Microbiologist III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

21h • Onsite

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
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Functional Title: Microbiologist III Job Title: Microbiologist III Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Microbiology Posting Number: 15290 Closing Date: 04/08/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science Salary Range: $5,110.03 - $5,876.54 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-21 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 5% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location:  Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL) Other Locations:  MOS Codes: 230X,43BX,43TX,71A,SEI12    
 Brief Job Description:
Under the limited supervision of the Clinical Bacteriology Group Manager and in coordination with the Conventional Bacteriology & MALDI Team Lead, serves as a senior microbiologist. Following standard protocols for complex and highly complex microbiological methods, performs highly advanced technical and quality control activities involving characterization of pathogenic bacteria. Provides and documents technical training to the Team Lead and recommends and develops specific technical training for employees. Conducts process improvement, research, and development activities, including validation studies of new technologies and procedures. Makes recommendations to improve or replace existing procedures. Consults and coordinates with Team Lead to assure that the Quality Assurance Plan is implemented and followed. Duties are performed with adherence to standard protocol, with considerable latitude for the use of scientific knowledge, initiative, and independent judgment. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Requirements

• Have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in a chemical, physical, biological, or clinical laboratory science, or medical technology from an accredited institution.
• Must be willing to work Saturdays and holidays on a rotational basis.
• Comprehensive knowledge of highly advanced microbiological principles, techniques, and terminology used in diagnostic bacteriology laboratory
• Comprehensive knowledge of the expected reactions of most bacterial culture media with known quality control organisms, knowledge of Quality assurance and Quality control functions of a diagnostic bacteriology laboratory, knowledge of laboratory safety including sample-handling techniques.
• Skill in the operation and maintenance of diagnostic bacteriology laboratory equipment and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to see and distinguish color
• Ability to conduct microbiological specimen processing, bacterial isolation, identification, and characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing with speed, accuracy and safety
• Ability to identify a wide spectrum of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures and protocols accurately
• Ability to keep accurate, detailed records
• Ability to maintain an efficient inventory of stock and insure acquisition of necessary supplies; knowledge of material management procedures
• Ability to teach bacteriological procedures and use of various items of laboratory equipment with speed, accuracy and safety
• Ability to work as part of a team adhering to structured deadlines for completion of critical laboratory procedures that are performed in high volume
• Ability to communicate technical instructions, interact effectively with staff, work in harmony with other team members, and lead co-workers by setting a positive work-ethic example
• Ability to organize, multi-task, and self-motivate as appropriate to complete tasks without close supervision
• Ability to work independently and make technical decisions based on review of study data, professional knowledge and experience
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, spreadsheet and database analysis, and results reporting
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Working experience in a clinical microbiology or bacteriology laboratory.
• Experience with identifying bacteria using conventional biochemical methods or MALDI-TOF.
• Experience using various items of laboratory equipment.
• Ability to maintain inventory of supplies in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a senior Microbiologist in the team. Isolates, identifies, and/or characterizes bacteria from both referred cultures and clinical specimens.
• Monitors daily work schedule; consults and coordinates with Team Lead to make work assignment adjustments in response to staffing and workload changes in the laboratory.
• Communicates and coordinates with Team Lead to assure that the Team QA Plan is implemented and followed. Performs and documents QC procedures, equipment preventative maintenance and repair procedures to assure valid testing data.
• Conducts and documents Team technical training. Recommends specific training for employees and mentors employees in workgroup.
• Conducts process improvement, research, and development activities.
• Completes other duties as assigned. Participates in weekend and holiday rotation duties including monitoring and documentation of equipment performance.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees