STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Microbiologist 2 (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #220908-7390HC-001

Introduction

Are you interested in a career in public service? If so, join us and make an impact by serving your state. We invite you to please read below & apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a motivated and experienced candidate for the position of Microbiologist 2.  Located in Rocky Hill, the Connecticut Public Health Laboratory (CT PHL) offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth. This is a full-time, first shift, thirty-five (35) hour per week, position with a typical work schedule of Monday through Friday with opportunities for flex scheduling.

Since 1995, the CT PHL has been a participant in the CDC Emerging Infections Program that includes the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (EIP FoodNet).  EIP FoodNet surveillance projects are conducted statewide and require both epidemiology and laboratory support. In 2020, CT PHL conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) on over 800 bacterial isolates implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks for this surveillance program.   Several success stories have arisen since the implementation of WGS at the CT PHL, where WGS was vital in definitively linking case-patients to an outbreak. This Microbiologist 2 position is crucial to the CT PHL’s ability to sustain the capacity to provide critical data from WGS for a more comprehensive picture of the isolates involved in foodborne outbreaks. In conjunction with epidemiological data, this greatly enhances the quality of our surveillance program. 

The recently established centralized Advanced Molecular Diagnostic laboratory (AMD) at the CT PHL, has continued to provide rapid identification and characterization of emerging and re-merging disease-causing agents using complex, sensitive and specific tests in the applied clinical area of laboratory diagnostics. The implementation of these tests has improved clinical patient management while enhancing epidemiologic disease monitoring, surveillance, outbreak investigation, and disease control. The AMD laboratory has been paramount in the COVID-19 diagnostic response in Connecticut, validating multiple testing platforms and testing specimens since the onset of the pandemic.   

The Mission of 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.

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!

Please note, this opportunity was previously posted (Recruitment # 220502-7390HC-001) and individuals that applied to the prior posting must apply to this new posting in order to be considered.   

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

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 Fried via email at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov.

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 with clinical molecular diagnostic techniques for the detection, identification, or characterization of pathogenic bacterial, fungal, or viral agents such as Salmonella and other Gram-negative species, Candida species, HIV, arboviruses, Influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses;
  • Experience with Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control principles and practices;
  • Experience working in a Biosafety Level -2 laboratory, using Biosafety Level -3 practices Experience with and/or knowledge of laboratory safety policies and procedures;
  • Experience with prioritization of workflow and multi-tasking; and
  • Experience with CLIA and laboratory-developed test assays requirements.

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.