Principal Microbiologist (35 Hour)

Introduction

Are you a current DPH employee looking to take the next step in your laboratory career?

Advance your expertise as a Principal Microbiologist and help lead critical work within the State Public Health Laboratory's Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (AMD) program!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), State Public Health Laboratory, is excited to announce an internal promotional opportunity for the position of Principal Microbiologist. This role plays a vital part in advancing high-complexity molecular diagnostics, supporting statewide public health response, and strengthening laboratory readiness. Please note: This opportunity is open only to current DPH employees.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Location: 395 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT
• Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (First Shift)

GROW WITH THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT:

• Continue enjoying the comprehensive benefits you know and rely on - review our State Employee Benefits Overview for a refresher on everything available to you
• Continue to enjoy a healthywork/life balance!

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (AMD) Laboratory is a rapidly evolving section of the State Public Health Laboratory, dedicated to the identification and characterization of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. This unit utilizes whole genome sequencing, high-complexity molecular assays, and advanced diagnostic platforms to support outbreak investigations, surveillance, and clinical decision-making across Connecticut.

The Principal Microbiologist will play a key leadership role in:

• Overseeing molecular diagnostic workflows, including RT-PCR, sequencing, and assay validation
• Guiding WGS wet-lab preparation and ensuring high-quality, reliable analytical output
• Coordinating daily workflow priorities while maintaining enhanced Biosafety Level 2 practices
• Managing reagent and supply inventories to support uninterrupted testing operations
• Ensuring quality assurance and regulatory compliance across the assigned laboratory section
• Planning, conducting, interpreting, and summarizing method validation studies for FDA-approved and laboratory-developed tests
• Communicating with public health partners regarding test methods, laboratory policies, and interpretation of results

This role offers a unique opportunity to support statewide public health response, influence laboratory strategy, and strengthen the technical foundation of Connecticut's molecular diagnostics capabilities.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Alyssa Hovanec at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor responsible for a large and/or complex grouping of work in a laboratory.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
• Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
• Conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens;
• Maintains quality assurance programs;
• Prepares and maintains records, reports and correspondence;
• Processes specimens under chain-of-custody;
• Maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise;
• Oversees the use of and utilizes universal laboratory precautions;
• Utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results;
• Acts for Supervising Microbiologist in their absence;
• May be responsible for leading staff and a variety of activities outside normal working hours;
• May make recommendations on policies or standards;
• May testify in court;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • current theories, principles and practices of biomedical sciences and microbiological disciplines including bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health;
  • current laboratory methods, equipment, instrumentation and material;
  • quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of
  • universal laboratory precautions;
  • common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations;
• Considerable Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations;
  • conduct analytical, consultative and research activities;
  • interpret complex examination results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent;
  • utilize computer software;
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the full working level in the field of microbiology.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Microbiologist 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in the natural sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with clinical molecular diagnostic techniques and procedures including RT-PCR and sequencing and instrument operation and maintenance for the detection, identification, and characterization of pathogenic bacteria, fungal, and viral agents.
• Experience with whole genomic sequencing (WGS) wet preparation workflow, and demonstration of both technical depth and practical relevance, including challenges and solutions.
• Experience coordinating with others to establish and maintain daily workflow priorities while ensuring enhanced Biosafety Level 2 policies and procedures are followed.
• Experience budgeting and maintaining an adequate in-date inventory of reagents and supplies.
• Experience with quality assurance and quality control procedures needed to meet clinical laboratory regulatory requirements including maintaining and utilizing up to date standard operating procedures and ensuring compliance within the laboratory section.
• Experience with planning, conducting, interpreting and summarizing data in the validation of FDA approved and laboratory developed test methods.
• Experience communicating with internal and external public health partners and stakeholders regarding laboratory policies, procedures, test methods performed and interpretation of analytical results.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet the various certification and/or licensing requirements.
• Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.