Bioinformatics Supervisor, Public Health Laboratories (...

Salary: $117,079.00 - $157,399.00 Annually Location : King County - Shoreline, WA Job Type: Full Time - Permanent Job Number: DOH8851 Department: Dept. of Health Division: Public Health Laboratories (PHL) Opening Date: 02/25/2026 Closing Date: 3/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step Description Bioinformatics Supervisor, Public Health Laboratories This is a full-time onsite position sitting at our Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline, WA. The Opportunity The Bioinformatics Supervisor is a Data Science & Informatics Specialist 4 who will oversee the bioinformatics function within the Public Health Laboratories, supervising a team of senior informatic specialists and serving as a bioinformatics subject matter expert in the Division of Disease Control and Health Statistics. This role sets direction for genomic data analysis, infrastructure development, and operational standards that support pathogen surveillance, outbreak detection, and laboratory accreditation. Day-to-day work includes planning and prioritizing projects, managing staff performance and development, guiding the design and validation of bioinformatics pipelines, and ensuring quality control for next generation sequencing data. The position partners closely with epidemiology, IT, quality assurance, and laboratory teams to align systems, data structures, and reporting tools with public health needs. It also oversees budgets, contracts, hardware planning, and data governance practices, while recommending infrastructure improvements to keep pace with evolving technology. Beyond Washington, this role serves as a regional bioinformatics resource, supporting multiple states with technical assistance, training coordination, and sustainable informatics solutions. The impact is practical and measurable: stronger genomic surveillance, clearer data for decision makers, and a laboratory system equipped to respond to emerging health threats. Key Responsibilities Include:Supervise and develop a team of bioinformaticians, including hiring, performance management, workload planning, and professional development Direct the design, validation, and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for pathogen characterization, comparative genomics, and evolutionary analysis Ensure compliance with laboratory accreditation standards, quality assurance requirements, and data protection protocols Partner with IT and cross functional teams to strengthen cloud and local computing infrastructure, data retention practices, and reporting systems Manage program budgets, contracts, hardware planning, and grant supported activities Provide expert consultation to internal leadership, local health jurisdictions, academic partners, and national public health partners Serve as a regional technical resource, coordinating training and supporting informatics capacity across multiple states Contribute to emergency preparedness and surge response for communicable disease events Why You'll Love This Role:Oversight of a highly specialized team working at the intersection of genomics, data science, and public health practice. Opportunity to shape bioinformatics infrastructure and standards that influence laboratory operations statewide. Work that directly strengthens outbreak detection, surveillance, and public health decision making. Regional and national collaboration that advances genomic epidemiology beyond a single agency. What You Bring: You are a steady technical leader who is comfortable supervising experienced specialists and setting clear expectations while still staying close to the work. You bring strong judgment, organization, and the ability to translate complex genomic and informatics concepts into practical guidance for laboratory, epidemiology, and IT partners. You think critically, approach problems with rigor, and balance innovation with quality, compliance, and data integrity. You are confident in making decisions in complex or evolving situations, communicating clearly with both technical and nontechnical audiences, and building collaborative relationships across programs. Most importantly, you are motivated by public service and committed to using data responsibly to strengthen public health response and surveillance. Minimum Qualifications There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile. Option 1: Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience performing advanced bioinformatics or genomic data analysis in a public health, healthcare, or research setting, including demonstrated experience leading the design, validation, and operational implementation of bioinformatic workflows used to inform scientific or public health investigations AND demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff, projects, or programs. Option 2: A master's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, molecular biology, data science, or a closely related field; and at least Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience performing bioinformatics or genomic data analysis, AND demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff, projects, or programs. Option 3: A doctoral degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, molecular biology, data science, or a closely related field; and at least four (4) years of professional experience applying bioinformatics or genomic data analysis in a public health, healthcare, or research setting, AND demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff, projects, or programs. Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and ExperienceExperience developing, validating, and maintaining bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing data Knowledge of genomic analysis methods such as phylogenetics, SNP analysis, genome assembly, and genome annotation Experience working with large, complex, and unstructured genomic datasets Proficiency in bioinformatics or data analysis tools, scripting languages, or workflow management systems commonly used in genomic analysis Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to nontechnical audiences in writing and verbally Preferred Qualifications While these aren't required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate. Two (2) or more years of experience leading or supervising staff, including assigning work, managing performance, and providing feedback or corrective guidance. Experience collaborating with epidemiologists, laboratorians, and IT professionals to support surveillance or outbreak response activities Knowledge of data quality, quality assurance, and quality control practices for laboratory or genomic data Experience ensuring data security, privacy, and compliance with applicable data retention and sharing requirements Experience developing, maintaining, or overseeing bioinformatics pipelines using Python and/or Bash scripting languages Experience supporting bioinformatics or genomic analysis workflows in cloud or hybrid computing environments Experience working with next-generation sequencing data in a public health, research, or applied genomics setting Experience designing, building, or maintaining databases to support bioinformatics or genomic analysis workflows Experience using command-line tools to execute, validate, or troubleshoot bioinformatics analyses and data processing workflows Employee Benefits We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family's health, financial security, and work-life balance. You'll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you're living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health. The Public Health Laboratories - Where Science Protects Communities At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life-saving screenings, your work will drive disease detection, outbreak response, and protect Washington's most vulnerable. We're the state's reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity-driven team committed to real-world impact and public health at scale. About the Washington State Department of Health We're nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website. Working Conditions: The following describes the working conditions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Work Setting, including hazards:This position may work from home, a DOH facility, or remotely from an alternate location. The official duty station for this position is located at the Public Health Laboratories in Shoreline, WA. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoor at home or office environments. This position is sedentary, working at a computer for extended periods. Schedule (i.e., hours and days):This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects assignments, and/or meet business demands/deadlines. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval. Travel Requirements:Travel is not required to perform the duties of this position; however occasional or infrequent travel may be expected to attend meetings, training, or conferences. Tools and Equipment:This position uses standard office furniture and equipment, such as a desk, office chair, cell phone, computer, monitor(s), keyboard, and mouse; and when in the office, the position may also require the use of a printer, phone, fax machine, and/or copy machine. Customer Interactions:Frequent contact (likely daily) with clients. Other:This position does not have union representations and is not covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The DOH campus is a smoke-free, drug-free, alcohol-free, scent-neutral environment. This position may be required to conduct and/or participate in public health emergency preparedness and response activities. APPLICATION DIRECTIONS: We're committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won't be accepted or shared with the hiring manager. Click "Apply" to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD-214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references, directly in your Applicant Profile or as a separate attachment, including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you've supervised or led (if applicable). DO NOT INCLUDE private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation. Veterans Preference: Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or a signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve. DOH is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran's status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. Questions and Accommodations: If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Shawnelle Goalder, Talent Acquisition Consultant/Recruiter at and reference DOH8851 in the subject. Technical Support: Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627 for technical support and login issues. SUBSCRIBE to DOH Job AlertsSupplemental Information This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in full will have their responses reviewed for consideration. Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile. This position is located in King County. The advertised pay includes a 5% location-based salary adjustment. This position's advertised salary includes a 5% premium for required dual-language duties. More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time. Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 01-07-2026 01 Where did you first hear about this employment opportunity? a. DOH Employment Site/Job Alerts b. DOH Employee c. Friend or Acquaintance d. Indeed e. LinkedIn f. Careers.wa.gov g. Job Fair - if selected, answer Question 2 h. Other - if selected, answer Question 2 02 If you selected "g" or "h" to Question 1: Where you first heard about this employment opportunity? 03 Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Yes No 04 Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status? (e.g. H-1B, F1, TN, etc.) DOH is not an E-Verify agency) Yes No 05 I have the following qualifications (select ONE): a. Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience performing advanced bioinformatics or genomic data analysis in a public health, healthcare, or research setting, including demonstrated experience leading the design, validation, and operational implementation of bioinformatic workflows used to inform scientific or public health investigations AND demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff, projects, or programs. b. A master's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, molecular biology, data science, or a closely related field; and at least Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience performing bioinformatics or genomic data analysis, AND demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff, projects, or programs. c. A doctoral degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, molecular biology, data science, or a closely related field; and at least four (4) years of professional experience applying bioinformatics or genomic data analysis in a public health, healthcare, or research setting, AND demonstrated experience leading or supervising staff, projects, or programs. d. None of the above 06 How would you describe your experience in developing, validating, and maintaining bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing data a. No Experience: Has not developed, validated, or maintained bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing data. b. Limited Exposure: Has assisted with portions of pipeline development or validation, such as running established workflows or documenting results, with guidance. c. Experienced: Has independently developed, validated, and maintained bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing data, including troubleshooting errors and updating workflows as needed. d. Advanced Experience: Has led the design, validation, optimization, and long-term maintenance of complex next-generation sequencing pipelines, implemented quality controls, resolved performance issues, and provided guidance to others. 07 Select which best describes your level of knowledge with genomic analysis methods such as phylogenetics, SNP analysis, genome assembly, and genome annotation a. None: I am unaware of phylogenetic analysis, SNP analysis, genome assembly, or genome annotation methods. b. Basic Awareness: I recognize these genomic analysis methods and understand their general purpose but cannot confidently apply or explain them in detail. c. Knowledgeable: I understand the principles and applications of phylogenetics, SNP analysis, genome assembly, and genome annotation and can apply them to genomic datasets with confidence. d. Advanced Knowledge: I have in-depth, practical knowledge of these genomic analysis methods and can design analyses, interpret complex results, and advise others on appropriate methodological approaches. 08 How would you describe your experience in working with large, complex, and unstructured genomic datasets a. No Experience: Has not worked with large or unstructured genomic datasets. b. Limited Exposure: Has handled genomic datasets of moderate size or complexity and required guidance to clean, organize, or analyze them. c. Experienced: Has independently managed, processed, and analyzed large, complex, and unstructured genomic datasets, including data cleaning, transformation, and quality checks. d. Advanced Experience: Has extensive experience architecting workflows to manage high-volume genomic datasets, resolving data integrity issues, optimizing performance, and mentoring others on best practices for handling complex genomic data. 09 How would you describe your proficiency level in using bioinformatics or data analysis tools, scripting languages, or workflow management systems commonly used in genomic analysis a. None: I have very little proficiency using bioinformatics tools, scripting languages, or workflow management systems for genomic analysis. b. Basic Understanding: I can use basic features of bioinformatics tools or scripting languages to run standard analyses with some guidance. c. Proficient: I can independently use bioinformatics tools, scripting languages, or workflow management systems to build, modify, and execute genomic analysis workflows and resolve routine issues. d. Advanced Proficiency: I have a deep understanding of multiple bioinformatics tools, scripting languages, or workflow systems, and can design complex workflows, optimize performance, and troubleshoot advanced technical challenges. 10 How would you rate your ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to nontechnical audiences in writing and verbally a. None: I do not have the ability to clearly explain complex technical information to nontechnical audiences. b. Basic Awareness: I can explain technical information in simple terms with close guidance and preparation. c. Capable: I can independently translate complex bioinformatics or genomic analysis concepts into clear written reports and verbal presentations for nontechnical audiences. d. Strong Ability: I consistently communicate complex genomic or technical findings clearly and effectively to nontechnical stakeholders, adjust messaging based on audience needs, and assist others in improving their communication. 11 Do you have two (2) or more years of experience leading or supervising staff, including assigning work, managing performance, and providing feedback or corrective guidance? Yes No 12 How would you describe your experience in collaborating with epidemiologists, laboratorians, and IT professionals to support surveillance or outbreak response activities a. No Experience: Has not collaborated with epidemiologists, laboratorians, or IT professionals in surveillance or outbreak response settings. b. Limited Exposure: Has participated in collaborative efforts but had a limited role in supporting surveillance or outbreak response activities. c. Experienced: Has independently collaborated with epidemiologists, laboratorians, and IT professionals to support surveillance or outbreak response activities and contributed to shared analysis or reporting. d. Advanced Experience: Has played a key role in multidisciplinary collaboration for surveillance or outbreak response, coordinated cross-functional efforts, and provided technical expertise to inform public health decision-making. 13 Select which best describes your level of knowledge with data quality, quality assurance, and quality control practices for laboratory or genomic data a. None: I am unaware of data quality, quality assurance, or quality control practices for laboratory or genomic data. b. Basic Awareness: I understand that data quality and quality control are important but have limited understanding of specific practices or standards. c. Knowledgeable: I understand and apply data quality, quality assurance, and quality control practices when working with laboratory or genomic data. d. Advanced Knowledge: I have a comprehensive understanding of data quality systems and routinely design, implement, or oversee quality assurance and quality control practices for laboratory or genomic data. 14 How would you describe your experience in ensuring data security, privacy, and compliance with applicable data retention and sharing requirements a. No Experience: Has not been responsible for ensuring data security, privacy, or compliance requirements. b. Limited Exposure: Has followed established data security and privacy procedures but did not have primary responsibility for compliance. c. Experienced: Has independently ensured data security, privacy, and compliance with data retention and sharing requirements in genomic or laboratory data environments. d. Advanced Experience: Has led efforts to establish or oversee data security, privacy, and compliance frameworks, addressed complex regulatory requirements, and guided others on best practices. 15 How would you describe your experience in developing, maintaining, or overseeing bioinformatics pipelines using Python and or Bash scripting languages a. No Experience: Has not developed, maintained, or overseen bioinformatics pipelines using Python or Bash. b. Limited Exposure: Has modified or run existing Python or Bash scripts within bioinformatics pipelines with guidance. c. Experienced: Has independently developed or maintained bioinformatics pipelines using Python or Bash scripting to automate genomic analyses and troubleshoot issues. d. Advanced Experience: Has designed and overseen complex bioinformatics pipelines using Python or Bash, optimized performance, implemented robust error handling, and mentored others in scripting best practices. 16 How would you describe your experience in supporting bioinformatics or genomic analysis workflows in cloud or hybrid computing environments a. No Experience: Has not supported genomic analysis workflows in cloud or hybrid computing environments. b. Limited Exposure: Has assisted with running genomic workflows in cloud or hybrid environments under supervision. c. Experienced: Has independently supported bioinformatics or genomic analysis workflows in cloud or hybrid environments, including managing resources and resolving common issues. d. Advanced Experience: Has architected or optimized bioinformatics workflows in cloud or hybrid environments, addressed scalability and security considerations, and guided others in best practices. 17 How would you describe your experience in working with next-generation sequencing data in a public health, research, or applied genomics setting a. No Experience: Has not worked with next-generation sequencing data in public health, research, or applied genomics settings. b. Limited Exposure: Has assisted with next-generation sequencing data analysis in academic or applied settings with guidance. c. Experienced: Has independently analyzed next-generation sequencing data in public health, research, or applied genomics settings and contributed to reports or findings. d. Advanced Experience: Has led or significantly contributed to next-generation sequencing analyses in public health, research, or applied genomics settings, including interpreting results to inform decisions or publications. 18 How would you describe your experience in designing, building, or maintaining databases to support bioinformatics or genomic analysis workflows a. No Experience: Has not designed, built, or maintained databases for bioinformatics or genomic workflows. b. Limited Exposure: Has assisted with maintaining or querying databases used in genomic analysis workflows. c. Experienced: Has independently designed, built, or maintained databases that support bioinformatics or genomic analysis workflows, including structuring data and maintaining integrity. d. Advanced Experience: Has architected and optimized databases for complex genomic workflows, ensured performance and scalability, and advised others on database design best practices. 19 How would you describe your experience in using command-line tools to execute, validate, or troubleshoot bioinformatics analyses and data processing workflows a. No Experience: Has not used command-line tools for bioinformatics analyses or data processing workflows. b. Limited Exposure: Has run basic command-line commands to execute predefined analyses with guidance. c. Experienced: Has independently used command-line tools to execute, validate, and troubleshoot bioinformatics analyses and data processing workflows. d. Advanced Experience: Has extensive experience leveraging command-line environments to manage complex analyses, debug workflow failures, optimize scripts, and guide others in effective command-line practices. 20 I have reviewed my responses to the supplemental questions for accuracy and understand they cannot be changed once the job announcement closes. Yes No Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04