Principal Microbiologist (35 Hour)

Within the Department of Public Health, Laboratory Division, this Principal Microbiologist position in the BioResponse/Enteric Disease Laboratory will be responsible for performing testing of environmental and clinical samples in a Biosafety Level 2 as well as a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory. Other job duties include safely identifying the causative agents of diseases such as Anthrax, Plague, Tularemia, Brucellosis, Glanders, Meliodosis, Ricin toxicity, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, and other infectious diseases as necessary.

This position requires an FBI background check, fingerprinting and possibly vaccinations as applicable.

Questions pertaining to any phase of this recruitment should be directed to DPH Human Resources: Deb Lyons at Deborah.Lyons@ct.gov or (860) 509-7180.

Please be advised this is a promotional opportunity for employees in the Department of Public Health. The selected employee will be promoted by reclassification in his or her position. This is NOT A VACANCY and, therefore, merit system rules do not apply.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, you must be a current employee of the Department of Public Health, who has permanent state status, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor responsible for a large and/or complex grouping of work in a laboratory.

Plans unit workflow and determines priorities; schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work; establishes and maintains unit procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens; maintains quality assurance programs; prepares and maintains records, reports and correspondence; processes specimens under chain-of-custody; maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise; oversees the use of and utilizes universal laboratory precautions; utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results; acts for Supervising Microbiologist in his or her absence; may be responsible for leading staff and a variety of activities outside normal working hours; may make recommendations on policies or standards; may testify in court; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of current theories, principles and practices of biomedical sciences and microbiological disciplines including bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health; considerable knowledge of current laboratory methods, equipment, instrumentation and material; considerable knowledge of quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures; knowledge of universal laboratory precautions; knowledge of common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations; considerable oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations; ability to conduct analytical, consultative and research activities; ability to interpret complex examination results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

Eight (8) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the full working level in the field of microbiology. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Microbiologist 2.

1. 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.
2. A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Experience working in a BSL-3 laboratory with Select Agents;
• Experience with Serological typing, ELISA methods, Fluorescent Microscopy, Conventional and Real Time PCR testing for enteric pathogens and biological agents;
• Experience with Quality Assurance/Quality Control Practices;
• Experience as a working supervisor or as a team leader in group projects such as validation testing and writing Standard Operating Procedures;
• Experience performing antimicrobial testing by MIC, disk diffusion, etc.

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet the various certification and/or licensing requirements.
3. Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

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

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Department of Public Health aims to provide equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and advancement, fostering an environment committed to supporting individuals in all protected classes.  If you require an aid/accommodation to participate fully and fairly, please contact the Human Resources Office at (860) 509-7177.