Public Health Laboratory Technician I - Extra-Help
Starting Salary up to $25.47/hr
These extra-help (temporary) positions may be filled at the I (trainee) or II (journey) level. If you are interested in being considered for the II level, you will need to apply for the separate concurrent recruitment being conducted for that level.
Public Health Laboratory Technician I is the trainee level and is used for recruiting and training applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications for the journey level. Initially working under close supervision, incumbents perform duties related to preparing specimens submitted to the Public Health Laboratory for testing and examination by state licensed microbiologists. Possession of the State of California Milk Inspection Certificate of Proficiency is required prior to being promoted to the Public Health Laboratory Technician II level.
Laboratory Technicians process and test environmental and select human specimens with a high degree of precision and accuracy. These positions operate and maintain lab equipment, maintain a clean and organized work area, develop and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, regulatory agencies, and other County departments. Responsibilities include inventory/supply management, specimen processing, media and reagent preparation, and equipment cleaning/sterilization. The Public Health Laboratory Technicians generally follow standard operating procedures and established policies, consult with others as needed, and support the Public Health Microbiologists. Additionally, these positions support the mission and goals of the Sonoma County Public Health Laboratory, which includes protecting and attaining optimal health and well-being for all people in Sonoma County. The lab can often be very busy and the selected candidate must be ready for high periods of steady work.
Initially, the selected candidates will work under close supervision, eventually becoming independent to perform routine tasks under minimal supervision. They should have a desire to learn more about the laboratory field and have an interest in science and biology. The lab can often be very busy and the selected candidate must be ready for high periods of steady work.
Hours for these positions are typically 8am-5pm weekends, but may be required to work weekends and/or holidays as needed, depending on the current response to health issues. Work is performed indoors with strict requirements around health and safety protocols, and appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing is provided.
The ideal candidates will possess:
- Coursework in biological, chemical, and physical sciences
- Some experience working in a laboratory setting
- The ability to prioritize work to meet reporting deadlines
- Strong attention to detail and record keeping skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to work as part of a team
EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
* Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU).
The employment list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of the list. County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience: Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include:
Public Health Laboratory Technician I: coursework in biology, chemistry, or equivalent natural science, and some experience working in a public health or clinical laboratory.
Public Health Laboratory Technician II: coursework in biology, chemistry, or equivalent natural science, and one year experience working in a public health or clinical laboratory performing duties equivalent to those of a Public Health Laboratory Technician I.
Certificate: Possession of the State of California Milk Inspection Certificate of Proficiency is required prior to being promoted to the Public Health Laboratory Technician II level.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Public Health Laboratory Technician I
Knowledge of: biology and chemistry; general scientific terminology; quality assurance and control methods and procedures; occupational hazards of and safety precautions for a public health laboratory; methods, materials and equipment used in a public health laboratory; methods and procedures used in thorough cleaning and sterilization of laboratory equipment; basic mathematics.
Public Health Laboratory Technician II - In addition to the knowledge required at the I level:
Knowledge of: dairy product testing procedures and protocols.
Public Health Laboratory Technician I
Ability to: learn to perform laboratory tests of non-human specimens submitted to the laboratory; use and maintain laboratory equipment; follow oral and written instructions of a technical nature; make arithmetic calculations and keep accurate records; perform repetitive laboratory tasks; maintain high standards of cleanliness in the laboratory; establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, staff of outside agencies, and members of the public.
Public Health Laboratory Technician II - In addition to the ability required at the I level:
Ability to: perform laboratory tests of non-human specimens such as water and milk, submitted to the laboratory.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all your employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application and should be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.