Definition
laboratory. Sections employ five or more subordinates and address various laboratory management subdisciplines; or acts as the research coordinator for all microbiological subdisciplines within a state laboratory; or is the quality assurance manager or the lead state laboratory evaluation officer for all microbiological subdisciplines of a state laboratory.
Typical Work
Plans and directs all operational functions of a state laboratory section(s);
Participates with management in determining what tests should be run by the section(s) and adapts known techniques to meet the operational facilities and standards of the sections; may act for the laboratories chief during their absence;
Maintains continual surveillance over tests performed to assure adherence to proper technique and necessary standards of accuracy; bears direct responsibility for all work performed in the section(s);
Conducts and coordinates laboratory studies and makes recommendations based on the findings;
Confers regularly with personnel of local health or food safety departments, medical laboratories, physicians and representatives of other organizations (public or private) relative to existing or proposed work of section(s);
Plans and conducts in service training for employees within the section(s) and conducts training seminars and classes for others such as medical students, microbiology students and medical laboratory operating personnel;
Plans and conducts special studies to resolve problems within assigned operational area;
Performs the duties of all other Microbiologist classes;
Performs other work as required.
Participates with management in determining what tests should be run by the section(s) and adapts known techniques to meet the operational facilities and standards of the sections; may act for the laboratories chief during their absence;
Maintains continual surveillance over tests performed to assure adherence to proper technique and necessary standards of accuracy; bears direct responsibility for all work performed in the section(s);
Conducts and coordinates laboratory studies and makes recommendations based on the findings;
Confers regularly with personnel of local health or food safety departments, medical laboratories, physicians and representatives of other organizations (public or private) relative to existing or proposed work of section(s);
Plans and conducts in service training for employees within the section(s) and conducts training seminars and classes for others such as medical students, microbiology students and medical laboratory operating personnel;
Plans and conducts special studies to resolve problems within assigned operational area;
Performs the duties of all other Microbiologist classes;
Performs other work as required.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: organization and operation of public health and medical laboratories including diagnostic tests and techniques in fields of bacteriology, serology, and microscopy; public health or food safety agencies and functions on state and local level; public health or food safety laboratory practices, techniques and equipment; microbiology research methods and requirements; sources of data on current microbiology research; scientific report writing.
Ability to: plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate work of technical/ professional laboratory personnel; work cooperatively with personnel of state, local public and private laboratories; perform research studies.
Ability to: plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate work of technical/ professional laboratory personnel; work cooperatively with personnel of state, local public and private laboratories; perform research studies.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree with major study in microbiology, public health, pathobiology, chemistry, medical technology, environmental health or closely allied field. College curriculum must include at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology
AND
Six years of professional experience in a microbiology laboratory.
A Master's degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for one year of experience.
A Ph.D. degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for two years of experience.
No more than two years of education may be substituted for laboratory experience.
NOTE: Selective certification will be allowed for candidates whose specialized experience is in the same microbiology subdiscipline as the position to be filled.
AND
Six years of professional experience in a microbiology laboratory.
A Master's degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for one year of experience.
A Ph.D. degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for two years of experience.
No more than two years of education may be substituted for laboratory experience.
NOTE: Selective certification will be allowed for candidates whose specialized experience is in the same microbiology subdiscipline as the position to be filled.
Class Specification History
Revised July 14, 1972.
Revises definition, minimum qualifications, adds distinguishing characteristics.
Revised May 1, 1975.
Revises minimum qualifications.
Revised February 9, 1979.
Revises definition and minimum qualifications, adds distinguishing characteristics.
Revised March 15, 1985.
Revises definition and minimum qualifications, general revision, title change
(formerly Microbiologist 5), class code change (formerly 5337).
Revised March 3, 1986.
Revises definition.
Revised August 15, 1986.
Revises definition and minimum qualifications.
Revised December 12, 1986.
Revises minimum qualifications.
New class code, formerly 53360, effective July 1, 2007.
Revised definition, typical work, knowledge and abilities: adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
Revises definition, minimum qualifications, adds distinguishing characteristics.
Revised May 1, 1975.
Revises minimum qualifications.
Revised February 9, 1979.
Revises definition and minimum qualifications, adds distinguishing characteristics.
Revised March 15, 1985.
Revises definition and minimum qualifications, general revision, title change
(formerly Microbiologist 5), class code change (formerly 5337).
Revised March 3, 1986.
Revises definition.
Revised August 15, 1986.
Revises definition and minimum qualifications.
Revised December 12, 1986.
Revises minimum qualifications.
New class code, formerly 53360, effective July 1, 2007.
Revised definition, typical work, knowledge and abilities: adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.
