Job Description
Salary : $84,968.00 - $108,409.60 Annually
Location : Santa Ana
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 3882HP-0126-042 (O)
Department: Health Care Agency
Division/Service Area: Public Health Services
Opening Date: 01/08/2026
Closing Date: 1/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
CAREER DESCRIPTION Public Health Microbiologist I Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
DEADLINE TO APPLY This recruitment is
open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Thursday, January 15, 2026, AT 11:59 PM (PST) The
open eligible list established by this recruitment will be used to fill current and future
Public Health Microbiologist I positions within this specialty. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County.
Health Care Agency The
County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA ) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health, and Specialized Medical Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
The Department The Orange County
Public Health Laboratory (OCPHL) is a core component of the Public Health program within HCA that provides laboratory services to Correctional Health Services, Public Health Clinical Services, Communicable Disease Control Division, Environmental Health Services, and clinical and hospital laboratories. Furthermore, OCPHL provides specialized laboratory testing for assessing, investigating, and analyzing infectious diseases of public health concerning Orange County, California. OCPHL is certified by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to perform high complexity testing in the areas of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, immunology, and molecular biology. Additionally, OCPHL has a Water Quality laboratory located in Newport Beach that is certified by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) that primarily monitors the County's Ocean and bay recreational waters.
The Opportunity Health Care Agency is recruiting for a Public Health Microbiologist (PHM) I to perform standardized microbiological testing in areas such as: bacteriology, mycobacteriology (TB), parasitology, virology and water quality for the detection of communicable disease-causing agents. The incumbents will be critical in maintaining the quality of testing that Orange County Public Health Laboratory provides to a variety of clients and programs.
The duties of the PHM I include, but are not limited to:
- Provide high quality, public health laboratory services to clients
- Conduct technical laboratory testing and analysis of a standardized and generally recurring nature using well defined procedures
- Work with laboratory instruments and equipment including calibration and troubleshooting
Desirable Qualifications & Core Competencies: The ideal candidate will be detailed- oriented and an excellent team player who is committed to providing a high level of microbiological testing, analysis and identification. The incumbents will have the ability to follow policies and procedures, adhere to safety rules and precautions, and conduct technical laboratory testing and analysis of a standardized and generally recurring nature using well defined procedures.
In order to be considered for a Public Health Microbiologist I position, candidates must attach a copy of their Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health to their application.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following core competencies:
Technical Knowledge | Technical Experience - Knowledge of microbiological and serological concepts, principles, and techniques that can be applied to public health laboratory testing
- Utilizing traditional microbiological and molecular methods to test and analyze communicable disease organisms such as Hepatitis, HIV, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, Gonorrhea, and Influenza.
- Applying universal precautions to laboratory hazards associated with laboratory testing
- Understanding and following policies, processes and procedures involving the handling and acceptability of specimens containing agents of concern such as: blood, sputum, stool, urine and others
- Conducting different microbiological testing/examination methods and interpreting results for accurate identification of infectious agents
- Operating technical laboratory equipment and performing routine functional checks; adhering to safety rules and precautions
- Performing and recording quality control activities, following appropriate regulations, and adhering to quality assurance program guidelines
- Utilizing the Laboratory Information System at different phases of the testing process
Communication Skills
- Communicating professionally with clients when giving/explaining laboratory results and answering technical questions
Planning and Organization
- Prioritizing work and meeting established deadline by setting objectives and goals to achieve maximum productivity
- Developing and maintaining effective systems to manage multiple tasks and track information, equipment records, quality controls, etc.
Minimum Qualifications
Click
here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the
Public Health Microbiologist I classification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental and working conditions.
Recruitment Process Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click
here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
Eligible List |
Score Groups : Once all screening has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Email Notification Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Click
here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rosemary Donis at [click to reveal phone number]714 834-6761 or
EEO INFORMATION Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Employer County of Orange
Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Santa Ana, California, 92701
Phone [click to reveal phone number]714-834-2555
Website Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System
Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
Click for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
01
The information you provide will be used to rate your qualifications for the position. Incomplete information will result in a lower rating.NOTE: Responses of "See Resume" or copy and paste of work experience are not a qualifying response and will not be scored.• Supplemental questions are designed to help you present your qualifications for this position.• Your qualifications for this position will be rated based on the information that you supply.• Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question.• Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions.• If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate questions.I have read and understand the importance on answering the following questions.
02
Do you currently possess a valid Public Health Microbiologist certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health?
03
If you answered "Yes" to the above questions, please provide your valid certificate number as well as an attached copy to the application.If you answered "No", please type "N/A".
04
Do you possess a bachelor's degree with a major in Medical or Public Health Microbiology or an equivalent major as approved by the California State Department of Health from a college or university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or an equivalent accrediting agency as determined by the State Department of Health.Please note a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be attached to your application at the time you apply to move forward in the recruitment.If you do not possess a degree, please input "N/A."
Required Question
Job Tags
Full time, Work experience placement, Immediate start,