Microbiologist 1/Microbiologist 2 DOH9006

State of Washington•King County - Shoreline, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Health Public Health Laboratories is hiring a Microbiologist at the Microbiologist 1 or Microbiologist 2 level, depending on qualifications. The role is full-time and onsite at the Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline, Washington. The recruitment covers one seven-month temporary, non-permanent position and one permanent position. The Microbiologist will join the Emergency Response Laboratory (LRN-B/BioWatch), which conducts surveillance and diagnostic testing for high-consequence pathogens, including year-round environmental testing to detect intentional releases of biological threat agents. The role also supports emergency response testing in coordination with first responders, law enforcement, epidemiologists, and local health departments, including suspicious-package and white-powder analysis. The position prepares and processes environmental and clinical specimens; performs culture-based, molecular, and other methods to detect pathogens and toxins; supports laboratory quality assurance, equipment maintenance, training, and data management; and contributes to surge work and special projects. Work directly supports biological-threat detection, outbreak response, and public health partners across Washington. The position requires work in Biosafety Level 2 and Level 3 laboratory spaces, handling infectious specimens while wearing required personal protective equipment. Staff must complete an occupational health assessment for BSL-3 work and respirator use, receive DOH-provided evaluation and training, and undergo vaccinations required by the laboratory risk assessment. Schedules include weekend and rotating holiday work, standby duty, and the possibility of working outside core hours on short notice for outbreaks or emergency response. The role may occasionally require in- and out-of-state travel for training meetings and conferences. It is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Requirements

Meet one of the qualification pathways for either the Microbiologist 1 or Microbiologist 2 level.
Microbiologist 1, Option 1: At least two years of experience in a microbiology or molecular laboratory and 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution, including either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses or 24 semester hours of science courses consisting of six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination; also meet one of the stated laboratory-training criteria.
Microbiologist 1, Option 1 laboratory training: Complete a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ASHES, CAHEA, or another HHS-approved organization, or have at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which high-complexity testing is performed.
Microbiologist 1, Option 2: Bachelor's degree or higher in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, biology, chemistry, or another basic medical science, including at least 20 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in microbiology or a subject related to the study of microorganisms.
Microbiologist 2, Option 1: At least four years of experience in a microbiology or molecular laboratory and 60 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution, including either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses or 24 semester hours of science courses consisting of six semester hours of chemistry, six semester hours of biology, and 12 semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination; also meet one of the stated laboratory-training criteria.
Microbiologist 2, Option 1 laboratory training: Complete a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by ASHES, CAHEA, or another HHS-approved organization, or have at least three months of documented laboratory training in each specialty in which high-complexity testing is performed.
Microbiologist 2, Option 2: Bachelor's degree or higher in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, biology, chemistry, or another basic medical science, including at least 20 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in microbiology or a subject related to the study of microorganisms, and at least two years of microbiology or molecular laboratory experience.
For Microbiologist 2, a master's degree in one of the specified fields substitutes for one year of experience; a Ph.D. in one of those fields substitutes for two years of experience.
Undergo an FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division background check and security risk assessment after a conditional offer; the results will be considered in determining suitability and competence.
Be able to stand or sit for long periods, work at a computer for extended periods, and move packages or materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
Undergo an occupational health assessment for BSL-3 work and respirator use, and receive vaccinations for laboratory contaminants as determined and required by the Public Health Laboratory Risk Assessment.
Be able to work outside assigned core hours on short notice for outbreak and emergency response needs.
Complete the online application and submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references, including at least one current or recent supervisor.
If claiming veterans’ preference, attach applicable discharge or separation documentation with sensitive information redacted.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a CAP/CLIA-regulated clinical laboratory.
Experience working in an ISO-regulated environmental laboratory.
Experience working in biosafety level 3 laboratories.
Experience performing next-generation sequencing.
Experience performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Hold an ASCP certificate.
Experience in real-time PCR assays.

Responsibilities

Prepare environmental and clinical specimens for analysis, including manual and automated DNA/RNA extraction, filter cutting, and specimen log-in.
Survey suspicious packages as part of emergency response testing.
Perform culture-based methods to detect and identify bacterial pathogens.
Perform qPCR to detect and identify bacterial and viral pathogens.
Use Time Resolved Fluorescence and Mouse Bioassay to detect toxins.
Conduct MALDI-TOF analysis to identify toxins.
Learn and apply new technologies and assays as assigned to address emerging disease threats.
Assist the lead with quality control and quality assurance activities, including completing media and reagent QC accurately and on schedule.
Maintain laboratory equipment through regular temperature monitoring, real-time PCR platform calibration, and eyewash flushing.
Use MediaLab for document review and competency assessment.
Assist lead staff in training microbiologists on pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical work.
Enter submitter information and test results into laboratory databases, including StarLIMS, Access Reference Database, and LRN Results Messenger.
Support surge events in other laboratory sections when needed.
Contribute to project work such as process improvement and method validation or verification.
Participate in standby duty and, on short notice, work outside assigned core hours in response to outbreaks and emergency needs.
Occasionally travel to training meetings and conferences in or out of state.
Interact with specimen submitters and public health partners, including clinic or local health department staff, epidemiology staff, and potentially first responders, law enforcement, and federal partners.