State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Supervising Microbiologist (35 Hour) (8210HC)

$48.98-$66.60 Hourly / $3,427.90-$4,661.69 BiWeekly /
$89,468.00-$121,670.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Agriculture and Public Health this class is accountable for supervising a large and/or complex grouping of work in the laboratory.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

This is the professional supervisory level where incumbents plan, coordinate and supervise the activities of a section of a laboratory. A section of a laboratory is defined as a subdivision of the State Health Laboratory consisting of work which is complex and involves lengthy procedures and/or large quantities of work with closely related procedures. In the Department of Agriculture the incumbent may coordinate split-sampling programs and conduct on site laboratory evaluations of state shellfish laboratories.

This level provides three distinct supervisory responsibilities for incumbents:
  • Supervise the work of other professionals at the Principal Microbiologist, Microbiologist 2 and/or Microbiologist 1 levels.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, make staff assignments and approve time off.
  • Participate in hiring decisions and recommending promotions.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from the Agriculture Division Director, Director, Division of Biological Sciences or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises a staff including Principal Microbiologists, Microbiologists 1 and 2's and other laboratory personnel of lower grade as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews work of staff;
  • Provides staff training and assistance;
  • Conducts performance evaluations;
  • Determines priorities and plans unit work;
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
  • Develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards;
  • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
  • Maintains quality control and safety programs and ensures all quality assurance requirements are met;
  • Ensures use of universal laboratory precautions by staff;
  • Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and guidelines;
  • Prepares reports and correspondence;
  • Coordinates data processing for unit;
  • Conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens;
  • Maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise;
  • Evaluates new test procedures;
  • Reviews and approves final reports;
  • Utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results;
  • Ensures laboratory operations are within budget guidelines;
  • Participates in the development of proposals for grant monies;
  • Evaluates and certifies state shellfish laboratories for FDA compliance;
  • May testify in court;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • relevant agency policies and procedures
    • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • laboratory facilities, methods, applications, examinations, equipment, instrumentation and material;
    • current theories, principles and practices of biomedical sciences, microbiological and biochemistry disciplines including aquaculture, bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health;
    • requirements of regulatory and accrediting bodies; 
    • quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures;
  • Knowledge of
    • common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations;
    • universal laboratory precautions;
  • Considerable Skills
    • in microbiological, biochemical, and chemical analytical methods;
    • in diagnostic techniques;
    • in data gathering and data analysis;
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations;
    • interpret test results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent;
    • conduct analytical, consultative and research activities;
    • maintain current knowledge in field of expertise;
    • utilize computer software;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology,biochemistry or molecular biology.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the working lead level in the field of microbiology.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Principal Microbiologist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in the natural sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents working in this class in the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Division must be certified under section 19a 36a33(b) of the Connecticut Public Health Code as an Environmental Laboratory Director and under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
  • Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet various certification and/or licensing requirements.
  • Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(17)-Laboratory/Scientific Services

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

HC 30

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification of Supervising Microbiologist (35 Hour) in Salary Group HC 30 approved effective November 3, 2005. (Revised to add Acknowledgement section and modernize format) Final No. 23-080

EFFECTIVE DATE

04/18/2023
CLASS: 8210HC; EST: 5/1/1953; REV: 4/24/2023;