LTNP Microbiologist 1 (PCN 18N24012)

State of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Alaska’s Environmental Health Laboratory in Anchorage is seeking a microbiologist to perform microbiological testing on foods, water, and related samples to safeguard public health. The role includes sample prep, data review, QA support, and participation in training and audits.

The LTNP Microbiologist 1 position requires adapting to diverse sample types, following SOPs, and collaborating with lab staff to ensure accurate, defensible results. Anchorage-based with on-site duties.

Qualifications

• Adaptability to changing priorities and new information.
• Strong reasoning to identify rules and draw conclusions.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate respectfully with diverse teams.
• Analytical thinking to approach problems systematically.
• Knowledge of quality assurance/quality control principles.

Responsibilities

• Perform microbiological testing of foods, water, and other samples to support public health programs.
• Prepare samples, conduct analyses, and review data to ensure accurate lab results.
• Support investigations, QA, proficiency testing, and certification requirements.
• Maintain lab operations, conduct quality control, update SOPs, and document data.
• Participate in training, audits, and other lab activities including animal care.

Skills

Adaptability

Reasoning

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving

Quality Assurance

Education

Bachelor of Science in Microbiology or closely related field

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, and 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.

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.

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

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 reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.

NOTE

Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 907-465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

For specific information about the position please contact the hiring manager:

Tamara Rentz

EH Biological Analysis Manager

907-375-8204

[e-mail]