Principal Microbiologist (35 Hour) (Office/On-site)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\nDo you want to utilize your skills and make a difference? Are you looking to take the next step in your career? If so, please read on to learn more about this exciting opportunity!��\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a talented and dedicated professional to join our team as a Principal Microbiologist to play a key role in protecting and improving the health of our communities through cutting-edge laboratory science and expertise.\r\n� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �\r\n\r\nHighlights:\r\n\r\n\r\n LOCATION: Rocky Hill, CT�\r\n SCHEDULE: Full-Time, First Shift, 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday in person position with option for a flex schedule, telework is not available.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat We Can Offer You:�\r\n\r\n\r\n As a State of Connecticut employee, we offer the same competitive benefits which you are accustomed (Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page)\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees.�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n You Will Discover The Opportunity To:\r\n \r\n \r\n Engage in a rewarding career;\r\n Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;\r\n Thrive in an exciting environment;\r\n Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;\r\n Work together in a collaborative team environment.\r\n \r\n The Role:\r\n \r\n \r\n The Principal Microbiologist position is assigned to Quality\r\n Assurance and Laboratory Safety. Located in Rocky Hill, CT, the State Public\r\n Health Laboratory offers exciting opportunities for career development and\r\n growth. The role of the QA Principal Microbiologist is critical to the State\r\n Laboratory’s ability to maintain ongoing compliance with all Clinical\r\n Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) requirements.\r\n �\r\n \r\n \r\n This role provides essential oversight of quality systems and\r\n ensures adherence to multiple federal and state regulatory frameworks. In\r\n addition to CLIA‑related responsibilities, this position is indispensable for\r\n ensuring compliance with the Federal Select Agent Program. This individual will\r\n be required to undergo FBI background clearance and is responsible for the\r\n development, implementation, and annual revision of laboratory‑specific\r\n security, biosafety, and incident response policies.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n About Us:�\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy, preventing disease, injury, and disability, and promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.�\r\n \r\n \r\n DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n

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.�\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. �\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n 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.”\r\n 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).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n 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!�\r\n 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.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue 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 Julie.Barker@ct.gov.�\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

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

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

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

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.\r\n\r\n\r\nNOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Microbiologist 2.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

\r\n 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.\r\n A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n Experience with regulations and guidelines relating to Select\r\n Agents and laboratory testing from such agencies as CMS (CLIA), CAP, Federal\r\n Select Agent Program (FSAP).\r\n Experience with BSL-2 and BSL-3 work practice controls and\r\n guidelines.\r\n Experience with development of biological risk assessments.\r\n Experience performing quality assurance and/or safety\r\n laboratory audits, to include developing and overseeing corrective action\r\n plans, administering proficiency test programs.\r\n Experience with clinical microbiology test methods and\r\n procedures.\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n