State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Principal Microbiologist (35 Hour) (6375HC)

$39.40-$53.34 Hourly / $2,757.40-$3,733.68 BiWeekly /
$71,968.00-$97,449.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor responsible for a large and/or complex grouping of work in a laboratory.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives general direction from a Supervising Microbiologist or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Leads Microbiologists 1 and 2's and other laboratory personnel of lower grade as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;
  • Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;
  • Establishes and maintains unit procedures;
  • Provides staff training and assistance;
  • Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;
  • Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures;
  • Conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens;
  • Maintains quality assurance programs;
  • Prepares and maintains records, reports and correspondence;
  • Processes specimens under chain-of-custody;
  • Maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise;
  • Oversees the use of and utilizes universal laboratory precautions;
  • Utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results;
  • Acts for Supervising Microbiologist in their absence;
  • May be responsible for leading staff and a variety of activities outside normal working hours;
  • May make recommendations on policies or standards;
  • May testify in court;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • current theories, principles and practices of biomedical sciences and microbiological disciplines including bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health;
    • current laboratory methods, equipment, instrumentation and material;
    • quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures;
  • Knowledge of
    • universal laboratory precautions;
    • common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations;
  • Considerable Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations;
    • conduct analytical, consultative and research activities;
    • interpret complex examination results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent;
    • utilize computer software;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the full working level in the field of microbiology.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Microbiologist 2.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training in the natural sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  • A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet the various certification and/or licensing requirements.
  • Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(17)-Laboratory/Scientific Services

BARGAINING UNIT

(11)-HEALTH PROF (P-1)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

HC 24

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification of Principal Microbiologist (35 Hour) in Salary Group HC 24 approved effective April 18, 2023. (Revised to update terminology) Final No. 23-310

EFFECTIVE DATE

12/01/2023
CLASS: 6375HC; EST: 10/17/1969; REV: 12/4/2023;