CDPH - Specimen Laboratory Assistant (SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT)

California Department of Public Health

Job Title: Specimen Laboratory Assistant (SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT)

Work Location: Contra Costa County

Job Code: JC-502188

Application deadline: 01/09/2026

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is currently hiring a Specimen Laboratory Assistant (Senior Laboratory Assistant) within our Center for Laboratory Sciences’ (CLS) Office of the State Public Health Laboratory Director (OSPHLD).

CLS is based on the CDPH Richmond Campus which employs more than 1,200 people. The Richmond Campus is a flat, 29-acre property located in Richmond's Marina Bay. The CLS serves to protect and promote the health of all Californians through innovative and collaborative infectious disease and environmental testing, including provision of investigation and surveillance activities which form the basis of disease response and prevention. The CLS works to bring together emerging scientific capabilities in testing, analytics, and communications reflecting a new level of coordination, support, and leadership for the public health laboratory system at the state, local and national level. In addition, the Center relies on a continuous improvement infrastructure as a core value in developing solutions that emphasize a culture of quality and performance through performance management success.

The deadline to apply is January 9, 2026, at 11:59PM PT. Please reach out to Apply@cdph.ca.gov with any questions.

Responsibilities:

• Process incoming specimens, including the more complex and hazardous specimens; maintain inventories of containers and prepare specimen kits; prepare new specimen and culture containers for shipping; and maintain log of received and delivered specimens and samples

• Enter data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); extract data when necessary; and record, investigate, and correct errors

• Assist with the training and cross-training of lower-level Laboratory Assistants in the areas of specimen receiving, preparing routine media, and laboratory safety

• Collect contaminated glassware and medical waste (including select agent chemical and biological materials) from laboratories to be sterilized; clean biologically and chemically contaminated instruments and glassware; and deliver prepared materials to the laboratories

• Manipulate laboratory materials, instruments, and glassware with both hands to successfully and consistently clean, prepare, and transport up to 25 pounds of waste materials, and perform quality control procedures on equipment and instruments

• Prepare routine and complex media; maintain inventories of media components and chemicals, including reading data from finely divided rulings on pipettes, sight tubes, graduated glassware, and measuring instruments, as well as fine print on small labels and/or color-coded data that includes subtle color differences of media and reagents

• Prepare requisitions to replenish depleted stock; monitor the preventative maintenance of media preparation equipment and instruments; and operate and calibrate equipment and instruments, such as pH meters, balances, dispensers, etc.

• Deliver media and reagents to the laboratories; resolve problems related to specimen processing and delivery, media preparation, glassware, and decontamination; and fill orders for local laboratories.

• Prepare equipment, glassware, and surgical instruments for sterilization in drying ovens and autoclaves.

• Act as messenger in delivering glassware and supplies to assigned laboratory areas, and prepare solutions for cleaning laboratory equipment and disinfectant solutions.

At 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.

New to State Service? The following steps will navigate you through the application process:

1. Create a CalCareer account by going to https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Login.aspx.

2. Confirm that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position you are wanting to apply for. A link to view minimum qualifications is listed on each job posting.

3. After confirming that you meet the minimum qualifications, take, and pass the corresponding examination. Most exams are available online and can be found on CalCareers under the Exam/Assessment Search tab. Please note, while candidates are welcome to apply to positions without taking the examination, candidates must pass the examination prior to appointment. Please review the minimum qualifications thoroughly, prior to beginning the examination.

4. Apply! Follow all directions and be sure to submit all requested documentation.
   

For more details on how to apply click here - Specimen Laboratory Assistant (SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT)