Public Health Microbiologist

About the role

Join Ventura County Public Health Laboratory and be part of a dedicated team making a meaningful impact on community health. The lab supports vital public health programs, environmental health and animal regulation, providing diagnostic testing for serious infectious diseases (rabies, HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) and environmental testing for safe water.

Responsibilities

• Perform testing of specimens to detect disease indicators or agents; interpret results from standardized procedures in microbiology, serology, chemistry, and molecular biology.
• Perform and interpret physical, chemical, and microbiological exams on food, water, and other material important to environmental sanitation.
• Analyze and interpret data, maintain records under required standards, and prepare oral and written reports.
• Engage in continuing education and stay current with technical changes in microbiology and public health.
• Perform quality control checks and maintain quality control charts and inventory control as required.
• Write and revise procedures for pre‑analytic, analytic, and post‑analytic phases of testing.
• Occasionally conduct in‑service training programs in microbiological areas.
• Provide consultation to the medical community regarding specimen selection, collection, and transport for disease investigations.
• Occasionally prepare specimens and infectious material for shipment to other facilities for specialized testing.
• Support the laboratory's preventive maintenance and repair program.
• Prepare specimens and perform stains for rab