Program Manager (Microbiology Training Program)

Heluna Health•Richmond, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The CDPH Center for Laboratory Sciences, Operations Branch’s Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) Training Program seeks a Program Manager to manage trainees, participants, and program activities in collaboration with public health laboratories, local counties, and the California Association of Public Health Lab Directors (CAPHLD). The role oversees the PHM program’s co-PHM manager, county trainees, online support staff, laboratory partners, participants, and volunteers from CAPHLD and other CDPH laboratories. Work includes handling email, forms, training records, rosters, online platforms, inventory, purchases, and schedules. The Program Manager coordinates and supports the PHM training program, including curriculum and resource updates, training schedules, subject matter experts, lectures, presentations, laboratory instruction, trainee support, and program evaluations. The position also coordinates with CDPH Laboratory Field Services (LFS) and AAB regarding trainee documentation, licensing, exams, registration, and deadlines. The manager provides guidance and professional development support to training team members, supports sustainability and quality-improvement efforts, and assists with additional projects as needed. Applicants must maintain regular attendance, communicate effectively and professionally, resolve conflicts promptly, complete assignments efficiently, and comply with departmental policies and procedures. A current, valid Public Health Microbiologist’s certificate issued by the California State Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services is required. At least two years of relevant work experience in a local or state public health laboratory is required; experience with PHM training program operations is preferred. Applicants must submit a resume and three professional references. If hired, the applicant must provide proof of experience and professional license and certification. This is an onsite position at the CDPH campus in Richmond, California, in indoor, temperature-controlled office and laboratory settings. Essential workforce training may require up to 40 hours per week onsite in Richmond. Reliable transportation is required for travel to local public health laboratories as needed; travel will be reimbursed. Salary is $110,000–$125,000 annually, depending on skills and qualifications.

Requirements

At least 2 years of relevant work experience in a local or state public health laboratory.
Current, valid Public Health Microbiologist’s certificate issued by the California State Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services.
Effective organizational and computer technical skills.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion.
Presentation skills and ability to present and facilitate meetings online and in person.
Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with diverse audiences and groups.
Conflict management and resolution skills.
Knowledge of general public health microbiology laboratory procedures and techniques, such as diagnostic testing, microscopy, staining, aseptic technique, laboratory procedures, reading and reporting results, and troubleshooting.
Familiarity with public health laboratory supplies, PPE, and equipment, such as incubators, media and reagents, chemicals, freezers, refrigerators, centrifuges, balances, pipettes, microscopes, molecular diagnostic platforms, thermometers, and water baths.
Ability to multitask and meet scheduling priorities in a timely manner.
Ability to support trainees in successfully completing training.
Ability to set clear objectives, monitor progress, evaluate performance, assign and delegate tasks, provide feedback, and implement improvement plans when needed.
Ability to identify problems, assess potential solutions, and implement strategies to resolve issues affecting the training team and program.
Ability to plan long-term goals and sustainability, set annual priorities, anticipate program needs, and align team efforts with organizational objectives.
Must submit a resume and three professional references with the application.
If hired, must provide proof of experience and professional license and certification.
Must have reliable transportation for required travel to local public health laboratories.

Nice To Haves

Experience specifically with operations of the PHM training program.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, and email applications such as Microsoft Outlook.
Experience using online resources such as SharePoint and websites, and teleconferencing tools such as WebEx, GoToMeeting, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
Experience with disease and laboratory risk prevention and control, and laboratory safety.
Experience with general laboratory safety procedures, best practices, guidelines, and documentation.
Supervisory experience involving professional laboratory personnel.
Ability to coordinate with state and local agencies to support training program priorities.

Responsibilities

Oversee direct reports’ attendance, duties, training, records, schedules, and resources for PHM training.
Ensure compliance with laboratory health and safety procedures and practices and CDPH policies, including IT and security policies.
Coordinate training schedules with CAPHLD, participating CDPH laboratories, subject matter experts, volunteers, and participants.
Facilitate agreements and approvals for curriculum, guideline, and practice changes through the CAPHLD committee.
Lead CAPHLD training committee and work-group coordination to update curriculum, resources, and materials, track deliverables and deadlines, and implement changes and improvements.
Address program inquiries, needs, and priorities, and track and implement updates to PHM schedules.
Recruit and schedule subject matter experts, speakers, and volunteers for didactic and laboratory training.
Provide technical and administrative consultations to PHM trainees and participants.
Oversee maintenance and updating of trainee training records, grades, documentation, emergency contacts, standard operating procedures, safety procedures, risk assessments, job aids, and other training tools.
Assist local and state laboratories with workforce training resources, online training platforms, exam proctoring and scoring, surveys, feedback, and evaluations.
Provide subject matter expertise, lectures, presentations, and laboratory training on assigned PHM modules.
Coordinate required documentation and updates with CDPH Laboratory Field Services, monitor trainee license expiration dates, send reminders, and follow up on inquiries and requirements.
Communicate with LFS and AAB to ensure timely submission of PHM information and documents, and deliver updates on deadlines, completion certificates, exams, and registration procedures.
Process program evaluations and feedback, compile data, and generate reports to support sustainability and quality improvement.
Assist CAPHLD PHM training committee chairs with sustainability efforts and related projects.
Guide and support training team members’ professional growth, identify training needs, apply adult learning principles, and promote continuous learning.
Provide additional project support as needed.
Travel to local public health laboratories to support training and perform PHM-related tasks and projects.