JC-469472 – Research Bacteriologist

Overview

The Center for Laboratory Sciences (CLS) is based on the Richmond Campus, locate in the Marina Bay area of Richmond, California, and employs more than 1,200 people. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention. The CLS works to bring together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. In addition, the Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success. The Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) Branch, organized within the CLS, provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and reference laboratory services, applied research, training, and subject matter expertise for a wide range of bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and parasitic infectious diseases across this geographically large, populous, and diverse state.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and
strategic plan by performing quality, timely, highly complex public health laboratory
testing for epidemiologic investigation and testing of bacterial diseases of public health
importance in the State of California.

The Research Scientist I (RS I) works within the Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL)
Branch, Bacterial Diseases Section (BDS). The incumbent will work under supervision of the Reference Bacteriology Unit Supervisor to carry out applied scientific research studies of limited scope and complexity. The RS I is expected to assist with development of protocols; troubleshoot procedures; collect data; work with various computer software applications to analyze results; write reports and
manuscripts; maintain accurate and complete documentation; present scientific findings
to the public; and teach lab practices and concepts in single or group sessions.

The candidate is required to have advanced laboratory knowledge and skills in order to
perform testing duties of this position, including but not limited: culture inoculation; use
of conventional and molecular methods; demonstration of good aseptic technique;
knowledge and understanding of basic operation of general laboratory equipment (such
incubators, centrifuges, freezers, autoclave; PCR thermal cycler); demonstration of safe laboratory practices when handling infectious/hazardous materials; data entry in the
Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS); write testing reports; participate in
quality management.

The RS I may perform testing of specimens submitted from local public health labs and
other CDPH partners in support of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial
isolates related to hospital-associated infections (HAI), sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), outbreak investigations, epidemiologic surveillance, or emergency response.
This position will also provide testing support for Tier 1 Select Agents following
Laboratory Response Network procedures in the High-Risk Pathogens Section (HRPS),
Select Agents & Laboratory Response Unit.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (MICROBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)
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:

California Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) Certification preferred.
Professional certifications, knowledge, and experience with regulated clinical and diagnostic testing.
Knowledge of quality assurance in the public health laboratory setting
Knowledge of up-to-date techniques of data collection, management, analysis, and reporting.
Vaccinations recommended. Work performed in high-containment BSL-3 conditions. Background check and special clearance is required.
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

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=469472

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.