VENTURA COUNTY HEALTH CARE AGENCY INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR:
 
Microbiologist I/II/III
1220HCA-08AA (MR)
An Equal Opportunity Employer
SALARY RANGE (approximate)
$20.28 - $32.33 Hour $3,515.11 - $5,604.68 Monthly $42,181.30 - $67,256.10 Annually
This posting is for the Ventura County Health Care Agency; vacancy location is Oxnard.

POSITION INFORMATION
Under the general supervision of the Public Health Laboratory Director, 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.

APPROXIMATE SALARY:

Microbiologist I: $20.27 - $28.36 per hour
Microbiologist II: $21.71 - $30.48 per hour
Microbiologist III: $23.05 - $32.33 per hour

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Possible educational incentive of 5% based on completion of Masters or PhD degree.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Possible Bilingual incentive depending on the applicable MOA and the needs of the department.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency/Public Health

Microbiologist I/II and 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, temporary, fixed-term, and extra-help vacancies for this position within the Ventura County Health Care Agency, Public Health Department.

OPENING DATE: January 1, 2008
CLOSING DATE: Continuous
Examples Of Duties: 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.
• Performs quality control checks and maintains quality control charts and inventory control as required.
• Analyzes and interprets data, maintains records under required standards, and prepares oral and written reports.
• 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.
• May assist with training and orientation of new employees and trainees; helps coordinate the work of support technicians to address workload needs.
• Engages in continuing education and stays current with technical changes in the fields of microbiology and Public Health.
TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree with a major in bacteriology or microbiology.

AND

Microbiologist I
Possession of, or eligibility to obtain, Certification as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the State of California, required.

Certification typically requires six (6) months training as a Public Health Microbiologist Trainee. Applicants lacking certification as a Public Health Microbiologist are encouraged to apply if they have been approved by the State as Trainees. Applicants holding licensure as Clinical Laboratory Scientists may qualify for significant reductions in the time needed to fulfill the Trainee requirements for certification. Successful completion of training and the certification examination is required within eighteen (18) months of employment as a condition of continued employment.

Microbiologist II
Certification as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the State of California, and six (6) months experience as a Public Health Microbiologist are required.

Microbiologist III
Certification as a Public Health Microbiologist issued by the State of California, and one (1) year experience as a Public Health Microbiologist are required.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Successful applicants placed on a list are subject to a background check, fingerprinting, and clearance of credentials by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a condition of employment.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application to determine eligibility. Using “See Resume” or “Text Resume” instead of adequately completing all sections of the application will result in the application being removed from further consideration.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and can be closed at any time. Your application must be received by the County of Ventura Health Care Agency, Human Resources Division in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date the recruitment is closed.

To apply on-line refer to web site: www.ventura.org/hr. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials. Our address is: County of Ventura Health Care Agency, Human Resources Division, 2323 Knoll Dr., Ste. 100, Ventura, CA 93003. We do not accept resumes in lieu of our application form, nor do we accept any application materials via email.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – 100%: An Application Evaluation will be conducted. A score will be assigned to each application based on established criteria. Such score will be considered as the final score for placement on the eligible list.

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

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, credit, criminal background information and driving record.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact JoAnn Senger by e-mail at joann.senger@ventura.org or by phone (805) 677-5153.