Introduction

Do you have experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology?

Join us as Supervising Microbiologist and make a difference today!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) has an opening for Supervising Microbiologist to join team! This position will be overseeing the pre-analytical and post-analytical processes, within the Quality Assurance and Scientific Support Services Division, at the CT State Public Health Laboratory.

This position will ensure support staff are trained and competent in the pre- and post-analytical procedures, which include but are not limited to receipt, initial preparation and routing of specimens and samples submitted to the laboratory, sterilization, cleaning of laboratory glassware, media preparation, infectious waste disposal, and distribution of collection outfits to clinical facilities and local health departments. This position will also be expected to communicate with hospital staff and other submitters on issues related to specimens submitted for testing

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Location: 395 West St, Rocky Hill, CT
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Work Shift: Full-time, First Shift
• Work Hours: 35 hours per week

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Engage in a rewarding career;
• Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve;
• Assist our clients so they can achieve success;
• Make a difference in the public sector;
• Work together in a collaborative team environment.

Selection Plan

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 [email protected].
• 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 Julie Barker at [email protected].

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Agriculture and Public Health this class is accountable for supervising a large and/or complex grouping of work in the laboratory.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Schedules, assigns, oversees, and reviews work of staff;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Conducts performance evaluations;
• Determines priorities and plans unit work;
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
• Develops or makes recommendations on development of policies and standards;
• Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
• Maintains quality control and safety programs and ensures all quality assurance requirements are met;
• Ensures use of universal laboratory precautions by staff;
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and guidelines;
• Prepares reports and correspondence;
• Coordinates data processing for unit;
• Conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens;
• Maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise;
• Evaluates new test procedures;
• Reviews and approves final reports;
• Utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results;
• Ensures laboratory operations are within budget guidelines;
• Participates in the development of proposals for grant monies;
• Evaluates and certifies state shellfish laboratories for FDA compliance;
• May testify in court;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • relevant agency policies and procedures
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • laboratory facilities, methods, applications, examinations, equipment, instrumentation and material;
  • current theories, principles and practices of biomedical sciences, microbiological and biochemistry disciplines including aquaculture, bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health;
  • requirements of regulatory and accrediting bodies;
  • quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of
  • common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations;
  • universal laboratory precautions;
• Considerable Skills
  • in microbiological, biochemical, and chemical analytical methods;
  • in diagnostic techniques;
  • in data gathering and data analysis;
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to
  • perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations;
  • interpret test results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent;
  • conduct analytical, consultative and research activities;
  • maintain current knowledge in field of expertise;
  • utilize computer software;
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) 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

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the working lead level in the field of microbiology.

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

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 laboratory accreditation/certification regulations (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act and CAP) and the development, validation, and implementation of new diagnostic tests and writing standard operating procedures in accordance with CLIA requirements
• Experience supervising, training and evaluating professional and support staff, in addition to communicating complex scientific methods
• Experience with prioritization of workflow when presented with multiple demands and time critical activities, as well as ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to specimen collection, storage, and transport
• Experience maintaining quality control and safety programs and ensuring all quality assurance requirements are in compliance
• Experience with microbiological, biochemical, and/or chemical analytical methods and diagnostic techniques
• Experience writing grants and reporting elements for grant supported activities

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents working in this class in the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture Division must be certified under section 19a 36a33(b) of the Connecticut Public Health Code as an Environmental Laboratory Director and under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration National Shellfish Sanitation Program.
• 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 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.

Conclusion

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.