JC-477773 - Mycobacteriology Specialist
The Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides reference, diagnostic and applied research activities for the detection, epidemiologic investigation, control and prevention of bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases in humans, food, water and other environmental sources.
New to State candidates will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or alternate range, as applicable.
*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.
*The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.
This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by ensuring quality and providing timely and complex public health laboratory testing for diagnosis and epidemiologic investigation of tuberculosis, other mycobacterial infections, and fungal and parasitic diseases of great public health importance in the State of California.
The Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) Specialist organizes and performs the advanced, complex, and/or innovative testing and analyses that require independent action and judgment. The PHM Specialist works independently, with general guidance, to evaluate, validate, implement, and utilize sophisticated instrumentation, complex laboratory methods, and advance specialized software to detect, isolate, and identify microbial pathogens and genetic markers in a variety of clinical specimens and to perform comprehensive phenotypic and molecular characterization of antimicrobial drug susceptibility. The PHM Specialist provides technical expertise performing highly complex laboratory testing for a range of mycobacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, including but not limited to drug susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, species identification, and epidemiological strain typing and phylogenetic analysis.
The PHM Specialist reviews clinical and epidemiological reports, and updates laboratory and data analysis procedures, as necessary. The PHM Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant federal, state and local regulatory quality and safety standards governing the breadth of work conducted in the Section. The PHM Specialist may be delegated Technical Supervision and/or General Supervision over non-waived, high-complexity testing as defined by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The individual mentors and trains entry-level laboratory staff internally and may provide consultation to Local, State, and Federal partners.
In the PHM Specialist role, the incumbent develops innovative laboratory methods, plans and implements validation studies, conducts applied public health-relevant research, analyzes and interprets complex laboratory data and draws conclusions, and prepares technical reports and papers for publication.
This position requires the incumbent to maintain consistent and regular attendance, communicate effectively (orally and in writing) in dealing with the public and/or other employees, develop and maintain knowledge and skill related to specific tasks, methodologies, materials, tools, and equipment, complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner, and adhere to departmental policies and procedures.
The candidate is expected to have advanced laboratory knowledge and skills in order to perform the duties of this position, including culture inoculation, use of conventional phenotypic and molecular methods as well as advanced genomic techniques, ability to use a pipette, demonstration of good aseptic technique, knowledge and understanding of basic operation of general laboratory equipment, and demonstration of safe laboratory practices when handling infectious / hazardous materials. Work is performed in a Biological Safety Level (BSL)-3 laboratory; demonstration of safe BSL-3 practices and ability to wear necessary respiratory protection for moderate amount of time is required. For assigned molecular testing responsibilities, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the PHM Specialist must demonstrate good laboratory technique to avoid contamination or other test errors, knowledge of molecular methods and troubleshooting, and ability to work with various computer software applications in order to analyze results. The incumbent is expected to develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge about tuberculosis resistance. The PHM Specialist will need to exercise analytical thinking and a significant degree of independence and planning ability.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
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:
Demonstrates independent thought, action, and judgement to solve scientific problems appropriate for a reference public health microbiology laboratory. Experience working in a CLIA regulated laboratory performing high complexity testing in the field of mycobacteriology is preferred.
Public Health Microbiologist Certification.
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.
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=477773
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.