STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Microbiologist 2 (35 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240415-7390HC-001

Introduction


THE POSITION
The State of ConnecticutDepartment of Public Health (DPH), is currently seeking enthusiastic and driven candidates to apply for the position of Microbiologist 2. This position will work in the Bacteriology/BioResponse Section of the State Public Health Laboratory under the direct supervision of a Supervising Microbiologist. This position requires careful laboratory skills and extensive knowledge of bacteriology to be able to identify different bacteria on various medium types.

 This individual will oversee the processing, testing, and submission of isolates collected as part of the invasive E. coli surveillance (iEC) program. Connecticut will execute the enhanced surveillance in two CT planning regions (South Central and Naugatuck Valley), with extended statewide surveillance for the coordinated CDC Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) related to iEC in neonates <90 days of age. In addition, the Microbiologist 2 will perform identification and confirmation of critical foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Vibrio, and others; subtyping and additional characterization of these pathogens; perform various testing to determine etiology of foodborne outbreaks.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • UNIT: Bacteriology/BioResponse Section 
  • ADDRESS: 395 West St, Rocky Hill, CT 
  • WORK HOURS: Full-Time, First Shift, 35 hours per week 
  • SCHEDULE: Typical work schedule of Monday through Friday, with opportunities for flex scheduling.  
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU 
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO    
  • Engage in a rewarding career;
  • Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve; 
  • Assist our clients so they can achieve success;
  • Make a difference in the public sector;
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.
ABOUT US 
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.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


Please Note: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

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. 
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited.  If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
  • 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.
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. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • 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 Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@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;
      • current laboratory methods, equipment, instrumentation and material;
    • Knowledge of
      • common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations;
      • quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures;
      • universal laboratory precautions;
      • laboratory hazards and safety;
    • Skills
      • interpersonal skills;
      • oral and written communication skills;
    • Ability to
      • perform routine and advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations;
      • interpret test results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent;
      • 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. 

    NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Microbiologist 1.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience with conventional and molecular methods for the identification of all enteric pathogens and emerging infection disease agents and antimicrobial resistance testing
    • Experience with clinical assay, validation, and implementation of new protocols and writing standard operating in accordance with CLIA requirements
    • Experience with 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 that includes maintaining an adequate inventory of in-dated reagents and supplies necessary for the unit's operation and the review and verification of results obtained
    • Experience with and considerable knowledge of Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Safety policies and procedures, including a comprehensive understanding of Biosafety Level 2 and Biosafety Level 3 laboratory practices
    • Experience with packaging and shipping of Category A and B Biological Samples
    • Experience communicating effectively with internal and external clinical laboratory clients and healthcare providers regarding laboratory policies, procedures, test methods and interpretation of analytical results

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.