3 (PCN 187341)

State of Alaska•Anchorage, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. This position is being recruited for in Anchorage. Pay will be determined based on level of selected individual. Microbiologist 1 (Range 14) salary: $2,059.50 Microbiologist 2 (Range 16) salary: $2,365.50 Microbiologist 3 (Range 18) salary: $2,725.50. Put your microbiology skills to work protecting Alaska’s food and drinking water. As a Microbiologist 1/2/3 with the Environmental Health Laboratory in Anchorage, you’ll test food, dairy, shellfish, seafood, water, and other samples to support consumer safety and public health. Contribute laboratory results to foodborne illness investigations and regulatory programs. Prepare samples, perform testing, and review results to produce accurate, reliable data. Help keep the laboratory ready for testing through quality checks, media preparation, equipment and workspace decontamination, procedure updates, and animal care. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s mission is to conserve, improve, and protect Alaska’s natural resources and environment to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of Alaskans. The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) supports this mission by providing analytical and technical information for environmental health programs that monitor air, food, seafood, soil, water, and zoonotic diseases. This position advances that work by performing chemical and microbiological testing that produces accurate, legally defensible data essential for safe food, clean drinking water, and strong public health protections statewide. Build your laboratory skills while doing work that matters to communities across Alaska. You’ll gain hands-on experience with a variety of sample types, opportunities for training and professional development, and experience working both independently and alongside other laboratory professionals. Your work will help protect consumers and support industries that depend on reliable testing.

Requirements

Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
Quality Assurance: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a procedure fulfills functional requirements and standards.
Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college in microbiology, medical technology, a laboratory science, a biological science, or chemistry, or a closely related field.
Two years of professional experience performing microbiological tests as a Microbiologist 1 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere (for Microbiologist 2).
Two years of journey professional experience performing microbiological testing as a Microbiologist 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere (for Microbiologist 3).
Valid Alaska driver’s license is required.
Must be immunized against infectious diseases (for some positions in this class).
Must be able to work with pathogenic organisms such as, but not limited to, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, and Brucella.
Must be able to work with common allergens including shellfish, crustaceans, rodents, and feathers.
Must be able to work with dead animals, whole carcasses, tissues, bodily fluids.
Must be able to work with live animals, including mice and potentially poultry.
Must be able to work with parasites such as ticks, in specimen containers.
Must be able to work in areas where corrosive chemicals such as hydrochloric and nitric acid are used.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the following areas: Adaptability, Reasoning, Interpersonal Skills, Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving, Quality Assurance.

Responsibilities

Test food, dairy, shellfish, seafood, water, and other samples to support consumer safety and public health.
Contribute laboratory results to foodborne illness investigations and regulatory programs.
Prepare samples, perform testing, and review results to produce accurate, reliable data.
Help keep the laboratory ready for testing through quality checks, media preparation, equipment and workspace decontamination, procedure updates, and animal care.
Performing a terminal bioassay on live mice.
Participate in weekend/holiday rotation for mouse care.