JC-468122 – Zoonotic & Vector-borne Diseases Scientist

Overview

The Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory Program (VRDL) is one of the oldest and largest state public health virology laboratories.  As a CLIA-certified state public health laboratory performing high complexity testing, it serves as the reference laboratory for local public health laboratories and other clients and provides some primary testing for local public health departments that do not have laboratories.  The VRDL is an advanced reference laboratory for the federal Laboratory Response Network and is regulated under the federal Select Agents Program.  VRDL provides laboratory testing, technical consultation and support, training and assistance, and research required for the diagnosis, investigation and control of Viral and Rickettsial diseases, and for the development and maintenance of high-quality state and local public health laboratory services in California.

The Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases Section (ZVBDS) is one of four laboratory diagnostic testing sections in the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, Center for Laboratory Sciences, California Department of Public health. The ZVBDS performs diagnostic and surveillance testing for rabies virus, hantavirus, endemic and exotic arboviruses, and other animal and vector-borne diseases to support clinical diagnosis, disease surveillance, and epidemiological investigations. ZVBDS employs a wide array of test methods, including serologic, fluorescent antibody, and molecular detection and virus variant typing assays, including molecular epidemiological studies of rabies and Sin Nombre hantavirus to provide valuable support to epidemiological investigations by pinpointing sources of human exposures.

This Public Health Microbiologist II (Virology) [PHM II (V)] position will provide technical leadership and assist in the planning and direction of work in the Zoonotic & Vector borne Diseases Section, Zoonotic & Vectorborne Diseases Genotyping Unit. PHM II (V) performs high complexity diagnostic testing, including targeted and next generation sequencing methods to transition from COVID-19 response efforts to implement new and more sophisticated technologies for advanced laboratory surveillance and diagnostic testing for future outbreaks with potential for broad community spread, including diagnostic testing to support the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 response as well as for rabies, hantaviruses, arboviruses, and select rickettsial diseases, using both in-house and commercial diagnostic assays, and requiring initiative and independent judgment. This position will also perform, interpret, and report complex diagnostic and reference testing in support of any emerging viral or rickettsial disease threat of public health significance.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY)
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:

Possession of a Public Health Microbiologist Certificate.
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=468122

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.