Exam Bulletin - Public Health Microbiologist II - Virology

Department of Public Health

Exam Code: EX-2610

Examination Plans Included:

  • PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY) - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY): $6,333.00 - $8,521.00 per Month

View the PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY) classification specification.

Application Instructions


Testing is considered continuous as dates can be set at any time. Applications will be reviewed to ensure the minimum requirements for participation in this exam are met. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for 12 months from the established list date.

Applications must be submitted by the filing dates indicated below. Applications postmarked, personally delivered, or received via interoffice mail after the final filing date, will be held for the next administration of the exam.

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 7/8/2024
  • 9/9/2024
  • 11/8/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Who Should Apply:

Persons who meet the minimum qualifications as stated on this announcement may take

this competitive examination.

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2610

For PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02610

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Examination Services Unit
    P.O. Box 997378 MS 1700 – 1702
    Sacramento, CA 95899-7378

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Examination Services Unit
    1615 Capitol Avenue
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

COPY OF UNOFFICIAL/OFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

  • Transcript (Official or Unofficial)
  • Certificate - Valid Public Health Microbiologist's Certificate

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00107950 - PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY)

Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist's certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services (California Department of Public Health)... (Applicants who do not possess the required certificate but who are eligible for the examination for certification will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure the certificate before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) AND

 

Either One

Two years of experience performing duties of a Public Health Microbiologist I, Range B, including at least one year of experience in virology, in the California State Department of Health Services (California Department of Public Health).

Or Two

Three years of experience performing a wide variety of microbiologic (i.e., Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, or Immunology) analyses in a public health or comparable laboratory, including at least one year performing virologic analysis. [A Master's Degree or higher degree in Medical Microbiology or Public Health with emphasis in virology or allied disciplines (e.g., microbiology, epidemiology, administration, biostatistics) may be substituted for one year of experience.]

Position Description

00107950 - PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY)

This is the advanced journey or lead person level. Under general direction, provides technical leadership and assists in the planning and direction of the work of a specified unit; uses specialized techniques, develops and applies complex, nonstandardized virologic analyses, requiring initiative and independent judgment; develops quality assurance procedures; performs functions typical of a reference laboratory such as: technical consultation from the State Reference Laboratory to local public health and clinical laboratorians, directors, physicians, and officials of other State, local, and private agencies; plans and conducts evaluations of performance of local public health and clinical virology laboratory work; trains postdoctoral microbiologists, pathologists, and related medical personnel in standardized and specialized microbiological methods and interpretation of test results; assists in preparing data for publication; and does other related work.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

The examination will consist of a Qualifications Assessment and is the sole component of the Public Health Microbiologist II, Virology examination. To obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum score of 70% must be received. The Qualifications Assessment is designed to elicit specific information regarding each candidate’s education, training, and experience relative to the testing classification.

 

Responses to the questionnaire will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. The Qualifications Assessment package will be emailed to the applicant in the form of a survey. Please monitor your email account’s SPAM, Junk, Bulk, etc. Folder (s) as the examination email may be filtered depending on your specific account settings.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Online ExamAfter Acceptance100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:

1. Bacterial, fungal, parasitic, viral, and other microbial organisms required to perform daily duties.

2. Techniques, equipment, and terminology used in the laboratory for the detection and identification of disease agents.

3. Quality control procedures applicable to the general field of microbiology.

4. Principles, techniques, and terminology used in immunology.

5. The common causes of diseases and methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases.

6. Scientific resources to support daily duties in the laboratory.

7. Laboratory equipment and its care to effectively and accurately perform daily duties.

8. The preparation of chemical reagents, culture media, stains, compounds, and solutions required in microbial testing.

9. The scientific process and an understanding of various microorganisms that may harm the public. 

10. Laws and standards related to Public Health laboratory programs. 

11. Personal protective equipment and laboratory safety devices required to prevent accidental exposure to biological materials, infectious agents, chemicals, toxins, etc.

Skills to:

1. Make minor modifications or adaptations to established methods, procedures, and/or techniques to solve problems in the work.

2. Work cooperatively and effectively with staff and management.

3. Maintain detailed workbooks/documentation and ensure all documentation fulfills generally accepted professional/industry standards.

4. Maintain a neat and orderly workspace to maintain health and safety standards.

5. Use logic, experience, and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

6. Perform complete, detailed and thorough work tasks.

7. Prepare and maintain individual records of daily activities.

8. Perform repetitive hand eye coordination with office and laboratory equipment.

Ability to:

1. Perform virological laboratory tests in order to diagnose infections and guide treatment decisions.
2. 
Provide technical guidance to assistants on various laboratory activities.
3. Keep organized records and make detailed reports regarding virological testing.
4.
Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to meet diagnostic needs.
5.
Observe and practice proper safety precautions and procedures during daily activities.
6.
Conduct the appropriate methodology and procedures to meet the experimental objectives.
7.
Follow all department policies and procedures to ensure product integrity and quality control.
8.
Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery (e.g. calculator, copy machine, and computer printer).
9. Communicate effectively in verbal and written form.
10. Work effectively and efficiently, independently or in a group/team based environment.
11.
Properly practice safety and sterilization procedures to minimize the risk of any hazardous accidents.
12.
Identify bacteria, parasites, fungi, viruses, and other infectious agents.
13.
Make qualitative and/or quantitative determinations from microbiological analyses.
14. Collaborate with fellow public health microbiologists or other essential community participants to carry out program objectives.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST II (VIROLOGY) Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Public Health

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 18 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Public Health

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Public Health
Examination Services Unit
Department of Public Health
1615 Capitol Avenue Suite
P.O. Box 997378 MS 1700-1702
Sacramento, CA 95899-7378
Phone:
CDPHExamUnit@cdph.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Public Health reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)