Public Health Microbiologist I/II

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE SHASTA COUNTY

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY – PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING 

TESTING QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: CONTINUOUS

SALARY INFORMATION

Public Health Microbiologist I: $6,750 - $8,616 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $38.95 - $49.71 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

Public Health Microbiologist II: $7,088 - $9,046 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $40.89 - $52.19 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

This position is in the UPEC -Professional bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements

The salary range consists of six (6) salary steps, with approximately 5% between each step. Newly hired employees are appointed at Step A of the assigned salary range. Employees are eligible for a merit-based salary increase from Step A to Step B after six months of satisfactory service. Thereafter, employees may be eligible for annual merit-based step increases, beginning one year from the Step B effective date, until they reach the top step of the salary range.

• This is a continuous recruitment that is open until the needs of the County are met. 
• This is a continuous recruitment, which means applicants are only able to apply once every six months to this specific recruitment. 
• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Health and Human Services Agency

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with the community to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of Shasta County residents. HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, and a centralized Administration Services. HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill, and those without resources look to HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. 

The Public Health Branch focuses on community-wide prevention of communicable disease, chronic disease, injury, substance abuse, family violence, and lead poisoning. Public Health helps the community develop policies and support community environments that encourage healthy behaviors. It promotes nutrition and physical activity, healthy aging, worksite wellness and healthy communities. Public Health is also where the HHSA’s emergency response unit is headquartered, and its laboratory provides testing services for Shasta and numerous other Northern California counties.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

Under general direction of the Director of the Public Health Laboratory, the Public Health Microbiologist I/II performs microbiological and related public health laboratory examinations and related work as required. The Public Health Microbiologist I/II is responsible for specimen processing, test performance, and for test results reporting on clinical and environmental specimens.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Public Health Microbiologist I

This is the entry level class for microbiologists who have recently been certified as Public Health Microbiologists or have been out of practice for a significant number of years. Incumbents apply requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities in learning to perform the full scope of Public Health Microbiologist duties.

Public Health Microbiologist II

The Public Health Microbiologist II is distinguished from the Public Health Microbiologist I by the added responsibility of the Quality Control and Quality Assurance functions.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a competent Microbiologist able to make an immediately positive impact on external and internal customers while still willing to learn new processes related to the laboratory and the entire department. The candidate should maintain a professional attitude and appearance. This individual will be a positive contributor to the site culture and exemplify the agency values of Collaboration, Adaptability, Respect and Excellence. We welcome a candidate who is interested in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate must communicate well and possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

The Ideal Candidate will be open to candid feedback, able to set priorities and determine objectives, effectively involve stakeholders and partners in planning activities, keep projects moving forward, organize and express ideas clearly in a variety of communication settings and with a wide array of audiences. This individual will speak in a way that encourages open two-way discussion, demonstrate diplomacy, and work effectively with a diverse range of people, treating everyone with respect, patience, and consideration.

Performs examinations and control tests including mycobacteriological, mycological, parasitological, serological, virological, and bacteriological examinations to determine the absence or presence and nature of disease or abnormal conditions; conducts quality control tests on media and reagents; may draw and examine blood and make qualitative determinations of blood, urine, and other body fluids; performs laboratory analysis of drinking water, recreational waters, food, milk and other specimens; prepares specimens for mailing to reference laboratories; sets up and cares for laboratory equipment and apparatus; keeps records and makes reports; inventories and requisitions equipment and supplies; confers with medical personnel; may assist the Public Health Laboratory Director in directing and training technical personnel; follows the Laboratory’s procedures for specimen handling and processing, test analyses, reporting and maintaining records of test results; maintains records that demonstrate that proficiency testing (PT) samples are tested in the same manner as patient specimens; adheres to the Laboratory’s quality control policies, documents all quality control activities, instrument and procedural calibration and maintenance performed; follows the Laboratory’s established policies and procedures whenever test systems are not within the Laboratory’s established acceptable levels of performance; identifies problems that may adversely affect test performance or reporting of test results, corrects the problems, and notifies the Laboratory Director and/or Health Officer; documents all corrective actions taken when test systems deviate from the laboratory’s established performance specifications; and related duties as required.

Additionally, for Public Health Microbiologist II

The Public Health Microbiologist II is the Laboratory’s Quality Assurance Coordinator.

Establishes the Laboratory’s quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) programs appropriate for the testing performed; establishes the parameter for acceptable levels of analytic performance and ensures that these levels are maintained throughout the entire testing process from the initial receipt of the specimen, through sample analysis, and reporting test results; resolves technical problems and ensures that remedial actions are taken whenever test systems deviate from the Laboratory’s established performance specifications; verifies test procedures performed and establishes the Laboratory’s test performance characteristics, including the precision and accuracy of each test and test system; conducts QC test on media and reagents; ensures enrollment and participation in approved proficiency testing (PT) programs commensurate with the services offered; ensures test results are not reported until all corrective actions have been taken and the test system is functioning properly; identifies training needs and assists the Laboratory Director in assuring that each individual performing tests receives regular in-service training and education appropriate for the type and complexity of the laboratory services performed.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

Knowledge of: Equipment, terminology, and techniques used to perform public health laboratory tests; the principles of bacteriology, serology, mycology, virology, and parasitology; causes and modes of disease transmission; preparation, mounting, and staining of specimens.

Ability to: Perform microbiological and biochemical examinations skillfully set up and operate technical laboratory equipment; perform accurate tests and analyses; detect equipment malfunctions and substitute alternative testing methods; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively with supervisor, patients, agencies, and Health Department staff; understand and contribute effectively to the mission of the Public Health Department; and observe proper safety precautions and procedures.

Additionally, for Public Health Microbiologist II

Knowledge of: Quality control and quality assurance requirements and methods.

Ability to: establish quality assurance and quality control programs appropriate for the testing performed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

Public Health Microbiologist I/II

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

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

1. Please describe how you meet the Testing Personnel qualifications of the most recent applicable federal and state regulations (e.g., Federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act, CLIA ‘88)? 
2. Do you possess a valid California State Public Health Microbiologists Certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services? Yes / No If “Yes,” please provide your certificate number and attach a copy of your certificate to your application. If “No,” give date when you expect to be certified.
3. I acknowledge that I must attach this certificate to my application to be considered for this position. 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 met to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, or sit; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and reach with hands and arms.

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

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an indoor setting. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; blood-borne pathogens; tuberculosis and other etiological agents; medical waste; and miscellaneous carcinogens. The employee occasionally works in wet or humid conditions, near moving mechanical parts, in extreme (non-weather) heat, and with explosives. The employee is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the UPEC- Professional. 

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until position is filled. 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 in 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 Fair Chance Act | CRD.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515