General Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2)

Initial Posting Date:

10/30/2024

Application Deadline:

11/20/2024

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$4,536 - $6,952

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

General Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2)

Job Description:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Public Health Division (PHD), Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) section is recruiting for a General Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) to perform analytical testing in the General Microbiology lab.

The Oregon State Public Health Laboratory (OSPHL) has been actively protecting the public's health since 1903 by supporting state and local infectious disease control efforts, preventing metabolic disorders detectable at birth, and assuring the quality of testing in clinical and environmental laboratories. Click here for more information.

OHA values service excellence, leadership, integrity, health equity and partnership and has a strategic goal to end all health inequities by 2030.

The OHA mission is helping people and communities achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnership, prevention and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA’s work is organized into three broad goals: Improve the lifelong health of all Oregonians, increase the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all Oregonians and lower or contain the cost of care so it is affordable to everyone.

This is a full-time, permanent position and is represented by a union, SEIU Human Services.

What you will do!

As the General Microbiologist, your responsibilities may include testing and whole genome sequencing of enteric pathogens, testing of Mycobacteria for the state Tuberculosis program, and may also involve testing of select agents for the PHEP program.

Specimen testing may include:

• Using conventional and molecular methods to identify and further classify a variety of pathogenic bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, and Shigella species.
• Testing pathogenic bacteria for drug resistance.
• Performing Whole Genome Sequencing analysis on bacterial isolates.
• Testing clinical and environmental samples for the presence of biological select agents.
• Testing water for coliform bacteria.
• Isolating bacterial pathogens from retail meats.
• Preparing specimens for storage and delivery related to the Emerging Infections Program and Epidemiology Lab Capacity grants.

What's in it for you?
The public health division is a team of passionate individuals working to promote health across the lifespan of individuals, families, and communities. We value and support unique perspectives using a trauma-informed approach and aim to reflect these values in our hiring practices, professional development, and workplace. We are committed to racial equity as a driving factor to improve health outcomes for all communities that experience inequities.

• We offer exceptional medical, vision and dental benefits packages for you and your qualified family members, with very low monthly out-of-pocket costs. Try this free virtual benefits counselor by clicking here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/pebb/pages/alex.aspx 
• Paid Leave Days:
  • 11 paid holidays each year
  • 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" each year
  • 8 hours of paid sick leave accumulated every month
  • Progressive vacation leave accrual with increases every 5 years
• Pension and retirement programs
• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Click here to learn more about State of Oregon benefits.

The work of this role is performed on-site at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, 7202 NE Evergreen Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124. 

OHA values health equity, service excellence, integrity, leadership, partnership, innovation and transparency. OHA’s health equity definition is “Oregon will have established a health system that creates health equity when all people can reach their full potential and well-being and are not disadvantaged by their race, ethnicity, language, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, social class, intersections among these communities or identities, or other socially determined circumstances. Achieving health equity requires the ongoing collaboration of all regions and sectors of the state, including tribal governments to address: the equitable distribution or redistributing of resources and power; and recognizing, reconciling, and rectifying historical and contemporary injustices.” OHA’s 10-year goal is to eliminate health inequities. Click here, to learn more about OHA’s mission, vision and core values.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry or closely related field of science AND 1 year of progressively responsible professional experience related to the series concept; OR

A master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or a closely related field of science; OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Attributes

• Preference may be given to applicants with experience identifying bacteria by classical methods in a clinical setting.
• Experience in creating and maintaining a work environment that is respectful and accepting of diversity among team members and the people we serve.

• Experience working as a general microbiologist in a clinical laboratory.
• Experience testing for tuberculosis and enteric pathogens.
• Experience with molecular testing including whole genome sequencing.
• Experience interpreting quality control results and implementing proper corrective action.
• Experience recording specimen data and results within a laboratory information management system.
• Experience identifying organisms and assessing the need for non-culture tests to aid in organism identification.
• Experience identifying and interpreting growth patterns in reportable isolates.
• Certification as a Medical Technologist is a plus.

How to Apply:

• Complete the online application.
• Complete the online questionnaire. 
• Upload a current resume that demonstrates how your personal (lived), educational, and professional experience qualify you for this position. *(required)
• Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Update professional, educational, voluntary, and personal experience on your resume. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on a pay equity assessment.  For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage.

*Applicants who fail to upload a resume may not be considered.

Questions/Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact: Aimee Buchholz at Aimee.D.Buchholz2@oha.oregon.gov . TTY users may dial 711 or 1-800-735-2900. For Workday technical support dial 1-855-524-5627.

Additional Information

• Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to your Workday account. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.
• Candidates gathered from this job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference. Click here for more information about veterans’ preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process.
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA) does not offer VISA sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.  OHA is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.
• If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
• Please only attach documents that are related to the position. Additional documents that are attached will not be reviewed.
• Attention current State of Oregon employees: To apply for posted positions, please close this window and log into your Workday account and apply through the Career worklet.
• Applicant Help and Support webpage

Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Pay Equity

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, genetic information, or any other protected class under state or federal law. In addition, we do not discriminate, or screen applicants based on current or past compensation. We determine salary by reviewing your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience, and training for this position. For further information, please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage. To learn more about OHA’s mission, vision, and core values, click here.

The Oregon Health Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity and anti-racism.