Position Function:
The Director of Environmental and Chemical Regulatory serves as the senior scientific and operational leader for the Chemical Regulatory Division of the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory (MSCL) and reports directly to the State Chemist. The Director provides strategic, technical, and administrative oversight of regulatory and fee-for-service laboratory programs to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal requirements while advancing service quality, operational efficiency, and scientific excellence.
This position supervises laboratory programs responsible for chemical and environmental testing related to animal feeds, pet foods, human foods, agricultural liming materials, fertilizers, soil, pesticide formulations, environmental samples, and other regulated products sold in Mississippi to ensure compliance with state specifications, labeling requirements, and applicable standards.
Salary Grade: 17
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory (MSCL) is a state-appropriated regulatory agency for the State of Mississippi as well as a fee-for-service laboratory located on the campus of Mississippi State University. MSCL is dedicated to ensuring the quality and safety of fertilizers, pesticides, animal feeds, petroleum products, and manufactured and retail food. It provides fast, defensible, and reliable analytical data to:
1. The State’s regulatory agencies, including MDAC Bureau of Plant Industry.
2. The State’s federations and councils, such as the MS Farm Bureau and Delta Council.
3. The State’s industries, including Poultry, Catfish, and Manufacturing.
4. The State’s citizens.
The MSCL adheres to the highest professional standards and provides quality analytical services in a timely manner.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provides scientific and operational leadership for the Chemical Regulatory Division; develops and implements long-range strategic plans for facilities, instrumentation, staffing, and program growth; supports development and implementation of MSCL policies; and promotes a culture of scientific integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement aligned with the mission of MSCL.
2. Ensures division compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and MSCL policies; serves as a subject matter expert in feed, fertilizer, agricultural liming materials, pesticide formulations and related regulatory testing programs; provides technical leadership in analytical methods, specifications development, and interpretation or revision of state law and regulations; ensures analytical results are accurate, defensible, and legally sound.
3. Supervises and directs laboratory operations; oversees sample analysis, data review, and reporting processes to ensure accuracy, defensibility, and timeliness of results; monitors workflow and operational performance metrics; improves efficiency and turnaround times; and optimizes use of personnel, laboratory space, and instrumentation and promotes cost-effective use of supplies, consumables, and equipment maintenance resources.
4. Directly supervises divisional managers and staff; performs hiring, training, mentoring, performance evaluation, workforce development, leave approval, and resolution of personnel concerns; and fosters a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing work environment.
5. Maintains and strengthens the division’s quality management system in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 by overseeing audits, documentation control and corrective and preventive actions, proficiency testing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
6. Assists with budget planning and fiscal oversight for division operations; promotes cost-effective use of supplies, consumables, and equipment maintenance resources; and supports sustainable allocation of laboratory resources.
7. Assists in seeking external funding opportunities, including grants, contracts, and expanded fee-for-service activities to support program sustainability and growth; provides technical guidance and responsive customer service within scope of authority; and represents the division in interactions with regulatory agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders.
8. Performs other duties as required by the State Chemist necessary to fulfill the mission of the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory.
Supervisory Responsibility
Responsible for supervising Laboratory Technicians, Laboratory Analysts I-III, Sr. Laboratory Analysts, and Laboratory Managers within the Division.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master of Science in Chemistry/Biochemistry or related chemical/biological science or physical science
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in analytical laboratory operations, regulatory science, environmental testing, or related scientific programs, including supervisory or leadership experience.
Substitution allowed for Education:
None.
Substitution allowed for Experience:
None.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary scientific teams.
• Experience with ISO/IEC 17025 or other laboratory accreditation systems.
• Demonstrated success in securing external funding or managing fee-for-service programs.
• Experience in a regulatory laboratory environment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing chemical and environmental testing including pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and precedents.
2. Strong understanding of analytical laboratory operations and quality systems.
3. Ability to lead teams, manage resources, and improve operational performance.
4. Ability to balance scientific integrity with customer service and regulatory expectations.
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Certification or Licensure Requirements
None.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Exposure to chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, and other environmental samples.
Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., with one often to the point of being objectionable. Injuries may require professional treatment.
Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.
Job frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up-to 50 lbs. Job occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting more than 100 lbs.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants must apply online and attach a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and the complete contact information for at least three professional references. Search, screening, and selection process will begin as soon as the required posting period is completed.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
