Microbiologist 1 (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is hiring! We are seeking a qualified individual for the position of Microbiologist 1. This Microbiologist 1 position will work at the Department of Public Health's State Public Health Laboratory.

The Environmental Microbiology Laboratory at the CT DPH State Public Health Laboratory is currently participating in the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) retail meat program through the Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM). The purpose of this surveillance is to monitor the prevalence and trends of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from retail food samples purchased from grocery stores in the United States. This surveillance program is intended to improve the detection of antibiotic resistance among bacteria in food commodities.

This Microbiologist 1 position is under the direct supervision of the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor and will support microbiological activities required for the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) retail meat surveillance program. This position will support all pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical, and quality assurance activities associated with this project.

The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

Are you interested in joining our team as a Microbiologist 1? We encourage you to apply today! This position is conveniently located in Rocky Hill, CT. The work schedule for this position is typically Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week. There may be opportunity for flexible scheduling.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.  

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meet the preferred requirements of the position. Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Chelsea Moore at Chelsea.Moore@ct.gov

In the Departments of Agriculture and Public Health this class is accountable for conducting biochemical, microbiological or molecular examinations and analyses of a variety of specimens and substances.

Performs microbiological and biochemical tests on human and animal specimens to identify or detect presence or absence of bacteriological agents of communicable diseases; makes microscopic, cultural and serological examinations of a variety of human specimens; performs bacteriological and biochemical analyses of water, wastewater, sewage effluent and sludge, seawater, seafood, dairy products and other foods; performs microbiological and other biochemical assays for inborn errors of metabolism; performs DNA amplification tests to detect various viral and bacterial agents; provides testing such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to support investigation of food and water borne outbreaks of disease; prepares reagents; utilizes universal laboratory precautions; utilizes computers related to laboratory instrumentation, quality assurance data and test reports; maintains records and prepares reports; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of current principles and practices of biomedical sciences and microbiological disciplines including bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health; knowledge of equipment and instruments used in modern public health laboratories; knowledge of applicable analytical techniques; knowledge of quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures; knowledge of universal laboratory precautions; knowledge of basic laboratory hazards and safety; oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to perform standard biomedical science, microbiological and biochemical examinations; ability to utilize computer software.

Five (5) years of experience in a public health or clinical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology,biochemistry or molecular biology.

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 the General Experience.
3. Successful completion of the Connecticut Careers Trainee program in microbiology may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Experience handling bacterial pathogen isolates such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli and Enterococcus
• Experience with prioritization of workflow and multi-tasking
• Experience with Microsoft Office
• Experience with laboratory information management systems such as HORIZON

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests and immunizations for communicable diseases.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet various certification and/or licensing requirements.
3. Incumbents in this class 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 State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.