STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Supervising Microbiologist (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #221202-8210HC-001

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Supervising Microbiologist to support the DPH Laboratory Division.  This supervisory position will oversee a range of various areas in the Infections Diseases and Microbiology Division, including bacteriology and mycobacteriology. The main responsibilities of this position include the supervision of molecular and conventional testing of suspect bioterrorism agents on both clinical and environmental samples and act as the liaison between the BioResponse laboratory and epidemiology, FBI, law enforcement, local health and hospital laboratory partners.

Duties and responsibilities will include, but are not be limited to:

  • Supervision of BioResponse laboratory testing including the detection and identification of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Burkholderia species, Coxiella burnetii and Ebola Zaire by both conventional and molecular methods in both environmental and clinical samples. 
  • Oversight of the identification of Salmonella species, Shigella species, shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) as well as identification methods for Vibrio species. 
  • Supervision, as needed, will include Norovirus PCR detection, STEC PCR and antimicrobial resistance testing of clinical isolates.

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.

Located in Rocky Hill, CT, the State Public Health Laboratory offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth.  The State Public Health Laboratory provides employment program designed to ensure work/life balance. 

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. 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!

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.
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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.

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; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of laboratory facilities, methods, applications, examinations, equipment, instrumentation and material; considerable knowledge of current theories, principals and practices of biomedical sciences, microbiological and biochemistry disciplines including aquaculture, bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health; considerable knowledge of requirements of regulatory and accrediting bodies; considerable 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; considerable skill in microbiological, biochemical, and chemical analytical methods; considerable skill in diagnostic techniques; considerable skill in data gathering and data analysis; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to perform 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 conduct analytical, consultative and research activities; ability to maintain current knowledge in field of expertise; ability to 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. For state employees this is interpreted at the level of Principal Microbiologist.

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 laboratory accreditation/certification regulations such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act;
  • Experience with clinical assay design, validation, and implementation of new protocols and writing standard operating in accordance with CAP and CLIA requirements;
  • Experience supervising, training and evaluating professional staff;
  • Experience with prioritization of workflow to meet deadlines when presented with multiple demands and time critical activities;
  • Experience writing grants and reporting elements for grant supported activities;
  • Experience with quality assurance programs;
  • Experience preparing and delivering oral presentations to professionals, peer and lay audiences.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. 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.
2. Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
3 Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet various certification and/or licensing requirements.
4. 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.