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.

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 SUPERVISOR (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):

2705

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

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02705

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.

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 - Public Health Microbiologist's certificate

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.

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

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

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 the duties of a Public Health Microbiologist II (Virology) in the Department of Health Services (California Department of Public Health).

Or Two

Four years of experience in microbiology in public health or comparable laboratory, including at least two years of virologic experience, and two years of which must have involved one or a combination of the following:

Supervisory experience involving supervision of professional laboratory personnel. Independent research in medical virology or a closely related field (i.e., Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, or Immunology).

Teaching experience at the level of a full-time instructorship with responsibility for a course in medical microbiology (i.e., Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology, or Immunology).

Field consultation experience in the medical laboratory discipline.

(Possession of a Doctorate in Microbiology or Public Health with emphasis in virology or allied disciplines, e.g., microbiology, epidemiology, administration, biostatistics, may be substituted for the two years of general experience.)

The examination will consist of a Qualifications Assessment and is the sole component of the Public Health Microbiologist Supervisor (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.

The 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 law and rules and all competitors will be notified

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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. Principles, practices, and techniques of public health administration and personnel management to carry out daily supervisory duties.
2. Leadership principles and methods to motivate and maintain the productivity of employees in accomplishing program objectives.
3. Quality control policies and procedures applicable microbiological testing performed.
4. Microbiological and serological principles in order to perform and oversee daily duties.
5. Techniques, equipment, and terminology used in the laboratory for the detection and identification of infectious disease agents.
6. Virological and rickettsia pathogens with clinical and public health significance for the detection and identification of human, zoonotic, and vector-borne pathogens.
7. Methods of disease transmission and epidemiological principles to select proper specimens for testing.
8. Personal protective equipment and laboratory safety devices required to prevent accidental exposure to biological materials, infectious agents, chemicals, toxins, etc.
9. Quality control and assurance principles and regulations, as well as their application to laboratory operations and record keeping in accordance with state and federal regulations.
10. The use, maintenance, and principle of operations of laboratory equipment used for analytical testing and environmental control to assure proper operation and valid laboratory results.
11. Laboratory safety regulations, principles, and procedures for the identification and control of chemical and biological hazards.

12. Disease progression in the human host for the selection and timing of proper specimen collection and testing.
13. Patient confidentiality principles and information security practices as required by laboratory policy, State, and Federal regulation.
14. Basic chemistry, microscopy, immunological, and molecular principles in order to understand and perform standardized laboratory assays and develop new testing methods.
15. Principles, techniques, and terminology used in immunology to assure proper implementation and interpretation of serological tests.
16. The common causes of diseases and methods of transmission and control of communicable diseases.
17. Laboratory equipment and its care to ensure safety and accuracy for daily duties.
18. Principles and methods of scientific research, scientific theories, and new, innovative test methodologies.

Skills to:

1. Effectively lead a team in a professional manner to achieve departmental goals.
2. Safely perform laboratory operations including work with cultures, diagnostic specimens, pathogenic organisms, and laboratory equipment (i.e., biological safety cabinets, sharps and autoclaves), to ensure the safety of the laboratory environment and staff.
3. Recognize and solve problems in performance of test assays, equipment, and data that significantly impact the quality of results to assure high quality laboratory results.
4. Effectively and accurately communicate both orally and in writing, with staff, the public, and local agencies to provide information and direction.
5. Read and comprehend scientific literature, directives, manuals, reports, and other job related documents to maintain a suitable knowledge base and enable performance of complex laboratory tasks.
6. Effectively lead a group, including coaching and mentoring, to improve performance, productivity and expertise.
7. Identify project resources and deadlines in order to prioritize work assignments, establish timelines for completion, and to assure that project goals are met.
8. Provide expert advice and assistance to staff and external constituents concerning implementation or application of new and existing policies and procedures.

Ability to:

1. Coordinate and supervise complex microbiological projects to achiever departmental goals.
2. Effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives to meet program goals.
3. Work on multiple projects and assignments simultaneously to meet deadlines.
4. Adapt to changes and priorities of work assignments and policies which may impact courses of action for completion of projects and assignments.
5. Communicate verbally in a clear and effective manner with staff, state, and local agencies when providing consultation and technical guidance.
6. Interact and collaborate with staff of various job descriptions and backgrounds in order to foster team building and cooperation.
7. Perform virological laboratory tests in order to diagnose infections and guide treatment decisions.
8. Maintain, organize, and keep records for laboratory audit purposes.
9. Clearly communicate complex concepts to other scientists for consultation or training.
10. Independently troubleshoot and solve problems that occur in the laboratory.
11. Evaluate effectiveness of training, analyze problems, and take appropriate action according to established management policies.
12. Maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues, including patient and employee information to comply with departmental policies.
13. Represent the department in a professional manner in interaction with the public, scientific community, and legal proceedings regarding laboratory issues.

14. Work in supervisory capacity being attentive to ideas, recognizing responsibilities, and actively communicating with staff to accomplish program goals.
15. Work independently to complete laboratory work, adjust priorities and meet deadlines to carry out job duties.
16. Operate and adapt to complex office and laboratory equipment (i.e., Computers, office machines, microscopes, centrifuges, and balances).
17. Organize, design, and provide effective training curriculum for staff to meet departmental policies.
18. Provide technical guidance to staff regarding laboratory policies and procedures.
19. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to carry out job duties.
20. Identify microbiological agents utilizing a variety of testing methods to achieve departmental goals.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the PUBLIC HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST SUPERVISOR (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 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

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.

• Department of Public Health

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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.

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.