Public Health Microbiologist II

County of Monterey; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Job summary

County of Monterey is seeking a Public Health Microbiologist II for the Public Health Laboratory. This full-time position supports testing services to protect the community from infectious diseases and harmful microbes in food and water.

A signing bonus up to $10,000 is offered for eligible hires. Work includes laboratory examinations, data analysis, and reporting, with a requirement for a California Public Health Microbiologist certificate and flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• Six months to a year performing a full range of laboratory testing duties in a Public Health laboratory.
• Able to analyze and interpret laboratory data and keep clear records.
• Able to perform qualitative examinations of body fluids and related samples.

Responsibilities

• Make laboratory examinations and control tests (hematological, chemical, bacteriological, parasitological).
• Analyze and interpret test results; prepare reports of findings.
• Keep records and prepare clear written reports on examinations performed.

Skills

Operate laboratory equipment

Keep records and reports

Interpret test results

Team collaboration

Job description

A Drug-Free Workplace

Invites your interest for the position of

Public Health Microbiologist II

$7,130 – $9,739 per Month

Final Filing Date: 9/6/2026

Exam # 26/50C22/06PH

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Monterey County Health Department’s Public Health Bureau is seeking to fill a full-time Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) IIposition in their Public Health Laboratory. The Public Health Laboratory is part of the Monterey County Health Department (MCHD) which holds a nationally recognized accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board. The laboratory provides testing services to support MCHD Communicable Disease and Tuberculosis Units, Clinics, Environmental Health, and local hospitals and health care providers in protecting the community from infectious diseases and harmful microbes in food and water.

As of 9/8/2023, the Health Department offers up to a $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process will be used to fill current and future vacancies, both regular and temporary, as they arise.

• Makes laboratory examinations and control tests including hematological, chemical, bacteriological, and parasitological test to determine the absence of presence in the culture of disease or abnormal conditions.
• Analyzes and interprets laboratory data; keeps records of results of tests; makes reports of findings.
• Makes qualitative examinations of blood, urine and other body fluids.

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website: Public Health Microbiologist II

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Working Knowledge of:

• Bacteriological, serological, mycological, parasitological, and other microbiological principles, used in the laboratory for detection and identification of disease agents.
• Chemical principles and techniques used in the examination of body fluids, foods, dairy products, water and air.
• Proper laboratory safety precautions and procedures.

Some Knowledge of:

• Methods of transmissions, causes, and control of communicable diseases.

Skill and Ability to:

• Operate and care for laboratory equipment.
• Perform a variety of laboratory tests and examinations.
• Keep records and prepare clear and concise written reports on examinations performed.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with those contacted through the course of work.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience:

• Six months to a year of experience performing a full range of laboratory testing duties in a Public Health laboratory comparable to the class of Public Health Microbiologist I with Monterey County.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
• Pursuant to Title 17, Section 1079 of the California Administrative Code, possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California State Health Department is required for positions in this class.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Bargaining Unit H Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCEDURES:

by the final filing date of Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST)

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. Acomplete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by thefinal filingdeadline will not be considered.Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated.Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Monterey County Health Department

Attn: Human Resources Division

1270 Natividad Road

Salinas, CA 93906.

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES:

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Click Here to View the Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing deadline of Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST) to [e-mail]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Priscilla Herrera, Human Resources Analyst II, at [phone] or [e-mail].