Public Health Microbiologist

Ventura County; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merit increases

Educational incentive

Bilingual incentive

Health plans

Deferred compensation

Pension plan

13 paid holidays

Job summary

Ventura County Public Health Laboratory is seeking a Microbiologist at the entry to advanced journey level to support medical, communicable disease, and environmental health programs. The role covers bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, and more, with opportunities for leadership at higher levels.

The department offers merit and educational incentives, bilingual pay, health plans, and a defined pension.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in microbiology or closely related science.
• Certification as Public Health Microbiologist by the California CDPH LFD.
• Ability to perform diagnostic tests in microbiology and public health disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Performs testing of specimens to detect disease indicators or agents.
• Performs and interprets exams on food, water, and environmental samples.
• Analyzes data, maintains records, and prepares reports.
• Keeps up to date with technical changes in microbiology and public health.
• Performs quality control and maintains QC charts.
• Trains staff and provides consultation on specimen collection and transport.

Skills

Public health microbiology

Laboratory testing

Quality control

Data recording

Written reports

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology

Public Health Microbiologist certification

Job description

THE DEPARTMENT

Join Ventura County Public Health Laboratory and be a part of a dedicated team making a meaningful impact on community health. We support vital public health programs, environmental health and animal regulation. We pride ourselves on excellence in diagnostic testing, consultation, and assistance. Our lab provides highly specialized diagnostic testing for serious infectious diseases, including rabies, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Additionally, we provide a range of environmental testing services to ensure safe water for drinking and recreation. Here, you'll collaborate with passionate professionals and contribute to vital public health initiatives that enhance the well‑being of our diverse community. Your skills and expertise are vital in our mission to safeguard public health. Join us and help make a difference today!

THE POSITION

Under immediate (I), general (II) supervision, or direction (III) of the Public Health Laboratory Director, the Microbiologist conducts and interprets tests in the specialties of Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Diagnostic Immunology, Chemistry, and Toxicology in support of medical, communicable disease, and environmental health programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Microbiologist I is the entry level in this series. Incumbents in this classification may be in training and, under supervision, are responsible for providing professional level services in the area of microbiology.

Microbiologist II is the journey level of the series. Incumbents are responsible for providing professional level services and experience in the area of microbiology.

Microbiologist III is the advanced journey level of the series and is distinguished by professional duties that are more complex and technical, and may include technical lead supervision.

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, which include:

• Merit Increases- New employees are eligible for an initial 5% merit increase within the pay range upon completion of at least 1,040 hours (approximately 6 months) assuming work meets satisfactory standards. Subsequent merit increases within the pay range will be upon completion of each additional 2,080 hours (approximately one year) from the initial merit increase.
• Educational Incentive-Incumbents may be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.
• Bilingual Incentive -Based on agency need, proficiency levels by exam are $0.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Health Plans:Biweekly County contribution towards medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
• Deferred Compensation -Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis.
• Pension Plan -Participation in the County's defined benefit pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Holidays -13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• To learn more about the benefits, please click on the following link: SEIU MOA 2025-2029

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY

Health Care Agency - Public Health

APPROXIMATE SALARIES

Microbiologist I: $35.87 - $50.16 Hourly

Microbiologist II: $38.40 - $53.92 Hourly

Microbiologist III: $40.75 - $57.16 Hourly

Microbiologist I/II/III are represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and are eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed‑term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Health Care Agency. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: 9/11/26

CLOSING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Performs testing of specimens to detect disease indicators or agents; interprets results from standardized procedures developed in microbiology, serology, chemistry, and molecular biology;
• Performs and interprets physical, chemical, and microbiological exams on food, water, and other material important to environmental sanitation;
• Analyzes and interprets data, maintains records under required standards, and prepares oral and written reports;
• Engages in continuing education and stays current with technical changes in the fields of microbiology and Public Health;
• Performs quality control checks and maintains quality control charts and inventory control as required;
• Writes and revises procedures for the pre‑analytic, analytic, and post‑analytic phases of testing for specimens that are submitted to the Public Health Laboratory;
• Occasionally conducts training in‑service programs in various areas of microbiological concern to the Public Health Department;
• Provides consultation to the medical community regarding proper specimen selection, collection, and transport for certain disease investigations; occasionally prepares specimens and infectious material for shipment to other facilities for specialized testing;
• Supports the laboratory's preventive maintenance and repair program;
• Prepares specimens and performs stains for rabies and malaria causative agents;
• Compounds reagents, materials, and media for laboratory tests if required; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

In addition to the duties listed above, the Microbiologist II duties may include:

• May assist with training and orientation of new employees and trainees; helps coordinate the work of support technicians to address workload needs;
• Implements validation procedures for the establishment of new testing procedures or processes; assists the Laboratory staff with the design of validation procedures;
• Gathers information related to the upkeep of equipment and assists with ensuring the laboratory's equipment is properly maintained;

In addition to the duties listed above, the Microbiologist III duties may include:

• Provides lead technical supervision over laboratory staff; assists with training and orientation of new employees and trainees; and helps coordinate the work of support technicians to address workload needs;
• Designs validation procedures and implements validation protocols for new laboratory tests; facilitates the collection, compilation and interpretation of validation data;
• Monitors the Laboratory's ongoing quality control and quality assurance programs; promotes the implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement standards as developed by the Department; performs quality control checks and maintains quality control charts and inventory control as required;
• Supervises the laboratory's preventive maintenance and repair program;
• Supervises the laboratory's media and reagent preparation program;
• In the absence of the Laboratory Director, provides staff leadership, guidance, and connection to administrative processes; and,

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

Microbiologist I/II/III

Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology, or closely related science field.

AND

Microbiologist I

Approval by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services Division as a Public Health Microbiologist Trainee is required.

Microbiologist II

Certification as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services Division.

Microbiologist III

Certification as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services Division AND one (1) year of experience as a Public Health Microbiologist.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Microbiologist I

Successful completion of training and the certification examination is required within eighteen (18) months of employment as a condition of continued employment.

Please Note: Certification typically requires six (6) months training as a Public Health Microbiologist Trainee. Applicants holding licensure as Clinical Laboratory Scientists may qualify for significant reductions in the time needed to fulfill the Trainee requirements for certification.

Microbiologist II/III

Possession of a Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services Division.

Note: Verification of the required Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology, or a related science field is required: Submit your college degree or transcripts from an accredited college or university which shows your name, and degree conferred to [e-mail] within three days of your application being submitted.

If you need additional time to submit this documentation, contact the analyst conducting the recruitment for an extension.

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency. If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change (e.g., a marriage certificate).

DESIRED:

Microbiologist I

• Previous work experience in a Public Health Laboratory
• Previous work experience with molecular PCR testing
• Previous work experience with water coliform testing

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Microbiologist I

Knowledge of: principles, techniques, equipment, and terminology used in a public health laboratory during the performance of tests in the specialties of Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Virology, Diagnostic Immunology, Chemistry, and Toxicology; laboratory safety precautions and hazard awareness; quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement practices; current trends and developments in microbiology; infectious disease transmission and control methods; laws and regulations applicable to public health laboratories.

Ability to: perform diagnostic laboratory tests on human, animal, and environmental samples with speed, accuracy, and correct interpretation; respond to analytical problems with correct assessments and apply appropriate corrective actions; keep accurate records and prepare clear, concise reports; establish and maintain cooperative inter‑ and intra‑agency working relationships with coworkers, managers, and supervisors; manipulate laboratory equipment in order to hold, twist, and shake, samples during analysis; distinguish measuring increments of millimeter and milliliter and correctly determine qualities of color, shape, size, and number; properly operate standard laboratory equipment, including microscopes, centrifuges, plate washers, autoclaves, and computers.

Microbiologist II

Ability to: review and verify the work of others.

Microbiologist III only

Knowledge of: the methods, concepts, and techniques of effective supervision.

Ability to: review, evaluate, plan, organize, and verify the work of others; review established and develop new procedures for the efficient and effective operation of a public health laboratory.

Supplemental Information: Work is generally performed in a laboratory setting using standard laboratory equipment and supplies.

FINAL FILING DATE

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - Pass/Fail:

An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether or not each applicant possesses the required licensure and/or certification for this recruitment. Those candidates who do will be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:

A thorough pre‑employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Nathan Wood by e‑mail at [e-mail] or by telephone at [phone].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura 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.