Shasta County: Public Health Microbiologist III

Shasta County PHL

Job Title: Public Health Microbiologist III

Department: Health & Human Services Agency - Public Health

Posted On: April 21, 2026

Application Deadline: May 12, 2026

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general direction of the Public Health Laboratory Director (Lab Director), plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day operations of the Public Health Laboratory, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-accredited laboratory performing high complexity testing in compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ‘88); and related duties as assigned. This position fulfills the CLIA ‘88 requirement for a Technical Supervisor for testing in a high complexity laboratory.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Public Health Microbiologist III position differs from the Public Health Microbiologist I and II in that the incumbent is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, ensuring it complies with state and federal regulations regarding testing procedures, and supervising laboratory personnel. The Public Health Microbiologist III position differs from the Lab Director in that the Lab Director position must review and approve laboratory policies, procedures, and quality assurance practices to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Implements and oversees multiple county public health laboratory services and activities; reviews, recommends and implements policy and procedural changes; analyzes statistical and fiscal data and operational problems to develop operating procedures for laboratory programs and functions; ensures that the physical plant and environmental conditions of the laboratory are appropriate for the testing performed; provides a safe environment in which employees are protected from physical, chemical and biological hazards; ensures that verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method; ensures that the laboratory personnel are performing the test methods as required for accurate and reliable results; ensures that proficiency testing samples are tested as required, that the results are returned within the time frames established by the proficiency testing program, and that all proficiency testing reports are reviewed by the Lab Director to evaluate the laboratory’s performance and to identify any problems that require corrective actions; implements an approved corrective action plan when any proficiency testing result is found to be unacceptable or unsatisfactory, or when a deficiency is noted by the staff at the California Department of Health Services, and notifies the Public Health Branch Director and Health Officer of the deficiency; ensures quality control and quality assurance programs are established and maintained; ensures that reports of test results include pertinent information required for interpretation; ensures that consultation is available to the laboratory’s clients on matters relating to the quality of the test results reported and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions; consults with and acts as a reference for physicians, clinical laboratories, and other divisions of Shasta County HHSA-Public Health Branch; provides training and consultation to local clinical laboratories in handling of potential bioterrorist agents; supervises, motivates, and assists laboratory staff in resolving complex and/or technical problems; assists in preparing annual laboratory budget and operates within budgetary constraints; identifies potential funding sources and prepares proposals for contracts and grants; recommends laboratory services and fees in consultation with the Lab Director and other appropriate department staff; oversees inventory control, fiscal controls, and preventive maintenance; performs laboratory testing; works collaboratively with other department programs to provide laboratory services to all divisions as necessary; and performs other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Four (4) years of increasingly more responsible work comparable to a Public Health Microbiologist II with Shasta County AND demonstrated ability to meet the core competencies for this position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must meet the current Technical Supervisor qualification requirements of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (as of August, 1996, these requirements were listed in: Final Rule 42 CFR Subpart M-Personnel for High Complexity testing. §493.1449, October 1, 2011)

Possession of a valid California Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

Do you possess four (4) years of increasingly more responsible work comparable to a Public Health Microbiologist II with Shasta County? Yes / No If “Yes,” please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If “No,” type N/A.

Do you have possession of a valid California Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Service? Yes / No If “Yes,” please provide your certificate number. If “No,” type N/A.

Please click here to view the job posting and apply. Public Health Microbiologist III