to other association projects as assigned.

 

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the U.S. and globally. APHL’s member laboratories protect the public’s health by monitoring and detecting infectious and foodborne diseases, environmental contaminants, terrorist agents, genetic disorders in newborns and other diverse health threats.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

 

Project Management

• Assists with development, execution and monitoring of contracts in support of ID Program activities including Biothreat Radar projects and international surveillance of antimicrobial resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeoae, coronavirus and other respiratory viruses.
• Facilitates activities, conference calls and development of communications (documents, protocols, reports, articles, blogs, presentations and correspondence for the Association) in coordination with ID team members and in collaboration with APHL member public health laboratories and the CDC.
• Works with ID Program staff other APHL departments including procurement, marketing and communications, conferences and events and global safety and security to assure delivery of high quality trainings, assessments, meetings and workshops . Activities may include but are not limited to agenda development, conference call facilitation, developing flyers or promotional materials including online content (blogs, social media posts, etc.), communicating with speakers/faculty, travel coordination, preparing documentation, hotel contracts, procuring supplies and catering.
• Facilitates information and technology transfer related to infectious disease issues among CDC, APHL members, national associations, and other federal agencies.
• Provides information regarding CDC Infectious Disease activities (such as new technologies, funding resources, grant opportunities, regulatory issues) to our members through various outlets.

Communications

• Ensure timely and appropriate communication between partners, members and APHL staff as needed.
• Develop and disseminate information through updates on program website, SharePoint, weekly E-Update and newsletter, Lab Matters, and other communication avenues.
• Serve as a scientific resource for other internal staff in the communications, marketing, policy and other departments.
• Prepare presentations about the Association's ID Program activities to deliver at conferences and seminars. Attend scientific symposia on behalf of the association.

Professional Development and Growth

• Maintain proficiency in microbiology practices through participation in Continuing Education opportunities, reviewing scientific literature, and working with technical experts at CDC, member public health laboratories, and clinical laboratories.

Team Collaboration and APHL Representation

• Participate in ID staff team meetings and develop agendas/run meetings on a rotating basis.
• Provide administrative support to the ID Committee on a rotating basis.
• Provide customer service by responding to public health laboratories inquiries about relevant ID team activities via email and telephone.
• Represent the organization as requested in external initiatives, advisory committees, and federal, state and private stakeholder meetings to promote the value of ID activities in public health laboratories.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Up to 30% travel may be required.

• Bachelor’s degree required in life science/laboratory field; Master’s Degree in public health or life science preferred; 2-5 years of relevant employment history.
• Advanced technical training or Master’s degree may be substituted for work experience.
• Health department, federal agency, member-based organization, or laboratory field experience preferred.

Knowledge

• Microbiology and/or molecular laboratory science; familiarity with infectious disease diagnostic testing methods preferred
• General activities undertaken at membership-based organizations, federal agencies, or state and local health departments
• Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite including, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook required, familiarity with Teams and SharePoint preferred

Skills

• Well organized and detail oriented
• Project and time management skills required with ability to track and maintain progress toward project deadlines and objectives
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relation skills
• Computer literacy, successful experience in word processing, data analysis presentation preparation, and use of e-mail

Abilities

 

• Demonstrated capability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines
• Ability to communicate clearly with multiple groups
• Ability to apply sound judgement to carry out instructions furnished in written or verbal form
• Ability to work well with changing priorities and on teams

APHL Week is a Conference/Convention that is held at the APHL Home Office (Bethesda, MD). This event is mandatory for all employees to attend. Travel and lodging will be reimbursed by APHL.

Please Note: Reimbursement for travel and lodging may not be possible for employees that are local to the APHL Home Office.

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are illustrative ones anticipated for this position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of its programs. This job description and any attachments do not constitute or represent a contract.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a colleague to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

During the job, the colleague may need to sit for extended periods, use a computer keyboard to type, read information visually, and communicate orally through a computer monitor.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, protected veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.