Senior Public Health Microbiologist

The Position

CONTINUOUS

The Board of Supervisors have authorized the following future salary increases for this classification:
5% on July 1, 2024 | 5% on July 1, 2025

Bargaining Unit: Local 856 - Health Services Unit
The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent career opportunity for one (1) qualified individual interested in the Senior Public Health Microbiologist position assigned to the Public Health Laboratory located in Martinez, CA; the appointee may be required to travel to various locations within Contra Costa County.

The Senior Public Health Microbiologist is responsible for accurately applying knowledge of accepted scientific techniques, methods, and procedures while performing varied and complex bacteriological, serological, mycological, virological, and parasitological tests. Duties and responsibilities include providing lead direction to technical and non-technical staff; performing tests for which standard procedures have not been established; consulting with supervisor, physicians, and private laboratories in performing tests; making decisions and providing opinions on specimens which fall outside normal limits and maintaining quality control records.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record demonstrating the following:

• Knowledge of accepted techniques, methods and procedures for making bacteriological, serological, mycological, virological and parasitological tests, including specialized and more complex tests
• Ability to assimilate training and experience necessary to perform required specialized microbiological tests

Characteristics of the ideal candidate:

• Excellent leadership and training skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with laboratory staff, the public and members of the medical profession
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Performing the more difficult and complex bacteriological, serological, parasitological, virological, mycological, and immunological tests
• May perform tests for which standard procedures have not been established
• Acting as lead person over a work group of Public Health Microbiologists and non-technical staff
• Providing technical lead direction Public Health Microbiologists
• Making decisions and gives opinions on specimens which fall outside normal limits
• Consulting with supervisor, physicians, and private laboratories in performing tests
• Maintaining quality control records for an assigned work group
• Performing less complex microbiological tests as required
• Providing and promoting excellent customer service for all internal and external customers

To read the complete job description, please visit the website www.cccounty.us/hr
The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Typical Tasks

• Performs the more difficult and complex bacteriological, serological, parasitological, virological, mycological, and immunological tests
• May perform tests for which standard procedures have not been established
• Acts as lead person over a work group of Public Health Microbiologists and non-technical staff
• Provides technical lead direction Public Health Microbiologists
• Makes decisions and gives opinions on specimens which fall outside normal limits
• Consults with supervisor, physicians and private laboratories in performing tests
• Maintains quality control records for an assigned work group
• Performs less complex microbiological tests as required
• Provides and promotes excellent customer service for all internal and external customers

Minimum Qualifications

Registration Required: Possession of a valid certificate as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the California Department of Public Health.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time, or its equivalent, experience performing varied microbiological and clinical tests, and analysis training as a Public Health Microbiologist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist.

Substitution for Experience: A Master's degree in a chemical, physical, biological or clinical laboratory science from an accredited institution may be substituted for one (1) year of clinical lab experience.

Other Requirements: A background investigation/fingerprint and/or physical exam may be required prior to the start of employment.

A COMPLETED SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE IS REQUIRED. THE PUBLIC HEALTH MIRCROBIOLOGIST LICENSE NUMBER MUST BE LISTED IN THE “CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES” SECTION OF THE APPLICATION.

Selection Process

ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COPY OF THEIR CERTIFICATION AND TRANCRIPTS AT TIME OF APPLICATION
1. Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Training and Experience Evaluation: At the time of filing, within the supplemental questionnaire, candidates will be required to complete a training and experience questionnaire. Candidates that clearly meet the minimum qualifications, as described above, will have their training and experience responses evaluated. The training and experience questionnaire is designed to measure candidate’s relevant education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the Senior Public Health Microbiologist classification. (Weighted 100%).

TENTATIVE EXAM DATES

Supplemental questions will be evaluated on a monthly basis. Responses to the supplemental questions are submitted at the time of application filing.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be 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 used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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