Senior Microbiologist - Public Health Laboratory
King County
Auburn, WA
Full-time
Health Care Provider
Posted on May 1, 2020
- Summary
- Public Health – Seattle and King County values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Public Health – Seattle & King County Laboratory is recruiting for a full time Senior Microbiologist. This position assists in training Microbiologists, identifying and solving problems with laboratory materials and equipment, conducts and interprets advanced microbiological and related laboratory tests for diagnosis of communicable diseases, environmental sanitation, and related research in the Public Health Laboratory.
The duration of this opportunity is expected to last up to one year from position fulfillment.
Applicants from this recruitment may be used to fill additional positions that may occur in the next 6 months.
Commitment to Equity and Social Justice:
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.
- Job Duties
- Conduct and interpret complex microbiological and serological laboratory tests on clinical specimens and environmental samples for pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites, including but not limited to HIV antibody tests, syphilis serology, hepatitis serology, gonorrhea cultures, and nucleic acid amplification tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea and COVID-19.
- Assist in developing quality control procedures and test protocols.
- Log in and label specimens, record laboratory test results on worksheets, and enter results into laboratory information system.
- Calibrate instruments and check quality control of reagents and other solutions or materials used in laboratory tests.
- Troubleshoot problems with reagents, media, materials and equipment.
- Follow safety requirements and guidelines, recognize potential safety hazards and take corrective action.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Bachelor's degree in microbiology, medical technology, or chemical, physical, or biological science, and two years laboratory training/experience in microbiology OR any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform the work.
- Knowledge of relevant principles and bench-level practices of microbiology and serology.
- Knowledge of procedures and protocols for detection and identification of disease agents.
- Knowledge of common causes of communicable diseases and methods of transmission and control.
- Knowledge of laboratory hazards and safety precautions.
- Knowledge of use and care of laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Knowledge of laboratory principles and applications of Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
- Skill in communications (oral and written)
- Skill in leading, training and monitoring the work of others
- Skill in maintaining confidentiality of laboratory information
- Skill in promoting mutual respect and acceptance of all workers in a diverse work group
Who May Apply: This Special Duty Assignment (SDA) / Term Limited Temporary (TLT) position is open to all qualified applicants.
To be considered for SDA, you must be a current King County Career Service employee who has successfully passed probation. You must have supervisor approval prior to taking a Special Duty Assignment. The duration of this opportunity is expected to last one year from position fulfillment. .
Work Schedule: This position has a regular schedule of Monday through Friday, day shift, evening shift, or night shift. At Seattle/King County Public Health we strive to be accessible to those we serve. This position may require flexibility to accommodate different work schedules and work locations.
Work Location:
Harborview Medical Center
Basement West Clinic Wing
325 9th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
Application Process: Applicants from this recruitment may be used to fill additional positions that may occur in the next 6 months.
First review of applications will be on May 15, 2020. Phone interviews may be held within a week of application reviews. Updates will be sent via email.
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:- An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link)
- Completed supplemental questions
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
If you need an accommodation in the recruitment process or an alternate format of this announcement, please inquire directly with the contact listed on the job announcement or Public Health's Human Resources Service Delivery Manager.
Contact: For questions about this recruitment, please email Angela Brown, Human Resource Analyst at abrown@kingcounty.gov.- Supplemental Information
- A complete King County application will include only the requested materials and fully answered supplemental questions that is supported in your application.
- The selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities, work location and working hours.
Necessary Special Requirements:- The selected candidate will be required to submit a background check. Records are not automatically disqualifying.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing required trainings on time.
Union Affiliation: This position is represented by PROTEC17 labor union.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in microbiology, medical technology, or chemical, physical, or biological science, and two years laboratory training/experience in microbiology
- Yes
- No
02If you answered no to questions #1, please share any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides you with the skills, knowledge and abilities required to perform this work.03Do you have demonstrated experience conducting and interpreting advanced microbiological and serological laboratory tests on clinical specimens and environmental samples for pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites?- Yes
- No
04If you answered yes to question #3, please describe your experience with conducting and interpreting advanced microbiological and serological laboratory tests. Include in your response where your experience was acquired, length of experience, the type of specimens and environmental samples you worked with, and your role or level of responsibility. If you answered no, put N/A.05Do you have skills and experience in leading, training and monitoring the work of others?- Yes
- No
06If you answered yes to question #5, please describe your experience with leading, training and monitoring the work of others. Include in your response where your experience was acquired, length of experience, the type of training or leadership you provided, and your role or level of responsibility. If you answered no, put N/A.07Our operations may expand to a 24 hour lab. Are you able and willing to work any one of our three shifts which include day shift, evening shift, and night shift?- Yes
- No
Required Question