JC-491929 – Bacteriology Microbiologist

Overview

The Department’s programs and services, implemented in collaboration with local health departments and state, federal and private partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, touch the lives of everyone who calls California home, and the millions who visit here each year.

The essential functions of the Department are critical to the health and wellbeing of people and communities. The California Department of Public Health”s (CDPH) fundamental responsibilities are comprehensive in scope and include infectious disease control and prevention, food safety, environmental health, laboratory services, patient safety, emergency preparedness, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, family health, health equity and vital records and statistics.

The Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) of the CDPH provides reference diagnostic and surveillance testing, and applied research activities for the detection, epidemiologic investigation, control and prevention of bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases.

*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

*The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

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

Under general direction of the Research Scientist III in the Vaccine Preventable Pathogens & Molecular Bacteriology Unit, the Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) I  performs identification of bacterial pathogens using both classical and molecular methods, and reports results to submitters.  The PHM I conducts quality control, assists with test validation and verification studies to implement new test methods, uses the MDL Lab Information System (LIMS), updates protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and applies good safety practices in the workplace.  Due to the nature of the essential functions of the position (see below), the candidate must be able to transfer large numbers of testing materials (medium plates, tubes and cultures, etc.) from one location to another (refrigerators, incubators, and testing benches, etc.) in a timely and safe manner to maintain test integrity.  The candidate is expected to have basic laboratory knowledge and skills to perform the duties of this position, including culture inoculation and Gram stain, ability to use a pipette, demonstration of good aseptic technique, knowledge and understanding of basic operation of general laboratory equipment (incubators, freezers, autoclave), and demonstration of safe laboratory practices when handling infectious / hazardous materials.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST I
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 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

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=491929

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.