Microbiologist I (DWRLB)

SUMMARY

Heluna Health and the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory Branch (DWRLB) seeks a Microbiologist (Wastewater Surveillance) to begin work immediately to support the CDPH wastewater surveillance (WWS) laboratory.

The CDPH DWRL WWS laboratory tests wastewater, or sewage, for fragments of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other infectious diseases.

Results are used to supplement existing public health surveillance and monitor infectious disease trends and outbreaks.

The CDPH WWS program is a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) and is recognized as a national Center of Excellence (CoE).

This position is funded under the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) cooperative agreement.

The Microbiologist will perform laboratory testing using PCR-based molecular platforms (e.g., digital droplet PCR) to detect and identify the SARS-CoV-2 virus and related variants in wastewater, as well as other pathogens of public health importance (e.g., influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, Mpox), as a public health surveillance tool for routine and outbreak monitoring.

The project involves routine environmental sample (wastewater) handling, concentration, and analysis, as well as evaluation of new methods and applications, for instance, different wastewater matrices (e.g., influent, solids) to enhance detection sensitivities.

Under supervision of the DWRL Microbiology Unit Supervisor, the Microbiologist will support data formatting, quality assurance/control, and reporting to other CDPH programs and the CDC.

The Microbiologist will work with the WWS laboratory team and laboratory tech/coordinator to maintain inventories and equipment.

Collaboration with other programs, including the CDPH wastewater surveillance epidemiology team and the CDC, are expected.

The Microbiologist will work to implement laboratory operational improvements as necessary, and contribute to documentation of processes (e.g., standard operating procedures) as necessary.

Applicant should possess approximately two years of relevant laboratory experience and possess a bachelor’s degree in biological science, molecular biology, or biochemistry.

A certified Public Health Microbiologist or having specific relevant microbiological and/or environmental laboratory training can substitute for some work experience.

The incumbent must be experienced in working with microorganisms and molecular techniques, exercise standard precautions, and be experienced with applied PCR-based methods.

Maintaining an organized, neat, and clean work environment, working well in a team environment, and being detail-oriented are essential.

The hourly range for this position is $32.30 to $37.70 per hour per hour depending on experience/qualifications.

If hired for this position, applicant will be required to provide proof of full vaccinatio...