Microbiologist I/II (2463) - Department of Public Health

Career Opportunity

Microbiologist I/II (2463) - Department of Public Health

Recruitment: REF43647E

Published: September 23, 2024

Contact:

Diane Zhou - diane.zhou@sfdph.org

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal Learn More

Department: Public Health
Job class: 2463-Microbiologist I/II
Salary range: $97,786.00 - $170,664.00
Role type: Permanent Civil Service What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time
Exam type: Position Based Test
Rule: Rule of 3 What does this mean?
List type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

About:

9/9/2024 - Job announcement amended to reflect the duties & minimum qualifications of both levels of the Microbiologist classification.

The Department of Public Health prioritizes equitable and inclusive access to quality healthcare for its community and values the importance of diversity in its workforce. All employees at the Department of Public Health work to advance equity, inclusion, and diversity with a specific lens and focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, disability, and immigration status. 

Application Opening – Thursday, August 8, 2024
Application Deadline – Application filing will close on or after Friday, August 23, 2024.
Salary*: $97,786 - $170,664 Annually
- Steps 1-8 are for Microbiologist Level Is. Steps 8-13 are for Microbiologist Level IIs.
Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service
Recruitment ID: PBT-2463-49986

The Mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans. SFDPH strives to achieve its mission through the work of multiple divisions - the San Francisco Health Network, Population Health, Behavioral Health Services, and Administration.

Role description

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH), Disease and Prevention Control Department is accepting applications in class 2463 Microbiologist I/II to work for the San Francisco Public Health Laboratories. This class utilizes the deep class concept and encompasses multiple levels of responsibility. Note that the roles listed below are cumulative. For example, Level II incumbents may be directed to perform any of the duties described in Level I.

The two levels are summarized below:

Level I - Under general supervision, conducts bacteriologic, parasitologic, serologic and related laboratory tests and examinations.
Level II - Under direction, performs responsible laboratory work in the difficult phases of bacteriologic, parasitologic, serologic and related laboratory tests and examinations; supervises subordinate personnel.

The essential functions of the role include, but are not limited to the following:

Microbiologist I duties:

Performs qualitative and quantitative diagnostic sample analysis on human specimens, food sources and products, or environmental samples, utilizing serologic, molecular, agglutination and biochemical testing methods for the detection of bacterial, parasitic or viral infections and exposures;
Monitors and evaluates conditions of specimen and test materials for adherence to laboratory procedures and best practices;
Prepares specimens and performs microscopy in the examination of slides of smears, cultures and concentrates of acid-fast bacilli. Perform drug-susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other organisms;
Tabulates and maintains accurate records of laboratory tests and submits detailed paper or electronic reports to appropriate submitters. Maintain organizational policy of patient confidentiality;
Maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and reagents including inspection and documentation of received shipments;
Performs routine equipment maintenance and document records including daily checks, calibration, quality controls, and troubleshooting measures;
Maintains professional communication with technical support, coworkers, and internal and external clients including, patients, physicians, and other clinical laboratory personnel;
Participate in professional development and education opportunities if available;
Performs proficiency testing in accordance to federal regulation;
The Microbiologist I also performs other related duties as assigned.

Microbiologist II duties:

Performs qualitative and quantitative Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide flocculation tests and Kolmer complement fixation tests on blood samples for the detection of syphilis and other diseases; groups and labels specimens and records test results on appropriate forms.
Performs cultural examinations for gonococcal infections on cultures received from clinics or institutions.
Performs the direct or the formalin-ether sedimentation tests on body wastes in order to determine the presence of various parasites; examines animal remains for presence of rabies.
Employs bacteriological examination of body wastes in order to determine the presence of exterior diseases; receives and examines body fluids, wastes and pathological material by means of smear tests and cultural examinations in order to determine the presence of tubercle bacilli; prepares and examines vaginal in rape cases.
Oversees the setting up and maintenance of laboratory equipment, preparation of solutions, reagents and other media, maintenance of accurate and detailed laboratory records, and the preparation of and submission of reports.
The Microbiologist II also performs other related duties as assigned.

Note that the duties listed above are cumulative. For example, Level II incumbents may be directed to perform any of the duties described in Level I.

How to qualify

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (required) :

All Levels

Education: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in medical or public, health bacteriology or microbiology.

Level I

License and Certification: A valid certificate as a public health microbiologist issued by the CA state board of health.

Level II

Experience: Two (2) years of experience as a microbiologist; AND
License and Certification: A valid certificate as a public health microbiologist issued by the CA state board of health.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

One-year fulltime employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week).

Selection Procedures:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following.

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) (Weight: Qualifying): Candidates will be required to complete an MQSQ as part of the employment application. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

Assessment Component
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in Supplemental Questionnaire exam that is designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and abilities in job related areas which may include but not be limited to:

Training and Experience Evaluation Questionnaire (T&E) (Weight: 100%): The T&E will be sent to those qualified candidates who demonstrate to meet the minimum qualifications. Candidates will be required to submit the completed T&E in the time frame indicated and responses on the T&E cannot be changed once submitted. A passing score must be achieved on the T&E in order to be placed/ranked on the Eligible List. Candidates will be placed in rank order according to their final score on the T&E. After the confidential eligible list/score report is adopted, the department may administer additional selection procedures to make a final hiring decision. All relevant experience, education and/or training must be included in the application to be reviewed during the scoring process.

Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

Certification
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be the Rule of three Scores.

Eligible List/Score Report:
Once you pass the exam, you will be placed onto an eligible list and given a score and a rank. For more information, visit https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

What else should I know?

How to apply:
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.

Our e-mail communications may come from more than one department so please make sure your email is set to accept messages from all of us at this link.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment therefore, it is their responsibility to contact the Analyst if they update their email address.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

This is a Position Based Test (PBT) administered in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A.

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/. The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

DPH Health Critical Requirements and Information: Please review the following policies regarding DPH employment requirements that safeguard yourself and others.

Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Diane Zhou at diane.zhou@sfdph.org or 628-271-6703 .

We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. The first message will ask you to opt in to text messaging.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.