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Public Health Microbiologist Series

Public Health Microbiologist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 24, 1973

Scope

This series specification describes four Public Health Microbiologist classes used in the Department of Health Services.

 

Public Health Microbiologist Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem Code Class Code Class
SW50 7954 Public Health Microbiologist I
SW40 7948 Public Health Microbiologist II
SW36 7940 Public Health Microbiologist Specialist
SW35 7951 Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor

Definition of Series

The Public Health Microbiologist series is responsible for activities concerned with the examination and testing of potentially hazardous biological and environmental materials capable of transmitting disease to man. This series provides reference laboratory services essential to the diagnosis, treatment and control of diseases and to the maintenance and development of technical standards of performance in laboratories throughout the State. In addition, consultation and training of personnel are provided to public and private agencies.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Level of difficulty, variety and complexity of assigned duties, independence of action and decisions, degree of supervision received, nature of public contacts and technical consultations, and�degree of supervisory and administrative responsibility assigned.

Definition of Levels

Public Health Microbiologist I

This is the entry and first journey level. Under direction, performs, interprets, and reports appropriate tests on diagnostic and reference specimens; conducts and reviews quality control procedures; assists in training technical and professional personnel, in developing procedures, in�evaluating work of clinical and public health laboratories, and in preparing data for publication; directs work of laboratory assistants and�technicians; and does other related work.

Public Health Microbiologist II

This is the advanced journey or lead level. Under general direction, provides technical leadership and assists in planning and�direction of the laboratory work of a specified unit; uses specialized techniques, develops and applies complex, nonstandardized analyses, requiring initiative and independent judgment; develops quality assurance procedures; performs functions typical of�a State reference laboratory such as technical consultation to local public health and clinical laboratorians, directors, physicians and officials of other State, local, and private agencies; trains postdoctoral microbiologists, pathologists, and related medical personnel in standardized and specialized microbiological methods and interpretation of test results; plans and conducts evaluations of performance of local public health and clinical laboratory work; assists in preparing data for publication; and does other related work.

Public Health Microbiologist Specialist

This is the technical expert of the series. Under general direction, organizes and performs the more advanced, complex, or innovative analyses requiring independence of action and judgment. With the use of sophisticated laboratory instrumentation and/or advanced techniques, solves unusual scientific problems referred to a reference laboratory, develops innovative methods; originates and evaluates experimental methods; makes interpretive analyses of data�obtained; serves as the expert in his/her specialty area of microbiology (parasitology, mycology, anaerobic bacteriology, immunoserology, food microbiology, environmental microbiology); provides highly technical consultations and expert testimony in the area of expertise; and does other related duties.

Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor

This is the full supervisory level. Under general direction, plans, organizes and directs the activities of a laboratory unit; assists in other administrative duties of the laboratory including budgeting and program planning; coordinates training activities, recruitment, and placement of personnel; gives technical and administrative consultation to other laboratories and service programs; performs microbiological examinations which involve complex, nonstandardized, innovative procedures; develops and evaluates methods for use in other laboratories; organizes and conducts classes or workshops sponsored by the Department or in cooperation with colleges or universities as well as with Federal, State and local agencies; provides expert testimony on analyses conducted in the unit; and does other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

Public Health Microbiologist I

Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist's certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services. (Possession of a Baccalaureate Degree with a major in Medical or Public Health Microbiology or equivalent subjects and six months' training in a public health laboratory or the equivalent are required for certification. Applicants who do not possess the required certificate but who are eligible for the examination for certification will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Public Health Microbiologist II

Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist's certificate issued by the�California State Department of Health Services. (Applicants who do not possess the required certificate but who are eligible for the examination for certification will be admitted to the examination but they must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and Either I One year performing the duties of a Public Health Microbiologist I, Range B, in the Department of Health Services.

Or II

 

Three years of experience performing a wide variety of microbiological (i.e., Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, or Immunology) analyses in a public health or comparable laboratory. [A Master's Degree in Medical Microbiology or Public Health with emphasis in microbiology or allied disciplines (e.g., epidemiology, administration, biostatistics) may be substituted for one year experience.]

Public Health Microbiologist Specialist

Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist's certificate issued by the�California State Department of Health Services. (Applicants who do not possess the required certificate but who are eligible for the examination for certification will be admitted to the examination, but they�must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and Either I Two years performing the duties of a Public Health Microbiologist�II in the State Department of Health Services.

Or II

 

Four years of increasingly responsible experience performing a specialty area of microbiology (i.e., Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, or Immunology) analyses in a public health or comparable laboratory. [A Master's or higher Degree in Medical Microbiology or Public Health with emphasis in microbiology or allied disciplines (e.g., epidemiology, administration, biostatistics) may be substituted for one year of experience.]

Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor

Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist's certificate issued by the�California State Department of Health Services. (Applicants who do not possess the required certificate but who are eligible for the examination for certification will be admitted to the examination but they must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and Either I Two years performing the duties of a Public Health Microbiologist�II in the Department of Health Services.

Or II

 

Four years of experience in microbiology in a public health or comparable laboratory, two years of which must have involved one or a combination of the�following:

 

1. Supervisory experience involving supervision of professional laboratory personnel. or

 

2. Independent research in medical microbiology (i.e., Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology or Immunology). or

 

3. Teaching experience at the level of a full-time instructorship with responsibility for a course in medical microbiology (i.e., Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology or Immunology). or

 

4. Field consultation experience in a medical laboratory discipline.

 

(Possession of a Doctorate in Microbiology or Public Health with emphasis in microbiology or allied disciplines, e.g., epidemiology, administration, biostatistics, may be substituted for the two years of general experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Public Health Microbiologist I

Knowledge of: Bacteriological, virological, mycological, parasitological, serological and other microbiological principles, techniques, equipment, and terminology used in the laboratory for the detection and identification of disease agents; quality control procedures applicable to general field of microbiology; bacteriological principles, techniques, and terminology used in the examination of food and water; principles, techniques and terminology used in immunology; the common causes of disease and methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases; laboratory scientific resource material; laboratory equipment and its care.

 

Ability to: Perform microbiological laboratory tests; do varied and difficult laboratory work; provide technical guidance to assistants; keep records and make reports; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; work cooperatively and effectively with others; observe proper safety precautions and procedures.

Public Health Microbiologist II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the principles and methods of scientific�research and relevant scientific theories, and new, innovative test methodologies.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and develop new or modify existing methods and procedures; plan, direct, and do highly technical, difficult, and complex analyses; prepare technical reports and papers for publication.

Public Health Microbiologist Specialist

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the principles and methods of scientific�research and relevant scientific theories, and new, innovative test methodologies.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and develop new or modify existing methods and procedures; plan, direct, and do highly technical, difficult, and complex analyses; prepare technical reports and papers for publication.

Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the principles, practices and techniques of public health administration; principles of personnel management; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

 

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize, coordinate, and supervise varied complex projects; prepare material for budgets; consult with laboratory personnel and administrators including local health officers, on the problems arising from medical laboratory administration; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Color vision adequate to successfully perform the job.

Class History

Public Health Microbiologist Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
Class Date Established Date Revised Title Changed
Public Health Microbiologist I 12/29/1944 07/11/1995 05/24/1973
Public Health Microbiologist II 05/25/1931 07/11/1995 05/24/1973
Public Health Microbiologist Specialist 04/06/1993 07/11/1995 --
Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor 05/24/1973 07/11/1995 04/06/1993
  Updated: 6/3/2012
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