PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST SUPERVISOR

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 86,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

In-office environment

Job summary

State of California, California Department of Public Health, is seeking a Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor to oversee laboratory staff and scientific investigations in respiratory and gastroenteric diseases. The role includes supervising PHM I/II and other researchers, guiding diagnostic and surveillance studies, and ensuring quality assurance in a CLIA-regulated lab.

Responsibilities include budgeting, staff development, and coordinating with other agencies.

Qualifications

• Public health laboratory leadership experience in virology or related field.
• Hands-on experience with high complexity laboratory techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise PHM I, II, Specialists, and other scientific staff.
• Oversee budgeting, program planning, and recruitment for research projects.
• Coordinate with state/federal agencies and publish findings when required.

Skills

Public Health Leadership

Laboratory supervision

PCR/detection methods

Communication skills

Job description

Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor

$7,679.00 - $11,099.00 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: 10/8/2026

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by supervising work in the field of infectious diseases for the detection of influenza, enterovirus, adenovirus, SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, rotavirus and other respiratory and gastroenteric viruses using real-time PCR, genetic sequencing, and cell culture. The Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) Supervisor is responsible for the supervision of PHM I, II, and Specialists and Research Scientist, Microbiologists, Research Associates, and other scientific staff.

The PHM Supervisor is a Unit Supervisor within the Respiratory and Gastroenteric Diseases Section. Duties include providing day-to-day administrative guidance and direction to subordinates. This includes planning, organizing, and directing tasks related to the current scientific studies or public health investigations (diagnostic or surveillance) of broad scientific scope and complexity. The PHM Supervisor will be expected to make independent decisions and serve as a consultant to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in the field of respiratory and gastroenteric diseases. The administrative duties of the PHM Supervisor will include budgeting and program planning for scientific research projects and investigations, recruitment, training, and supervising appropriate research personnel and other lower-level staff. The PHM Supervisor may conduct highly specialized phases of a major scientific project or investigation that would require coordination with professional staff from other State, local, or Federal agencies and publish or present such scientific research or investigations to other public health experts and the community.

Responsibilities also include recruitment, placement, and performance evaluation of personnel; organizing, analyzing, and reviewing testing results; development and evaluation of protocols; and quality assurance and quality control. The PHM Supervisor will act as a CLIA Technical and General Supervisor as part of our quality assurance and quality control. The PHM Supervisor oversees work with potentially infectious materials in a biosafety level 2 or 3 laboratory. Use of appropriate biosafety precautions, including personal protective equipment required as necessary, as well as standing or sitting for long periods of time in a laboratory environment.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Research Scientist Supervisor II of the Respiratory and Gastroenteric Diseases Section (RGDS) within the VRDL Branch.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

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

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

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST SUPERVISOR

PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST SUPERVISOR $7,679.00 - $11,099.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

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 for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The Viral and Rickettsial Disease Laboratory (VRDL) Program is one of the oldest and largest state public health virology laboratories in the United States. As a CLIA-certified state public health laboratory performing high complexity testing, it serves as the reference laboratory for local public health laboratories and other clients, provides primary testing for some local public health departments that do not have laboratories, and conducts research to advance public health diagnostics and science. The VRDL is an advanced reference laboratory for the federal Laboratory Response Network and coordinates several state laboratory testing networks including the Respiratory Laboratory Network and the Measles Laboratory Network. VRDL provides laboratory testing, technical consultation and support, training and assistance, and research required for the diagnosis, investigation, and control of viral and rickettsial diseases of public health significance.

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

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678) and/or Resume, including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

Will also consider Temporary Authorization Utilization (TAU) appointments- Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications for the classification but do not currently have eligibility on an employment certification list by having taken and passed an examination may apply as a TAU. TAU appointments are limited to a duration of 9 months within a 12 consecutive month period. In order for a TAU appointment to become permanent, individuals must take and pass the related examination, and thereby become eligible from a certification list, within 9 months of TAU appointment. Individuals who successfully obtain eligibility prior to the expiration of the TAU appointment will not be required to re-compete in a competitive process for permanent appointment to that position.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Temporary Appointments may be considered if conditions warrant. Temporary Appointments may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. Temporary Appointments may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent appointment.

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.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Public health laboratory experience in a leadership role, preferably in virology with knowledge of conventional and cutting-edge technology for diagnostic detection of viruses and other pathogens of public health significance.
• 5 years of hands-on laboratory experience with increasing responsibility over time.
• Experience training laboratory staff in highly complex laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Ability to manage a complex portfolio of public health laboratory services for multiple clients.
• Experience in efficient delivery of reliable laboratory services.
• Working knowledge of laboratory quality management systems such as CLIA, and laboratory safety such as chemical hygiene and biosafety.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Professional demeanor and excellent interpersonal skills

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

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]

Human Resources Contact funds: please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s