STI Laboratory Lead Microbiologist

The Public Health Laboratory is the state’s reference lab, handling everything from detecting emerging pathogens to managing all newborn screenings for the state. Your work will directly support disease detection, outbreak response, and the health of Washington’s most vulnerable residents.

The Opportunity:

Join the Washington State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) in a critical role leading the STI Laboratory , which also provides backup support for the Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory. Your work will directly support communicable disease surveillance and diagnosis, including HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis, and TB. This position is essential to the health and safety of Washington residents—managing complex laboratory testing, supporting outbreak response, and ensuring timely reporting to partners across the state.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily operations of the Syphilis and HIV (STI) laboratory unit, ensuring accurate and timely testing.
• Perform and document staff training, competency assessments, and remedial training when needed.
• Oversee laboratory testing processes, including RPR, VDRL, TP-PA, Syphilis CMIA, HIV Combo Ag/Ab CMIA, and HIV Supplemental Assay.
• Review and release results, ensuring accuracy and compliance with turnaround times.
• Troubleshoot technical issues and provide subject matter expertise to staff, stakeholders, and program representatives.
• Validate and implement new testing methodologies, equipment, and procedures in compliance with CLIA and CAP standards.
• Collaborate with the TB lab lead, epidemiologists, and state program staff to coordinate testing schedules, outbreak response, and reporting.
• Maintain safety protocols for BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory environments.
• Contribute to lab readiness for inspections, risk assessments, and quality improvement initiatives.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking a collaborative and detail-oriented laboratory professional with:

• Proven experience in diagnostic testing for STIs (HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis) and familiarity with TB testing procedures.
• Strong skills in staff training, competency evaluation, and team leadership.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting lab equipment, testing errors, and QC/QA issues.
• Experience implementing new laboratory methods and maintaining compliance with safety and accreditation standards.
• Commitment to accuracy, timely reporting, and excellent customer service to internal and external partners.
• Ability to work on-site in a BSL-2/BSL-3 environment and respond to surge capacity needs during public health events.

We value all relevant experience (paid or unpaid) and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Experience may have been gained concurrently. To be considered, you must meet one of the required qualification options along with all additional qualifications listed in the “Required Qualifications and Experience” section. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Option 1:

• Six (6) or more years of experience in a Microbiology or Molecular laboratory including 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution which includes either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses - OR - 24 semester hours of science courses that includes Six (6) semester hours of chemistry, Six (6) semester hours of biology, and Twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination
• AND Laboratory training that meets one of these criteria: Completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, the CAHEA, or other organization approved by HHS - OR - At least three (3) months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the incumbent performs high complexity testing.

Option 2:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell biology, Biology, Chemistry, or another basic medical science, WHICH INCLUDES 20 or more semester hours or quarter hours equivalent in microbiology, or a subject related to the study of microorganisms.

AND 
Three (3) or more years of experience in a Microbiology or Molecular laboratory.

• Master's degree in the aforementioned areas will substitute for 1 year of experience.
• PhD in the aforementioned area will substitute for 2 years of experience.

Additional Required Experience

• Experience reading, synthesizing, and presenting technical information, both orally and in writing.
• Experience reviewing laboratory test results and quality control data.