Public Health Microbiologist III

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general direction of the Public Health Laboratory Director (Lab Director), plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day operations of the Public Health Laboratory, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-accredited laboratory performing high complexity testing in compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ‘88); and related duties as assigned. This position fulfills the CLIA ‘88 requirement for a Technical Supervisor for testing in a high complexity laboratory.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Public Health Microbiologist III position differs from the Public Health Microbiologist I and II in that the incumbent is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, ensuring it complies with state and federal regulations regarding testing procedures, and supervising laboratory personnel. The Public Health Microbiologist III position differs from the Lab Director in that the Lab Director position must review and approve laboratory policies, procedures, and quality assurance practices to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be someone with strong experience and training in public health microbiology and possess local health department laboratory experience. They will also be looking to implement strong safety and quality standards for the local public health laboratory. They will employ strong communication skills to ensure the laboratory serves the regional catchment area effectively. They will be eager to oversee the lab staff and lab functions including certification needs and equipment maintenance. The ideal candidate will be a leader interested in developing a strong team through clear communication and high expectations. They will also work to implement standardized processes to ensure smooth laboratory functioning. They will employ a growth-mindset and look for ways to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and strong customer service. The ideal candidate will also possess a California Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Service and be able to meet the current “Technical Supervisor” qualification requirements of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Implements and oversees multiple county public health laboratory services and activities; reviews, recommends and implements policy and procedural changes; analyzes statistical and fiscal data and operational problems to develop operating procedures for laboratory programs and functions; ensures that the physical plant and environmental conditions of the laboratory are appropriate for the testing performed; provides a safe environment in which employees are protected from physical, chemical and biological hazards; ensures that verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method; ensures that the laboratory personnel are performing the test methods as required for accurate and reliable results; ensures that proficiency testing samples are tested as required, that the results are returned within the time frames established by the proficiency testing program, and that all proficiency testing reports are reviewed by the Lab Director to evaluate the laboratory’s performance and to identify any problems that require corrective actions; implements an approved corrective action plan when any proficiency testing result is found to be unacceptable or unsatisfactory, or when a deficiency is noted by the staff at the California Department of Health Services, and notifies the Public Health Branch Director and Health Officer of the deficiency; ensures quality control and quality assurance programs are established and maintained; ensures that reports of test results include pertinent information required for interpretation; ensures that consultation is available to the laboratory’s clients on matters relating to the quality of the test results reported and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions; consults with and acts as a reference for physicians, clinical laboratories, and other divisions of Shasta County HHSA-Public Health Branch; provides training and consultation to local clinical laboratories in handling of potential bioterrorist agents; supervises, motivates, and assists laboratory staff in resolving complex and / or technical problems; assists in preparing annual laboratory budget and operates within budgetary constraints; identifies potential funding sources and prepares proposals for contracts and grants; recommends laboratory services and fees in consultation with the Lab Director and other appropriate department staff; oversees inventory control, fiscal controls, and preventive maintenance; performs laboratory testing; works collaboratively with other department programs to provide laboratory services to all divisions as necessary; and performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

Knowledge of :

Bacteriological, serological, mycological, parasitological, virological, and other microbiological principles; laws, regulations and standards pertaining to public health laboratories; techniques, equipment and terminology used in the examination of body fluids and tissues, foods and water; proper laboratory safety precautions and procedures; current trends and concepts in public health microbiology and the general field of public health; causes and modes of transmission of communicable disease; basic principles of administration and supervision.

Ability to :

Operate a public health laboratory program; perform complex laboratory tests and examinations; maintain proper laboratory safety precautions, procedures, and quality assurance; prepare clear and concise programmatic and fiscal records and reports; set up and operate laboratory equipment; detect equipment malfunctions and substitute alternative testing methods; interpret laws, regulations and standards pertaining to health and chemical laboratories and related facilities; analyze and implement policies and procedures; supervise laboratory personnel (assist in hiring; train, motivate, evaluate, and assist in any disciplinary process as appropriate);actively promote the Public Health Department’s mission and population-based health outcomes orientation; establish and maintain excellent interpersonal relations with a diverse range of people and agencies; establish and maintain a strong customer service perspective and teamwork approach; identify and solve laboratory technical and administrative problems efficiently; and provide innovative and strategic leadership on behalf of Public Health Lab services.

These employment standards are typically attained with four years of increasingly more responsible work as a Public Health Microbiologist II and demonstrated ability to meet the core competencies for this position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must meet the current “Technical Supervisor” qualification requirements of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (as of August, 1996, these requirements were listed in : Final Rule 42 CFR Subpart M-Personnel for High Complexity testing. §493.1449, October 1, 2011); and possession of a valid California Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Service.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

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

• Do you have four (4) years of increasingly more responsible work as a Public Health Microbiologist II? Yes / No.
• If yes to supplemental question #1, please list the job title(s) and the dates of employment, and describe the functions and duties performed, equipment used, and responsibilities held. If no, please type "N / A."
• Do you have possession of a valid California Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Service? Yes / No

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 made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and 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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 5 : 00 p.m., on February 20, 2025. 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  www.ShastaCountyCareers.com  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 will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov / fair-chance-act.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary : $85,836 - $109,560