Public Health Laboratory Assistant

SALARY
$26.61 - $31.63 Hourly
55,529.91 - $66,015.61 Annually
Bilingual allowance, when applicable

Are you dedicated to safeguarding public health and eager to apply your scientific know-how in a dynamic lab setting?

We’re currently accepting applications for a Public Health Laboratory Assistant at our Public Health Laboratory in Santa Barbara. The current vacancy is for an *Extra-Help position; however, we are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help and **1414 vacancies for Public Health Laboratory Assistants in locations throughout the County of Santa Barbara.

*Civil Service Rule 905. Extra Help Appointment. An extra help appointment is defined as an appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies. These positions are exempt from the Provisions of the Civil Service Rules.

**Civil Service Rule 1414 Appointment to Fill Vacancy During Leave of Absence. These vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Please be sure to indicate on your application all of the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, your name will be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) you have expressed you are willing to work.

 

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

BENEFITS for Extra-Help positions: Will be offered once EXH employees reach Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligibility.

 

Individuals in the classification of Laboratory Assistant or Medical Assistant who earn and maintain the certificate of Certified Phlebotomy Technician required by the State of California and who are required to perform phlebotomy duties as a regular part of their work assignments in the Public Health Department shall receive a 10% special duty allowance. 

THE POSITION

Under close supervision, performs routine biological and chemical laboratory procedures related to preparing water, food, and diagnostic specimens for analysis; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Incumbents in this classification perform routine laboratory procedures in the Public Health Department. Incumbents assigned to clinical laboratories perform phlebotomy duties while incumbents assigned to Public Health laboratories perform water bacteriology testing. Laboratory Assistants are distinguished from Clinical Laboratory Scientists and Public Health Microbiologists in that the latter two classifications are licensed professional classes. 

 

THE PROGRAM

The Public Health Department operates a full-service Public Health Laboratory committed to providing the highest quality technical service to its providers and patients. The staff is a dedicated group of licensed/certified professionals with decades of patient care experience working in the community. Click here to learn more about this program: Public Health Lab | Santa Barbara County, CA - Official Website

 

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess: 

• Good communication skills in order to follow verbal and written directions and instructions, that includes Standard Operating Procedures;
• Some knowledge of names and uses for laboratory equipment; 
• Ability to learn the basic understanding of aseptic technique, laboratory standards, regulations and scientific principles required to work in a laboratory; 
• Organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate records. 

  

Click Here to learn more about the County Health team and follow us on Social Media to stay up-to-date.

• Performs bacteriological examinations of drinking and recreational water; reads and records test results; maintains quality control records; and notifies specimen submitter of failure to pass established standards.
• Logs in specimens; assigns specimen accession numbers; creates labels; time stamps laboratory forms or requisitions; stores specimens for subsequent processing; and prepares specimens for transport to other laboratories.
• Prepares primary plantings of specimens for bacteriological studies and centrifuges specimens in preparation for bacteriological and chemical testing and analysis.
• Follows safety guidelines at all times in accordance with the Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions.
• Learns clinical or public health laboratory terminology and procedures, as well as specimens that are required for standard procedures and analyses.
• Responds to in-person and telephone requests from providers, patients, clinic staff, private and state laboratory personnel, and the public; determines what information can be given to the public and that which should be given only to licensed professional staff; and maintains confidentiality of records.
• Performs laboratory-related clerical duties including filing, recordkeeping, entering data into computer database, and distributing test results to appropriate requesting sites.
• Checks standard laboratory supplies inventory to assure adequate inventory levels and either places supply orders or notifies supervisor when orders need to be placed.
• Cleans laboratory working surfaces and disposes of biohazardous waste in accordance with the department's waste management plan.

Possession of a high school diploma (or GED), AND:

1. One semester each of high school or college-level biology and chemistry; OR,
2. One year of laboratory aide experience in a clinical, public health, medical research, or comparable laboratory; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

 

Knowledge of: common laboratory equipment, methods, and procedures; fundamentals of chemistry and biology; infectious agents and diseases; metric system weights and measures; and filing and recordkeeping systems.

 

Ability to: learn laboratory and medical terminology; learn and apply specialized laboratory techniques and procedures; operate and maintain laboratory equipment; maintain accurate manual records and computer databases; perform basic keyboarding; learn and maintain computer competency in programs used in the department; complete work according to industry and safety protocols; follow detailed oral and written directions, precautions, and procedures; perform basic mathematical computations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and fractions; calculate metric weights, volumes, and concentrations of ingredients; establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, and the public; maintain confidentiality of patient records; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

 

Desirable Qualifications: One year of experience performing water bacteriology testing. 

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS: 

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards. 
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and auto-scored. Candidates’ final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.   

Veteran’s preference credit: is applicable for this recruitment (5) points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans’ hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.  No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.  

To receive veteran’s preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran’s Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.  The preference points will be added to your final test score. 

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time. 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution. 

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines. 

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.  

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.  

 

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT  

The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential. 

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances. 

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future.” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members. 

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity. 

 

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 02/20/2025 by 4:59PM PST.  Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com. 

Farrah Medrano, Talent Acquisition Lead
County Health, PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org 

Salary : $55,530 - $66,016