STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Microbiologist 2 (35 Hour)

Recruitment #220502-7390HC-003

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Introduction



Are you ready to make a difference in our State? Interested in joining the outstanding team at the Connecticut Department of Public Health? We encourage you to apply today!

We are seeking a qualified individual for the position of Microbiologist 2 (PCN 101708), to support the Virology and Serology Section. This position will be located centrally at the State Public Health Laboratory, located at 395 West Street in Rocky Hill. This is a full-time, first shift, thirty five (35) hour per week position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday. There may be some opportunity for a flexible/alternate work schedule.

The Virology and Serology laboratory provides comprehensive diagnostic testing services for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Syphilis, Herpes, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea for underserved patients in Connecticut who have limited or no health insurance. In addition, we provide rabies testing on domestic and wildlife animals involved with human exposure for the State of Connecticut. Rabies testing done at our Laboratory allows us to monitor the occurrence of rabies among wild and domestic animals, and are important to guide the medical management of patients exposed to potentially rabid animals. The laboratory also plays an important role in providing diagnostic testing in humans for current and newly emerging Arbovirus related infections including Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This involves validating and implementing laboratory developed serological assays in response to new outbreaks. 

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:

  • Provide accurate and timely diagnosis testing for a variety of diseases
  • Process and evaluate clinical specimens and perform serological and molecular testing utilizing a variety of methodologies and instrument platforms
  • Communicate with healthcare providers, epidemiologists, CDC and local health departments regarding patient results, testing methodologies and specimen sample submission
  • Participate in proficiency and competency testing, instrument and equipment maintenance and calibration, and packaging and shipping of specimens to CDC
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
  • 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.

We participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work/life balance. 

Selection Plan


This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID-19 Vaccination Immunization.

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
  • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, 860-924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs routine as well as new and unusual or difficult examinations and analyses utilizing sophisticated instrumentation; performs microbiological and biochemical tests on human and animal specimens to identify bacteriological agents or locate evidence indicative of presence or absence of communicable diseases; makes microscopic, cultural, serological and other 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 culture, antigen detect assays, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to support investigations of food and water borne outbreaks of disease; prepares reagents; utilizes universal laboratory precautions; utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation, quality assurance data and test results; prepares reports and maintains records of investigations; may testify in court; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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; knowledge of quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures; knowledge of common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations; knowledge of universal laboratory precautions; knowledge of basic laboratory hazards and safety; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to perform routine and advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations; ability to interpret test results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in a public health or clinical 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 junior working level in the field of microbiology. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Microbiologist 1.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in all aspects of laboratory operations that includes experience with serological, virologic and molecular techniques for the detection or identification of viral and bacterial agents such as HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, rabies,  and arboviruses. 
  • Experience with laboratory policies, procedures and protocols needed to meet clinical regulatory requirements.
  • Experience with manual and automated clinical test platforms and instruments, to include maintenance and trouble-shooting capabilities. 
  • Experience with quality assurance, quality control and safety policies and procedures, including a comprehensive understanding of Biosafety Level 2 and Biosafety Level 3 laboratory practices.
  • Experience coordinating with others to establish and maintain daily workflow priorities in the unit to ensure the efficient, prompt, safe, and accurate performance of test procedures 
  • Experience maintaining an adequate inventory of in-dated reagents and supplies necessary for the unit's operation 
  • Experience with review and verification of results obtained.
  • Experience with technical writing of up-to-date standard operating procedures and protocols relevant to all aspects of operation of the unit, and data summary or method validation reports.
  • Experience using interpersonal communication skills with internal and external public health partners, other operating units, and healthcare providers regarding laboratory policies, procedures, test methods performed and interpretation of analytical results.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests and/or 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 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.

Conclusion

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.





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