Vaccine and Molecular Scientist

Incumbents in one of these classifications, where a Master's Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 2% of their monthly base pay. Those where a Doctoral Degree is required to meet the minimum qualifications, shall receive an educational pay differential equivalent to 3% of their monthly base pay. Individuals with both a Master's and Doctoral Degree will be given the best benefit in relation to salary shall only be eligible for only one amount.

This position supports the California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by planning, organizing, and performing scientific research studies to advance detection and scientific understanding of vaccine preventable viruses and rickettsial pathogens.

The Research Scientist I (Microbiological Sciences) (RS I) will perform high complexity testing and provide technical scientific consultation on the detection and surveillance for measles, mumps, mpox, hepatitis A virus, and select rickettsial diseases, as well as the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 public health response. Under supervision of senior scientific personnel, the incumbent will support outbreak investigations and pathogen characterization projects using a variety of complex methods that may include, but are not limited to, immunoserology, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and amplicon and whole genome sequencing (WGS).

The RS I works with potentially infectious materials in a biosafety level 2 or 3 laboratory. The RS I will use appropriate biosafety precautions, including personal protective equipment as required, as well as standing or sitting for long periods of time in a laboratory environment.

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor (V), Chief of the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Reference Unit.

This is a Limited Term position that may be extended or become Permanent.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey :

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (MICROBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES)

Additional Documents

Position Details Job Code # :

JC-464985

Position #(s) : 581-732-5578-909

Working Title :

Vaccine and Molecular Scientist

Classification :

RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (MICROBIOLOGICAL SCIENCES) $6,707.00 - $8,579.00

of Positions : Work Location :

Contra Costa County

Telework : In Office

Job Type :

12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California's diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory Program (VRDL) is one of the oldest and largest state public health virology laboratories. As a CLIA-certified state public health laboratory performing high complexity testing, it serves as the reference laboratory for local public health laboratories and other clients and provides some primary testing for local public health departments that do not have laboratories. The VRDL is an advanced reference laboratory for the federal Laboratory Response Network and is regulated under the federal Select Agents Program. VRDL provides laboratory testing, technical consultation and support, training and assistance, and research required for the diagnosis, investigation, and control of Viral and Rickettsial diseases, and for the development and maintenance of high-quality state and local public health laboratory services in California.

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases Section (VPDS) is one of four laboratory diagnostic testing sections in the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory, Center for Laboratory Sciences, California Department of Public Health. The VPDS performs diagnostic and surveillance testing for measles, mumps, hepatitis A, mpox, and other vaccine preventable diseases to support clinical diagnosis, disease surveillance, and epidemiological investigations. VPDS employs a wide array of test methods, including serologic, fluorescent antibody, and molecular detection and virus variant typing assays, including molecular epidemiological studies of measles, hepatitis A, and mpox to provide valuable support to epidemiological investigations by pinpointing sources of human exposures.

Department Website : Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts official or un-official and / or Degree for education verification.

For experience / education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and / or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start / end dates (MM / DD / YYYY) . Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

A completed State application (STD. 678) and any other relevant documents (e.g. unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers Account. Please reference Job Control # (464985) and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e. social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination / Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received / processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.

If you are unable to submit your application electronically through your CalCareers account, please email apply@cdph.ca.gov for assistance and a CDPH Human Resources Division staff member will contact you to assist with the online application process or, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method as explained in the How to Apply section below. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date : 2 / 21 / 2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and / or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination / Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below :

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to :

Department of Public Health

CCAU Mailing

Attn : Classification & Certification Unit

P.O. Box 997378

MS 1700-1702

Sacramento , CA 95899-7378

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at :

Department of Public Health

CCAU Drop Off

Classification & Certification Unit

1615 Capitol Avenue Suite 73.430

Sacramento , CA 95814

08 : 00 AM - 05 : 00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job :

Please see Statement of Qualifications instructions below at end of posting . Any applications received that do not provide a written response to the SOQ will not be scored / reviewe d .

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate :

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of experience in a public health laboratory setting working with infectious materials performing research in the detection of viruses.

Technical skills desired include practical work performing real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and antibody detection assays; knowledge of sterile techniques and standard precautions for working with pathogens and potentially infectious clinical specimens.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to perform micromanipulations such as pipetting small volumes and other fine measurements using laboratory equipment.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work independently to develop, evaluate, and apply scientific research techniques into viruses and rickettsia, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a positive and self-motivated style, and the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

A valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate is desired.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website : Special Requirements

Human Resources Division

916) 445-0983

apply@cdph.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact :

Elisa Nucum-Snell

510) 412-3700

elisa.nucum-snell@cdph.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact : EEO Office

916) 445-0938

California Relay Service : 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Instructions

Statement of Qualifications :

Please describe how your education and work experience address the training and skills as related to the job description and desired qualifications. Include your public health laboratory experiences and any training you may have related to handling and testing potentially infectious human clinical samples.

PLEASE NOTE : Resumes, letters, Supplemental Questionnaire, transcripts, degrees, your state application, cover letters and other materials will not take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Simply copying and pasting your resume will also not be accepted. Applications received without an SOQ may be rejected.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.