PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I (MICROBIOLOGY)

State of California; California; On-site; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California’s Department of Public Health is seeking a Public Health Laboratory Technician I (Microbiology) to support routine laboratory testing for foodborne and waterborne diseases.

Working under the Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor, you will receive and test environmental samples, prepare media and reagents, perform quality control, and assist in conducting tests as part of the FWDS team. In office work location with potential telework options.

Qualifications

• Experience assisting routine laboratory tests and specimen processing.
• Familiarity with quality control procedures in a lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Receives and tests environment samples and performs routine laboratory tests.
• Prepares media and reagents for tests and conducts quality control.
• Assists in performing all tests under supervision.
• Works under the supervision of the Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor.

Skills

Laboratory procedures

Public health testing

Job description

Laboratory Support and Testing Technician

Department of Public Health

JC-535022

PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I (MICROBIOLOGY)

$4,181.00 - $5,231.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/9/2026

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by providing public health laboratory testing for the Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Section (FWDS). The Public Health Laboratory Technician (PHLT) I, acting as the Laboratory Support and Testing Technician, assists with routine laboratory tests by receiving and testing environment samples; processing and preparing specimens; prepares complicated media and reagents for specific tests; performs quality control procedures on equipment, media, and reagents; and assists in the performance of all tests.

The incumbent works under general supervision of the Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) Supervisor of the Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Detection Unit within the FWDS.

In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Working Conditions

Telework Information

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Minimum Requirements

• PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I (MICROBIOLOGY)

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

In Office

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The Microbial Diseases Laboratory (MDL) provides reference, diagnostic, and applied research activities for detecting, investigating, controlling, and preventing bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseasesinhumans, food, water, and other environmental sources.

*The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience preparing laboratory solutions using analytical balances and volumetric glassware
• Experience using computer software such as Microsoft Excel or Word

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources Division
[phone]
[e-mail]

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
[phone]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.