Supervising Public Health Microbiologist

Salary : $99,944.00 - $127,524.80 Annually Location : Santa Ana Job Type: Full-Time Regular Job Number: 3890SM-0226-042 (O) Department: Health Care Agency Division/Service Area: Public Health Services Opening Date: 03/06/2026 CAREER DESCRIPTION SUPERVISING PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. DEADLINE TO APPLY This recruitment will be open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and is scheduled to close at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 20, 2026. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment will establish an eligible list to fill current and future Supervising Public Health Microbiologist positions within the Health Care Agency. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications. THE AGENCY The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA), is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES is a multi-dimensional department that includes Communicable Disease Control, Public Health Lab, Environmental Health, Community & Nursing Services, Clinical Services, and Health Promotion & Community Planning. Through assessment, policy development and assurance, PHS provides a wide range of services aimed at reducing death and disability by reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, preventing and lessening the impact of chronic diseases, and ensuring healthy and safe environments. THE DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAM The (PHL)is a vital part of the PHS area within HCA. The PHL provides essential laboratory support to several programs, including PHS Clinical Services, Environmental Health Services (EHS), Correctional Health Services (CHS), Communicable Disease Control (CDC), and local clinical laboratories. The laboratory plays a key role in protecting community health by performing testing that supports disease detection, environmental monitoring, and public health decision-making. THE OPPORTUNITY The Water Quality Department has an immediate opening for a Supervising Public Health Microbiologist (SPHM). This role supports the County's mission to protect public health by overseeing environmental laboratory testing used to monitor ocean and bay recreational waters. The SPHM serves as the laboratory's Technical Manager for ELAP accreditation, ensuring full compliance with state and federal standards, supervising laboratory operations, and providing advanced technical expertise. Duties and Responsibilities The responsibilities of the SPHM may include, but are not limited to, the following: Managing and maintaining the laboratory's ELAP accreditation Acting as the Technical Manager and ensuring compliance with state and federal laboratory regulations Monitoring laboratory performance, data quality, and the validity of all analytical results Ensuring laboratory personnel meet required education, training, and technical competency levels Developing, updating, and implementing laboratory procedures, methods, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Providing technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and mentorship to staff Performing complex, non-standard, or specialized laboratory analyses Leading or contributing to special projects, studies, or investigations Creating new procedures or techniques requiring specialized training or expertise Overseeing work within specialized laboratory units (as assigned) DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will possess expert-level knowledge in environmental testing, including testing related to drinking water and recreational waters, and will have a strong understanding of California ELAP requirements and The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to apply this knowledge in a laboratory setting to ensure regulatory compliance. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following core competencies: Technical Knowledge Advanced knowledge of microbiological concepts, principles, and techniques that can be applied to public health laboratory testing Proficient in training staff to perform microbiological and molecular methods Applying universal precautions to laboratory hazards associated with laboratory testing Understanding and following policies, processes and procedures for the handling and appropriateness of samples Proficient in the fundamentals of laboratory quality management systems Conducting different and complex microbiological testing/examination methods and interpreting results for accurate identification of agents Operating technical laboratory equipment, performing routine functional checks, and maintaining proper documentation Utilizing the Laboratory Information System at different phases of the testing process Written and Oral Communication Skills Writing standard operating procedures or policies for departmental tests or methods as needed Communicating with Lab Manager and Director to provide updates Coordinating and communicating with other internal supervisors Communicating professionally with clients (e.g., environmental health, epidemiologists, physicians, etc.) and staff when giving/explaining laboratory results and answering technical questions Communicating professionally with vendors or sales representatives regarding laboratory supplies or equipment as needed Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Prioritizing work and meeting established deadlines by setting objectives and goals to achieve maximum productivity Overseeing and ensuring that technical work is completed within turnaround time Developing and maintaining effective systems to manage multiple tasks and track information Leadership/Supervision Supervising and monitoring a team of staff, which includes employees within the Public Health Microbiologist I, Public Health Microbiologist II and Lab Assistant classifications Mentoring staff, fellows, and interns Writing and conducting performance evaluations of staff MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Supervising Public Health Microbiologist classification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental and working conditions. NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the Recruitment ProcessHuman Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process. Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications exhibiting qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step. Application Appraisal | HR Review Rating (Weighted 100%) An Application Appraisal conducted by HRS will thoroughly screen and evaluate all application materials for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above. Only the most qualified applicants will be placed on the eligible list. Eligible ListOnce the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Please note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information. Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP) The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants with the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION EMAIL NOTIFICATION: Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Clickhere for additional Frequently Asked Questions. For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Janeth Boudreaux at (714) 834-2217 or EEO INFORMATION Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Non-Management Benefits In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits. Click for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees. 01 The information you provide will be used to rate your qualifications for the position. Incomplete information will result in a lower rating. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the question. If you do not have experience, please write NONE. NOTE: 'See resume', 'See above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be scored. By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement. Yes No 02 Please select the option that best describes your education.Note: A copy of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application to move forward in the recruitment process. Master's Degree or higher in Medical or Public Health Bacteriology or Microbiology, or related major Bachelor's degree with a major in Medical or Public Health Microbiology An equivalent major as approved by the California State Department of Health from a college or university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or an equivalent accrediting agency as determined by the State Department of Health None of the above 03 Please select the option that best describes your experience performing the duties of Public Health Microbiologist in an official public health laboratory performing generalized public health Microbiological work.Note: A master's degree or higher in Medical or Public Health Microbiology may be substituted for one (1) year of require experience. if you are qualifying with a master's degree, a clear copy of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application for verification to move forward in the recruitment process. Five (5) years of experience Four (4) years of experience Three (3) years of experience Two (2) years of experience None of the above 04 Please describe your experience performing duties of a Public Health Microbiologist in an official public health laboratory in which you performed generalized Public Health Microbiologist work.In your response, please include years of experience, the organization you obtained this experience from, and your responsibilities. 05 Do you currently possess a valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health?Note: a clear copy of your certificate must be attached to your application to move forward in the recruitment process. Yes No 06 If you answered, "Yes" to Question #5, please provide your Public Health Microbiologist certificate number. If you answered "No," please put "N/A." 07 Please describe your experience with environmental testing for drinking water or recreational waters and explain how you have applied California ELAP requirements and TNI standards in a laboratory setting to ensure regulatory compliance. In your response, please include years of experience and the organization you obtained this experience from and your responsibilities. Required Question

Created: 2026-03-10