Senior Microbiologist

All employees shall possess the general qualifications, as described in California Code of Regulations Title 2, Section 172, which include, but are not limited to integrity, honesty, dependability, thoroughness, accuracy, good judgment, initiative, resourcefulness, and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

This position requires the incumbent to maintain consistent and regular attendance; communicate effectively (orally and in writing) in dealing with the public and/or other employees; develop and maintain knowledge and skill related to specific tasks, methodologies, materials, tools, and equipment; complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner; and adhere to departmental policies and procedures.

All California Department of Public Health (CDPH) employees perform work that is of the utmost importance, where each employee is important in supporting and promoting an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusivity, essential to the delivery of the department's mission. All employees are valued and should understand that their contributions and the contributions of their team members derive from different cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences, supporting innovations in public health services and programs for California.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by providing public health laboratory testing to identify and characterize microbial pathogens and support outbreak investigations.

Under the general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor I (RSSI) (Microbiologist) of the Bacterial Diseases Section (BDS), Reference Bacteriology Unit, the Public Health Microbiologist II (PHM II) assists the Unit Supervisor in planning daily laboratory work; uses specialized conventional and molecular methods, develops and applies complex, non-standardized analyses; contributes to and follows quality assurance procedures; and performs other functions typical of a State reference laboratory such as providing limited technical consultation to local public health and clinical laboratorians, directors, physicians and officials of other State, local, and private agencies. The PHM II is primarily involved in identification and characterization of a variety of bacterial organisms, including drug resistant bacteria (e.g. carbapenem-resistant organisms, CRO), and assists with coordinating specimen send-out to reference laboratories and triage test reports. The incumbent will also provide coverage for CRO and Neisseria gonorrhoeae antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST).

The candidate is expected to have advanced laboratory knowledge and skills to perform the duties of this position, including culture inoculation, use of conventional microbiological methods and bacterial staining techniques, ability to use a pipette, demonstration of good aseptic technique, knowledge and understanding of basic operation of general laboratory equipment, and demonstration of safe laboratory practices when handling infectious / hazardous materials. Work is performed in a Biological Safety Level (BSL)-2 laboratory; demonstration of safe BSL-2 practices is required. For assigned molecular testing responsibilities, including PCR and sequencing, the PHM II must demonstrate good laboratory technique to avoid contamination or other test errors, basic knowledge of molecular methods and troubleshooting, and ability to work with various computer software applications to analyze results.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Knowledge of Bacteriological, virological, mycological, parasitological, serological and other microbiological principles, techniques, equipment, and terminology used in the laboratory for the detection and identification of disease agents; quality control procedures applicable to general field of microbiology; bacteriological principles, techniques, and terminology used in the examination of food and water; principles, techniques and terminology used in immunology; the common causes of disease and methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases; laboratory scientific resource material; laboratory scientific resource material; laboratory equipment and its care.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in various areas of public health microbiology, regulations, laboratory testing procedures, reporting, and competency assessment.
• Ability to perform microbiological laboratory tests; do varied and difficult laboratory work; provide technical guidance to assistants; keep records and make reports; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; work cooperatively and effectively with others; observe proper safety precautions and procedures.
• Knowledge and experience in health and laboratory safety, CAL/OSHA, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and standards; and Knowledge of Technical skills in online tools, collaboration, and online training platforms.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Teams), Zoom.
• Knowledge and experience in quality control and quality assurance programs in public health laboratories, including equipment, microbiological media, reagents, and general laboratory operations.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.