Microbiologist

Alamedasheriff; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical – HMO & PPO Plans

Dental – HMO & PPO Plans

Vision or Vision Reimbursement

Employee Wellness Program

Paid holidays

Job summary

Alameda County Health is recruiting for a Public Health Microbiologist to perform laboratory examinations across bacteriology, parasitology, serology, virology, and mycology. The role supports health equity by ensuring accurate testing and reporting for Medi‑Cal populations and uninsured individuals.

The position requires a degree in medical/public health microbiology and a state-certified Public Health Microbiologist license, with supervision under the Behavioral Health and Public Health

Qualifications

• Degree in medical or public health microbiology or related life sciences as approved by the State Department of Public Health.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, perform, and report technical examinations in bacteriology, parasitology, serology, virology and mycology to obtain data on disease presence and sources.

Skills

Bacteriology

Parasitology

Serology

Virology

Mycology

Lab safety

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in medical/public health microbiology

Job description

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended. This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates will be merged onto the existing list according to examination score.

DESCRIPTION

ALAMEDA COUNTY HEALTH

Alameda County Health is the local government agency that promotes and protects the health and well‑being of all who live, work, learn, and play in Alameda County. We coordinate services and cultivate partnerships with community organizations and providers to help ensure access, organize, and deliver health care and services to people with Medi‑Cal and without insurance, support resilient communities, and improve health for all. We focus on health equity by developing programs and systemic solutions that reduce disparities for the people and communities we serve.

Alameda County Health’s departments and programs focus on services and support that provide care for the whole person.

The Behavioral Health Department provides mental health and substance use services for people with Medi‑Cal and without insurance and supports people along their path to wellness, recovery, and resilience.

The Environmental Health Department works to keep our air, water, and food safe; it regulates, protects, and promotes the health of everyone in Alameda County by enforcing environmental health codes to reduce exposure to toxins and diseases.

The Public Health Department focuses on community and population‑level health, preventing and addressing root causes of health inequity across a range of communicable and chronic diseases.

Alameda County Health also provides services through Housing and Homelessness Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency, HealthPAC, and Healthy Schools and Communities.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, to prepare, perform, and report on technical examination involving the fields of bacteriology, parasitology, serology, virology, mycology, and clinical laboratory examinations in order to obtain scientific data which may be used to ascertain the presence, progress, and source of disease; and to do related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in medical or public health microbiology, or one of the related life sciences as may be determined by the State Department of Public Health.
• The equivalent of six months of field experience in a public health laboratory or the equivalent of one year in a clinical or hospital laboratory approved for training in Public Health Microbiology by the State Department of Public Health.
• Possession of a valid certificate as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the State Department of Public Health.
• NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• The fundamentals of bacteriology, parasitology, serology, mycology, virology, and other microbiological principles.
• Chemical principles of the examination of body fluid, food, and water.
• Public health laboratory procedures and techniques.
• Common causes of disease and the methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases.
• Laboratory equipment and its care.
• Perform public health laboratory tests.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others.
• Observe safety precautions and procedures.
• Keep records and make reports.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

The EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS: We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

ALAMEDA County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

Deadline for Filing: 5:00:00PM, Thursday, November 19, 2026

Review of Minimum Qualifications: November 30, 2026

Departmental Hiring Interviews: December 2026

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

Reasonable Accommodation

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement no later than the recruitment filing deadline. If this is a continuous open recruitment without a filing deadline, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement within ten (10) business days of submitting your application. Unless your disability is readily apparent, Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

BENEFITS

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1st United Credit Union

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.