LTNP Microbiologist 1

Environmental Conservation; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Conservation in Anchorage is seeking a Long-Term Nonpermanent Microbiologist 1 for the Environmental Health Laboratory. In this role you will apply microbiology skills to protect public health by testing samples and supporting regulatory programs.

The position involves training, quality assurance, and participation in weekend rotation for mouse care, with exposure to pathogenic organisms and PPE required. Alaska residency and education requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology or related field.
• Possible immunization requirement for some positions.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological testing of food, dairy, shellfish, seafood, water, and other samples.
• Prepare samples, conduct analytical testing, and review data to produce defensible results.
• Support foodborne illness investigations, QA, proficiency testing, and certification requirements.
• Maintain laboratory operations including media preparation, QC, decontamination, SOP updates, and data entry.
• Participate in training, audits, and other laboratory activities, including animal care and mouse husbandry.

Skills

Adaptability

Reasoning

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving

Quality Assurance

Education

BSc in Microbiology / related field

Job description

Job Description

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

This position is being recruited for in Anchorage.

What you will be doing:

Put your microbiology skills to work protecting Alaska’s public health. As a Long-Term Nonpermanent (LTNP) Microbiologist 1 with the Environmental Health Laboratory in Anchorage, you’ll:

• Perform microbiological testing of food, dairy, shellfish, seafood, water, and other samples to support public health and regulatory programs.
• Prepare samples, conduct analytical testing, and review data to produce accurate, reliable, and legally defensible laboratory results.
• Support foodborne illness investigations, laboratory quality assurance, proficiency testing, and certification requirements.
• Maintain laboratory operations through media preparation, quality control, equipment and workspace decontamination, SOP updates, data entry, and peer review.
• Participate in training, audits, and other laboratory activities, including animal care and mouse husbandry.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s mission is to conserve, improve, and protect Alaska’s natural resources and environment to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of Alaskans. The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) supports this mission by providing analytical and technical information for environmental health programs that monitor food, seafood, water, and zoonotic diseases. Through accurate, timely, and legally defensible microbiological testing, this position helps protect public health, support regulatory programs, and ensure the safety of food and drinking water throughout Alaska.

The benefits of joining our team:

Join a supportive laboratory team where you can build your microbiology skills while doing work that matters to communities across Alaska. You’ll gain hands‑on experience with a variety of sample types, opportunities for training and professional development, and experience working both independently and collaboratively with other laboratory professionals. Our team values knowledge sharing, accountability, and continuous improvement. Your work will directly support public health, food safety, and industries that depend on reliable laboratory testing. Be part of a team whose work makes a meaningful difference in protecting Alaskans.

The working environment you can expect:

The EHL is located in its own building near Anchorage’s U‑Med district, offering free parking, access to public transportation, and proximity to Far North Bicentennial Park and Campbell Tract trails with frequent wildlife viewing. The facility includes bike racks, shower amenities, and well‑equipped laboratory spaces that support a mix of independent and collaborative work, making it easy to incorporate alternate transportation, lunchtime exercise (walk, run, ski or bike, etc.), or outdoor breaks into your day.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:

Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.

Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

Quality Assurance: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a procedure fulfills functional requirements and standards.

Special Notice:

This position requires performing a terminal bioassay on live mice and is expected to participate in weekend/holiday rotation for mouse care.

This position will be exposed to pathogenic organisms such as, but not limited to, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, Brucella; common allergens including shellfish, crustaceans, rodents, and feathers; as well as dead animals, whole carcasses, tissues, bodily fluids; live animals, including mice and potentially poultry; parasites such as ticks, in specimen containers; and areas where corrosive chemicals such as hydrochloric and nitric acid are used. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

Valid Alaska driver’s license is desired

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college in microbiology, medical technology, a laboratory science, a biological science, or chemistry, or a closely related field.

Special Note:

Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be immunized against infectious diseases.

Additional Required Information

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

To demonstrate the required education, please attach transcripts. Unofficial are acceptable, please ensure that the institution and URL name are listed on the transcripts.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW

Three (3) professional references with phone numbers and email addresses.

Last two (2) performance evaluations. A supervisor’s letter of recommendation may be used as a substitute for each evaluation, if unavailable.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY

Please be sure to check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

EDUCATION

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

NOTE: The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

WORK EXPERIENCE

When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full‑or part‑time. Applications will be