General Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) Two Positions! -Hillsboro, OR (On-Site)

Initial Posting Date:

04/18/2024

Application Deadline:

05/09/2024

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$4,536 - $6,952

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

General Microbiologist (Microbiologist 2) Two Positions! -Hillsboro, OR (On-Site)

Job Description:

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

These are full-time, permanent, classified positions and are represented by a union. This recruitment may be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current or future vacancies.

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.

What will you 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 benefit packages for you and your qualified family members with minimal out-of-pocket costs (member cost share is as low as 1% - 5%). 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 accrued each month.

• 8 hours of vacation leave accrued each month with increases every 5 years.

• Pension and Retirement plans. After six months of service, you may qualify for the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). New employees may be enrolled in the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).

• Student Loan Forgiveness; Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity. The PSLF program may forgive student loan balances after you've made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments.

• Optional benefits include short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.

• Continuous growth and development opportunities.

• Click here to learn more and access a summary of State of Oregon benefits.

The Oregon Health Authority is committed to:

• Eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030

• Becoming an anti-racist organization

• Developing and promoting culturally and linguistically appropriate programs, and

• Developing and retaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce that represents the diversity, cultures, strengths, and values of the people of Oregon.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or in a closely related field of science AND in addition to a bachelor's degree, one year of clinical microbiological laboratory experience;

OR,

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

An equivalent combination (4 years) of education and clinical microbiological laboratory experience.

Desired Attributes:

• Preference may be given to applicants with a master's degree and experience identifying bacteria by classical methods in a clinical setting.

• Experience working as a general microbiologist in a clinical laboratory.

• Experience testing for tuberculosis, blood parasites, 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.

• Experience creating, promoting, welcoming, and maintaining a culturally competent and diverse work environment.

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

Directions to Apply: Please fill out the online application and submit a resume and cover letter telling us about yourself and how your personal (lived), educational, and/or professional experience qualifies you for this position.

• External Applicants: Click the "Apply" button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.

• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply through your employee Workday account. View this job aid for assistance.

Resources:

• This job announcement closes at 11:59 pm (PST) on the close date listed above.

• After submitting your application, be sure to respond to the two questions relating to public records request and veterans' preference that immediately follow your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

• Workday will timeout after 20 minutes of inactivity.

• Oregon Health Authority (OHA)

• Oregon Health Authority Website

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• Career Resources

• State of Oregon Career Resources Page

• Get Your Application and Resume Noticed

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• How to Set Job Alerts

Additional Information:

• Visa Sponsorships: 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.

• Pay Scale: Upon receiving a salary offer, we will conduct a pay equity assessment using the information provided in your application to determine your salary placement upon hire. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, please make certain your application materials are up-to-date and thorough. Include relevant details such as your work history, education, volunteer work, lived experiences, and any other pertinent information related to the position you are applying for. Please visit the Pay Equity Project homepage to learn more.

• Salary Listed is Non-PERS Rate. The salary listed in this job announcement is at the non-PERS rate. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) eligible employees will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and will pay the 6% employee contribution to PERS. If you are not yet PERS eligible, the 6.95% pay increase and employee contribution will be effective upon PERS eligibility.

• Background Check: If you are offered employment, your offer will be contingent upon the positive outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check, and driving records check. The information will 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.

• Veterans: If you are a veteran, you may receive veterans' preference points. Click here for more information about veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, you will receive a notice in your Workday inbox and will be required to provide your documents at that time. Veterans | Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs: 1-800-692-9666

Questions? If you have questions about the job announcement, would like assistance with the application process, have difficulties applying, or would like to request an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Tracie Knight, HR Analyst, at tracie.Knight2@dhsoha.state.or.us.

TTY users, please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900. For assistance, please call toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

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. 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.