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Laboratory Assistant, Grade 14

About the Position

The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $53,567 per year to $68,156 per year, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Due to the American Correctional Association and Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, for mandated staffing requirements, there is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification of limiting hiring to a female candidate. Only female applicants will be considered for this position.

WHO WE ARE

The Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR) is responsible for the intake, reception, and diagnostic functions, including law enforcement processing of adult male and female offenders arrested in Montgomery County. The Pre-Trial Supervision Unit (PTSU) is seeking a Laboratory Assistant (Download PDF reader) to join their team.

PTSU provides monitoring of court-ordered bond conditions to defendants who are released into the community while awaiting trial. A case management team monitors a defendant’s bond conditions compliance until their case has been adjudicated. Court-ordered drug testing is generally required as part of a defendant’s bond condition. Positive drug tests could result in court violations and must be reported to the Court. The program utilizes an on-site urinalysis laboratory to conduct drug/alcohol testing.

The Eligible List created from this recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Pre-Trial Supervision Unit (PTSU) is seeking a Laboratory Assistant (Download PDF reader) to join their team.

A Laboratory Assistant candidate should be able to:

Ensure chain of custody procedures and protocols are followed.
Record results of drug testing.
Enter data of test results in computer databases.
Prepare basic statistical information on urine tests and testing.
Work a schedule from 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Prior to appointment, all applicants must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, psychological evaluation, Core 1 medical examination, and drug/alcohol screen.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the substance abuse disqualification for this position prior to applying. Please click, or copy and paste the following link: https://dsd.maryland.gov/regulations/Pages/12.10.01.22.aspx

Individuals selected for this position will be considered ‘Essential Employees.’ Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave.

Prior to a promotional appointment within DOCR, the selected individual must answer the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) questions and submit to a criminal history to comply with the Prevention Planning on Hiring and Promotion Decisions (115.17, 115.117, 115.217, 115.317). This is a requirement to meet Federal law and audit standards.

What You'll Be Doing

Direct observation and testing of urine samples of criminal defendants reporting to the Pre-Trial Supervision Unit.
Performance of breathalyzer and saliva testing of both male and female defendants reporting to the Pre-Trial Supervision Unit.
Ordering and maintaining the inventory of supplies needed for substance abuse testing in the facility.
Maintaining the urinalysis lab for cleanliness and safety.
Researching and responding to inquiries regarding drug test results from caseworkers and management

staff.

May be required to testify in court regarding drug testing procedures.
Responding to point of contact inquiries from defendants participating in the programs within the division.
May assist with office functions, including front desk reception coverage, assisting with defendant

drug testing check-in, assisting with the recordation of defendant participation in various program activities, and preparing basic correspondence.

Maintaining and updating the Exposure Control Plan for the facility.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: One (1) year of experience working in a laboratory environment.
Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.
Equivalency: None.
LICENSE: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence may be required.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevance of training, and experience in the following areas:

Knowledge of the principles, practices, materials, and equipment in performing urinalysis drug screening.
Knowledge of basic safety precautions to be taken when performing urinalysis drug screening.
Ability to work in compliance with established laboratory procedures and standards.
Ability to interact with a diverse population, including criminal defendants.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients and staff.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

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