Public Health Microbiologist II

CAREER DESCRIPTION Public Health Microbiologist II Salary Information This position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates: Effective June 28, 2024 - 4.25% increase Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.0% increase Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The first round of considerations will be on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Applications received after this date will be processed in the next round. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future Public Health Microbiologist II positions. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications. THE AGENCY The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Strategy and Special Projects, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Medical Health Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community. THE DEPARTMENT The Orange County Public Health Laboratory (OCPHL) is a core component of the Public Health program within HCA that provides laboratory services to Correctional Health Services, Public Health Clinical Services, Communicable Disease Control Division, Environmental Health Services, and clinical and hospital laboratories. Furthermore, OCPHL provides specialized laboratory testing for assessing, investigating, and analyzing infectious diseases of public health concerning Orange County, California. OCPHL is certified by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to perform high complexity testing in the areas of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, immunology, and molecular biology. Additionally, OCPHL has a Water Quality laboratory located in Newport Beach that is certified by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) that primarily monitors the County's ocean and bay recreational waters. THE OPPORTUNITY HCA is recruiting for a Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) II to perform complex standardized microbiological testing in areas such as: bacteriology, mycobacteriology (TB), parasitology, virology, and water quality for the detection of communicable disease-causing agents. The incumbents will be critical in maintaining the quality of testing that Orange County Public Health Laboratory provides to a variety of clients and programs. The duties of the PHM II include, but are not limited to: Provide high quality, public health laboratory services to clients Conduct technical laboratory testing and analysis of a standardized and generally recurring nature using well defined procedures Evaluate, validate, and/or verify new laboratory testing methods Work with laboratory instruments and equipment including calibration and troubleshooting Act as a technical expert for assigned areas and provide consultation to clients Train, review, and oversee the work of PHM I(s), Laboratory Assistants, or PHM Trainees DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will possess the following core competencies: Technical Knowledge Technical Experience Advanced knowledge of microbiological and serological concepts, principles, and techniques that can be applied to public health laboratory testing Utilizing and training on traditional microbiological and molecular methods to test and analyze communicable disease organisms such as Hepatitis, HIV, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, Gonorrhea, and Influenza Applying universal precautions to laboratory hazards associated with laboratory testing Understanding and following policies, processes and procedures for the handling of specimens containing agents of concern such as: blood, sputum, stool, and others Utilizing the Laboratory Information System at different phases of the testing process Conducting different and complex microbiological testing/examination methods and interpreting results for accurate identification of infectious agents Operating technical laboratory equipment and performing routine functional checks; adhering to safety rules and precautions Performing, recording, and reviewing quality control activities; following appropriate regulations, policies and procedures; and adhering to quality assurance program guidelines Understanding quality improvement and making recommendations for improving processes in the laboratory Cross-training in different laboratory testing sections to be able to provide backup testing in the event of a public health incident or emergency Written & Oral Communication Skills Writing standard operating procedures or policies for departmental tests or methods as needed Communicating professionally and tactfully with clients when giving/explaining laboratory results and answering technical questions Communicating professionally with vendors or sales representatives regarding laboratory supplies or equipment as needed Adapting communication style depending on audience (client, peer, management, etc.) Planning & Organization Planning, organizing, and prioritizing work to meet established deadlines Setting objectives and goals to achieve maximum productivity Maintaining proper documentation of equipment records Developing, utilizing and maintaining effective systems to manage multiple tasks and track information, equipment records, quality controls, business goals, etc. Strong attention to detail and monitors and checks work; plans and organizes time and resources efficiently Leadership Teamwork Facilitating, motivating, and supporting others to realize common goals Constructing positive relationships at all levels based on trust and respect Monitoring and sharing opportunities to improved processes and plans Helping staff acquire and apply new knowledge, skills and attitudes by explaining, modeling and giving effective examples MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Click here to learn more about the Minimum Qualifications for the Public Health Microbiologist II classification as well as the physical & mental requirements and the environmental conditions. RECRUITMENT PROCESS Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process. Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy. Application Screening Application Rating (Refer/Non-Refer) Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Application Appraisal HR Review Rating (Weighted 100%): An Application Appraisal conducted by HRS will thoroughly screen and evaluate all application materials for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above. Only the most qualified applicants will be placed on the eligible list. Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedure listed above may be modified. All applicants will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure. Eligible List Once all assessments have been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Please note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements. Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details Email Notification Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders . click apply for full job details