Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor – Enterics, Food & Parasitology (Micro 4) DOH8962

About the role

As the Microbiology Laboratory Supervisor – Enterics, Food & Parasitology, you will lead the day-to-day operations and staff of three specialized laboratory areas within the Washington State Public Health Laboratory’s Microbiology Office. You will supervise a team of microbiologists responsible for testing that identifies and characterizes pathogens associated with enteric illness, foodborne disease, and parasitic infections. This work is an important part of Washington’s disease surveillance and outbreak response system. The laboratory results and technical expertise provided by your teams help epidemiologists, local health jurisdictions, clinical laboratories, and other public health partners identify disease threats, investigate outbreaks, and take action to protect communities across the state.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the Enterics, Food, and Parasitology laboratories, including workload planning, staffing, turnaround times, and laboratory performance.
• Supervise and develop laboratory staff through training, coaching, performance management, work assignment, and recruitment.
• Provide technical oversight for high-complexity microbiology testing, including pathogen identification, subtyping, toxin determination, and bacteriological testing of food and shellfish samples.
• Ensure laboratory quality and regulatory compliance by overseeing quality control, proficiency testing, competency assessments, corrective actions, safety practices, documentation, and accreditation requirements.
• Evaluate and implement new and improved laboratory methods, including directing validation and verification activities and developing associated procedures and training materials.
• Manage laboratory resources and business operations, including equipment purchases, spending plans, contracts, grant proposals, reporting requirements, and project deliverables.
• Collaborate with epidemiologists, clinical laboratories, local health jurisdictions, state programs, national partners, and laboratory leadership to coordinate testing services and respond to emerging public health needs.
• Provide laboratory leadership during outbreaks and public health emergencies, adjusting staffing and testing operations to meet changing response needs.

Requirements

You must meet the personnel qualifications for a Technical Supervisor of high-complexity testing in the applicable microbiology specialty or subspecialty in accordance with 42 CFR 493.1449.

• Option 1: Bachelor's degree in chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science, medical technology, or another qualifying laboratory science as recognized by CLIA; and four years of laboratory training or experience in high-complexity microbiology testing, including at least six months in the applicable microbiology subspecialty.
• Option 2: Master's degree in chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science, medical technology, or another qualifying laboratory science as recognized by CLIA; and two years of laboratory training or experience in high-complexity microbiology testing, including at least six months in the applicable microbiology subspecialty.
• Option 3: Doctoral degree in chemical, biological, clinical, or medical laboratory science, medical technology, or another qualifying laboratory science as recognized by CLIA; or an MD, DO, or DPM licensed to practice in the applicable state; and one year of laboratory training or experience in high-complexity microbiology testing, including at least six months in the applicable microbiology subspecialty.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience performing high-complexity microbiology testing in a clinical, public health, or reference laboratory.
• Experience performing and troubleshooting high-complexity microbiology testing, including developing, validating, verifying, or implementing methods for pathogen detection and identification.
• Experience providing technical or operational leadership in a high-complexity laboratory, such as coordinating laboratory operations, leading projects, serving as a technical resource, or guiding the work of others.
• Experience training, mentoring, coaching, or developing laboratory personnel, students, or trainees.
• Experience ensuring compliance with CLIA regulations, CAP accreditation standards, laboratory quality management principles, and laboratory safety requirements.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or maintaining laboratory standard operating procedures and related quality documentation.
• Experience monitoring laboratory quality systems, including quality control, proficiency testing, corrective actions, or competency assessment.
• Experience collaborating with laboratory, epidemiology, clinical, public health, or other multidisciplinary partners.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to prepare reports, analyze data, and develop presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recent experience (within the last five years) performing high-complexity microbiology testing in a clinical, public health, or reference laboratory.
• Recent experience (within the last five years) developing, validating, verifying, or implementing laboratory methods.
• Two or more years of experience performing culture-based microbiology testing.
• Experience writing or contributing to grant proposals for laboratory or public health programs.
• Experience managing laboratory or public health projects, including planning, implementation, and monitoring deliverables.
• Experience implementing or maintaining CAP accreditation, ISO 15189, or other laboratory quality management systems.

Benefits

We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work-life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage.

Schedule

The DOH Enterics, Food and Parasitology Labs typically operate Monday through Friday and are closed on holidays. The employee is expected to maintain a flexible work schedule to support disease outbreak response, staffing coverage, and other critical laboratory or public health needs, including occasional work outside of normal business days and hours (including weekends and holidays). This position has a work schedule of 40 hours per week; however, the position may be expected to work longer hours to complete projects or assignments, meet business demands and deadlines, or during the annual legislative session. An alternative or flexible work schedule may be considered at the employee's request, subject to supervisory approval.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed on-site at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory in Shoreline, Washington.
• Work is performed in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory and requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
• The position involves handling infectious biological materials from human, animal, and plant sources; blood and other biological specimens; pathogenic organisms; and laboratory chemicals in accordance with established safety protocols.
• As a condition of employment, the employee may be required to receive vaccinations recommended or required for work with specific infectious agents in accordance with laboratory safety policies.
• This position requires standing in one location for up to two (2) straight hours as well as the use of restrictive PPE such as a lab coat, eye protection, and gloves.
• Infrequent travel is required to attend conferences.