Microbiologist jobs in Chico, CA

CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

SKILLS OR EXPERIENCES LISTED UNDER THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

STATEMENT MAY ALSO BE USED TO SCREEN APPLICATIONS

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

TESTING QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

FINAL FILING DATE: *CONTINUOUS*

SALARY INFORMATION

Public Health Microbiologist I: $6,330 - $8,079 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $36.52 - $46.61 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Public Health Microbiologist II: $6,647 - $8,483 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $38.35 - $48.94 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous. 

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Health and Human Services Agency

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Children’s Services, Adult Services, Public Health, and Economic Mobility, with a centralized administration. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

The Public Health Branch focuses on community-wide prevention of communicable disease, chronic disease, injury, substance abuse, family violence, and lead poisoning. Public Health helps the community develop policies and support community environments that encourage healthy behaviors. It promotes nutrition and physical activity, healthy aging, worksite wellness and healthy communities. Public Health is also where the HHSA’s emergency response unit is headquartered, and its laboratory provides testing services for Shasta and numerous other Northern California counties.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

Under general direction of the Director of the Public Health Laboratory, the Public Health Microbiologist I/II performs microbiological and related public health laboratory examinations and related work as required. The Public Health Microbiologist I/II is responsible for specimen processing, test performance, and for test results reporting on clinical and environmental specimens.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

 The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working in a local or state Public Health Laboratory.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• A willingness and ability to work as part of a team.

Public Health Microbiologist I

This is the entry level class for microbiologists who have recently been certified as Public Health Microbiologists or have been out of practice for a number of years. Incumbents apply requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities in learning to perform the full scope of Public Health Microbiologist duties.

Public Health Microbiologist II

The Public Health Microbiologist II is distinguished from the Public Health Microbiologist I by the added responsibility of the Quality Control and Quality Assurance functions.

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

Performs examinations and control tests including mycobacteriological, mycological, parasitological, serological, virological, and bacteriological examinations to determine the absence or presence and nature of disease or abnormal conditions; conducts quality control tests on media and reagents; may draw and examine blood and make qualitative determinations of blood, urine, and other body fluids; performs laboratory analysis of drinking water, recreational waters, food, milk and other specimens; prepares specimens for mailing to reference laboratories; sets up and cares for laboratory equipment and apparatus; keeps records and makes reports; inventories and requisitions equipment and supplies; confers with medical personnel; may assist the Public Health Laboratory Director in directing and training technical personnel; follows the Laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of test results; maintains records that demonstrate that proficiency testing (PT) samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens; adheres to the Laboratory’s quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibration and maintenance performed; follows the Laboratory’s established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the Laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance; identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results, corrects the problems, and notifies the Laboratory Director and/or Health Officer; documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the Laboratory’s established performance specifications; and related duties as required.

Additionally, for Public Health Microbiologist II

The Public Health Microbiologist II is the Laboratory’s Quality Assurance Coordinator.

Establishes the Laboratory’s quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programs appropriate for the testing performed; establishes the parameter for acceptable levels of analytic performance and ensures that these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process from the initial receipt of the specimen, through sample analysis, and reporting test results; resolves technical problems and ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the Laboratory’s established performance specifications; verifies test procedures performed and establishes the Laboratory’s test performance characteristics, including the precision and accuracy of each test and test system; conducts QC test on media and reagents; ensures enrollment and participation in approved proficiency testing (PT) programs commensurate with the services offered; ensures test results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the test system is functioning properly; identifies training needs and assists the Laboratory Director in assuring that each individual performing tests receives regular in-service training and education appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

Knowledge of: Equipment, terminology, and techniques used to perform public health laboratory tests; the principles of bacteriology, serology, mycology, virology, and parasitology; causes and modes of disease transmission; preparation, mounting, and staining of specimens.

Ability to: Perform microbiological and biochemical examinations skillfully set up and operate technical laboratory equipment; perform accurate tests and analyses; detect equipment malfunctions and substitute alternative testing methods; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively with supervisor, patients, agencies, and Health Department staff; understand and contribute effectively to the mission of the Public Health Department; and observe proper safety precautions and procedures.

Additionally, for Public Health Microbiologist II

Knowledge of: Quality control and quality assurance requirements and methods.

Ability to: establish quality assurance and quality control programs appropriate for the testing performed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

Must meet the Testing Personnel qualifications of the most recent applicable federal and state regulations (e.g., Federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act, CLIA ‘88); and possession of a valid California State Public Health Microbiologists Certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Do you possess a valid California State Public Health Microbiologists Certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services? Yes __ No __  
2. If no to question #1, have you taken a recent California exam to become certified as a Public Health Microbiologist?  Yes___ No__  
3. If yes to question #2, please list month and year exam was taken. 

Applicants who have recently taken an exam are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be met to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, or sit; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an indoor setting. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; blood-borne pathogens; tuberculosis and other etiological agents; medical waste; and miscellaneous carcinogens. 

The employee occasionally works in wet or humid conditions, near moving mechanical parts, in extreme (non-weather) heat, and with explosives. 

The employee is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. 
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – Professional Unit.  

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until position is filled. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

Veterans' Credit: Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran MUST provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) WITH THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL FILING DATE. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at apply online or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515