Microbiologist II

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Job description

Description

Under general supervision of the Public Health Laboratory Director, conducts and interprets tests in the specialties of Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Diagnostic Immunology, Chemistry, and Toxicology in support of medical, communicable disease, and environmental health programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Microbiologist II is the journey level of the series. Incumbents are responsible for providing professional level services in the area of microbiology.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department. In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency exam with a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Health Care Agency - Public Health

Microbiologist II is represented by theService Employees International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: 10/27/2021

CLOSING DATE:Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs. Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

* Performs testing of specimens to detect disease indicators or agents; interprets results from standardized procedures developed in microbiology, serology, chemistry, and molecular biology;
* Performs and interprets physical, chemical, and microbiological exams on food, water, and other material important to environmental sanitation;
* Implements validation procedures for the establishment of new testing procedures or processes; assists the Laboratory staff with the design of validation procedures;
* Performs quality control checks and maintains quality control charts and inventory control as required;
* Analyzes and interprets data, maintains records under required standards, and prepares oral and written reports;
* Writes and revises procedures for the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of testing for specimens that are submitted to the Public Health Laboratory;
* Occasionally conducts training in-service programs in various areas of microbiological concern to the Public Health Department;
* Provides consultation to the medical community regarding proper specimen selection, collection, and transport for certain disease investigations; occasionally prepares specimens and infectious material for shipment to other facilities for specialized testing;
* Supports the laboratory's preventive maintenance and repair program. Gathers information related to the upkeep of equipment and assists with ensuring the laboratory's equipment is properly maintained;
* Prepares specimens and performs stains for rabies and malaria causative agents;
* Compounds reagents, materials, and media for laboratory tests if required;
* May assist with training and orientation of new employees and trainees; helps coordinate the work of support technicians to address workload needs;
* Engages in continuing education and stays current with technical changes in Public Health Laboratory testing methods; and
* Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

A Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology, or a related science field, and Certification as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the State of California are required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: principles, techniques, equipment, and terminology used in a public health laboratory during the performance of tests in the specialties of Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Diagnostic Immunology, Chemistry, and Toxicology; laboratory safety precautions and hazard awareness; quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement practices; current trends and developments in microbiology; infectious disease transmission and control methods; laws and regulations applicable to public health laboratories.

Ability to: perform diagnostic laboratory tests on human, animal, and environmental samples with speed, accuracy, and correct interpretation; respond to analytical problems with correct assessments and apply appropriate corrective actions; keep accurate records and prepare clear, concise reports; establish and maintain cooperative inter- and intra-agency working relationships with coworkers, managers, and supervisors; manipulate laboratory equipment in order to hold, twist, and shake, samples during analysis; distinguish measuring increments of millimeter and milliliter and correctly determine qualities of color, shape, size, and number; properly operate standard laboratory equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, plate washers, autoclaves, and computers.

Supplemental Information:

Work is generally performed in a laboratory setting using standard laboratory equipment and supplies.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

LATERAL TRANSFER OPTION: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE EVALUATION - 100%

A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience, and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence providing all information requested. Examinees must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral exam will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.
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