Microbiology Certification Officer (Microbiologist 3)

Environmental Conservation; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Conservation in Anchorage, Alaska seeks an experienced microbiology professional to lead statewide laboratory certification programs and conduct on-site audits across the state. You will ensure accurate testing, guide compliance with state and federal regulations, and drive quality improvements in environmental health programs.

The role requires a BS in microbiology or related field and 2 years of journey-level microbiology experience, with travel within Alaska and potential

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, medical technology, a laboratory science, a biological science, or chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Two years of journey professional experience performing microbiological testing as a Microbiologist 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.
• Immunization against infectious diseases may be required for some positions.
• Cover letter describing microbiological methods used in a professional setting is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a statewide program certifying drinking water laboratories to ensure accurate, reliable microbiological testing and protect public health in Alaska.
• Conduct on-site audits of laboratories throughout Alaska and provide expert guidance to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Improve testing methods, accuracy, and efficiency by partnering with lab managers and technical staff on quality assurance and quality control.
• Develop and interpret certification criteria, coordinate with EPA and state partners, and contribute technical expertise to drinking water, dairy, and cannabis laboratory oversight.
• Apply microbiology and laboratory quality expertise across multiple industries while supporting training, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in Alaska’s environmental health programs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Compliance inspection

Quality management

Accountability

Technical competence

Education

Bachelor of Science in microbiology or 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:

Protect Public Health Across Alaska:

Lead a statewide program certifying drinking water laboratories to ensure accurate, reliable microbiological testing and protect the health and safety of Alaskans.

Serve as a Technical Expert and Field Auditor:

Conduct on-site audits of laboratories throughout Alaska, evaluate testing practices, and provide expert guidance to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Drive Laboratory Quality and Continuous Improvement:

Partner with laboratory managers and technical staff to identify deficiencies, strengthen quality assurance and quality control, and improve testing methods, accuracy, and efficiency.

Shape Statewide Laboratory Standards and Programs:

Develop and interpret certification criteria, coordinate with the EPA and state program partners, and contribute technical expertise to drinking water, dairy, and cannabis laboratory oversight.

Make a Meaningful Impact Through Diverse Scientific Work:

Apply your microbiology and laboratory quality expertise across multiple industries while supporting training, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in Alaska’s environmental health programs.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC’s) mission is to conserve, improve, and protect Alaska’s natural resources and environment to enhance the health, safety, economic, and social well-being of Alaskans. The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) is a collaborative, science-driven team committed to producing accurate, legally defensible data that supports safe food, drinking water, and environmental health statewide. This position plays an important role in maintaining accountability, data quality, regulatory compliance, and public trust in laboratory operations.

The benefits of joining our team:

As a member of the EHL team, you will work alongside dedicated scientific and technical professionals who value collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This position offers opportunities to expand technical expertise in laboratory operations, quality systems, regulatory compliance, data management, and laboratory information systems. Staff are supported through training, cross-functional learning opportunities, and participation in process improvement initiatives that directly impact public and environmental health in Alaska. The work is meaningful, mission-driven, and contributes to protecting communities statewide.

The working environment you can expect:

The Environmental Health Laboratory is located in Anchorage near the U-Med district and provides a professional, team-oriented work environment focused on scientific excellence, data quality, and public service. Daily work includes coordination with laboratory scientists, clients, and regulatory partners in a fast-paced setting that supports statewide environmental and public health testing programs.

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

Attention to Detail:

Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Compliance Inspection:

Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines, or orders

Quality Management:

Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance, quality control, and reliability used to ensure that a project, system, or product fulfills requirements and standards.

Accountability:

Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, for independent daily tasks. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.

Technical Competence:

Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Special Notice:

This position requires frequent travel within the State (approximately one trip monthly), 0-2 nights with travel by commercial planes, small planes or driving a vehicle

This position requires the successful application, acceptance, out of state travel to attend training, and passing to acquire Federal certifications from the EPA and FDA for retention.

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.
• AND
• Two years of journey professional experience performing microbiological testing as a Microbiologist 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.

Special Note:

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

Additional Required Information

A cover letter is required for this position.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Transcripts, unofficial are acceptable as long as institution and URL are listed

Please include a cover letter describing in two to three paragraphs, the microbiological methods you have run in a professional setting

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW

• Three (3) professional references
• Last two (2) performance evaluations. Supervisor letter of recommendation may be used as a substitute for each unavailable evaluation.

COVER LETTER

A cover letter is required as part of your application. In your cover letter, please describe in two to three paragraphs, the microbiological methods you have run in a professional setting.

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