Public Health Microbiologist III at County of Shasta – Redding, California

Salary: $87,552.00 - $111,756.00 Annually
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Department: Health & Human Services Agency - Public Health
Opening Date: 04/21/2026
Closing Date: 05/12/26
Location: 96001, CA
Job Number: 951_HHSA_PH_041726

Description:

CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE SHASTA COUNTY

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY – PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH

ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 2026

SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENT” SECTION REGARDING

POSSESSION OF A VALID CALIFORNIA PUBLIC

HEALTH MICROBIOLOGIST CERTIFICATE

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: MAY 12, 2026 AT 12:00 PM

SALARY INFORMATION

$7,296 - $9,313 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $42.10 - $53.73 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

This position is in the UPEC – Professional bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Health and Human Services Agency

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, with a centralized Administration Services. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

The Public Health Branch focuses on community-wide prevention of communicable disease, chronic disease, injury, substance abuse, family violence, and lead poisoning. Public Health helps the community develop policies and support community environments that encourage healthy behaviors. It promotes nutrition and physical activity, healthy aging, worksite wellness and healthy communities. Public Health is also where the HHSA’s emergency response unit is headquartered, and its laboratory provides testing services for Shasta and numerous other Northern California counties.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general direction of the Public Health Laboratory Director (Lab Director), plans, organizes, and directs the day-to-day operations of the Public Health Laboratory, a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-accredited laboratory performing high complexity testing in compliance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA ‘88); and related duties as assigned. This position fulfills the CLIA ‘88 requirement for a Technical Supervisor for testing in a high complexity laboratory.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Public Health Microbiologist III position differs from the Public Health Microbiologist I and II in that the incumbent is responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operation of the laboratory, ensuring it complies with state and federal regulations regarding testing procedures, and supervising laboratory personnel. The Public Health Microbiologist III position differs from the Lab Director in that the Lab Director position must review and approve laboratory policies, procedures, and quality assurance practices to maintain compliance with regulatory agencies.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be someone with strong experience and training in public health microbiology and possess local health department laboratory experience. They will also be looking to implement strong safety and quality standards for the local public health laboratory. They will employ strong communication skills to ensure the laboratory serves the regional catchment area effectively. They will be eager to oversee the lab staff and lab functions including certification needs and equipment maintenance. The ideal candidate will be a leader interested in developing a strong team through clear communication and high expectations. They will also work to implement standardized processes to ensure smooth laboratory functioning. They will employ a growth-mindset and look for ways to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and strong customer service. The ideal candidate will also possess a California Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Service and be able to meet the current “Technical Supervisor” qualification requirements of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Implements and oversees multiple county public health laboratory services and activities; reviews, recommends and implements policy and procedural changes; analyzes statistical and fiscal data and operational problems to develop operating procedures for laboratory programs and functions; ensures that the physical plant and environmental conditions of the laboratory are appropriate for the testing performed; provides a safe environment in which employees are protected from physical, chemical and biological hazards; ensures that verification procedures used are adequate to determine the accuracy, precision, and other pertinent performance characteristics of the method; ensures that the laboratory personnel are performing the test methods as required for accurate and reliable results; ensures that proficiency testing samples are tested as required, that the results are returned within the time frames established by the proficiency testing program, and that all proficiency testing reports are reviewed by the Lab Director to evaluate the laboratory’s performance and to identify any problems that require corrective actions; implements an approved corrective action plan when any proficiency testing result is found to be unacceptable or unsatisfactory, or when a deficiency is noted by the staff at the California Department of Health Services, and notifies the Public Health Branch Director and Health Officer of the deficiency; ensures quality control and quality assurance programs are established and maintained; ensures that reports of test results include pertinent information required for interpretation; ensures that consultation is available to the laboratory’s clients on matters relating to the quality of the test results reported and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions; consults with and acts as a reference for physicians, clinical laboratories, and other divisions of Shasta County HHSA-Public Health Branch; provides training and consultation to local clinical laboratories in handling of potential bioterrorist agents; supervises, motivates, and assists laboratory staff in resolving complex and/or technical problems; assists in preparing annual laboratory budget and operates within budgetary constraints; identifies potential funding sources and prepares proposals for contracts and grants; recommends laboratory services and fees in consultation with the Lab Director and other appropriate department staff; oversees inventory control, fiscal controls, and preventive maintenance; performs laboratory testing; works collaboratively with other department programs to provide laboratory services to all divisions as necessary; and performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Knowledge of:

Bacteriological, serological, mycological, parasitological, virological, and other microbiological principles; laws, regulations and standards pertaining to public health laboratories; techniques, equipment and terminology used in the examination of body fluids and tissues, foods and water; proper laboratory safety precautions and procedures; current trends and concepts in public health microbiology and the general field of public health; causes and modes of transmission of communicable disease; basic principles of administration and supervision.

Ability to:

Operate a public health laboratory program; perform complex laboratory tests and examinations; maintain proper laboratory safety precautions, procedures, and quality assurance; prepare clear and concise programmatic and fiscal records and reports; set up and operate laboratory equipment; detect equipment malfunctions and substitute alternative testing methods; interpret laws, regulations and standards pertaining to health and chemical laboratories and related facilities; analyze and implement policies and procedures; supervise laboratory personnel (assist in hiring; train, motivate, evaluate, and assist in any disciplinary process as appropriate);actively promote the Public Health Department’s mission and population-based health outcomes orientation; establish and maintain excellent interpersonal relations with a diverse range of people and agencies; establish and maintain a strong customer service perspective and teamwork approach; identify and solve laboratory technical and administrative problems efficiently; and provide innovative and strategic leadership on behalf of Public Health Lab services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Four (4) years of increasingly more responsible work comparable to a Public Health Microbiologist II with Shasta County AND demonstrated ability to meet the core competencies for this position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the UPEC – Professional Unit.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 12:00 p.m., on May 12, 2026.A resume and/or cover letter will be accepted in addition to the application but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as “Refer to resume and/or cover letter,” or “See attached resume and/or cover letter.” The application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will not be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered.

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion in the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.

Veterans' Credit:Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran must provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) with the employment application on or before the final filing date. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting Fair Chance Act | CRD.

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515

Benefits:

NOTE: Various bargaining units may have benefits that alter from this general summary. This summary of benefits is not a binding document and is provided as a courtesy. Refer to labor agreements (MOUs) for specific benefit information.

THESE BENEFITS DO NOT APPLY TO EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES

Holidays:

• 12 paid holidays (96 hours) per year.
• 1 Floating holiday annually.
  

Vacation:

• 10 working days a year during the first three years of service.
• 15 working days a year - 4 through 9 years of service.
• 17 working days a year - 10 through 15 years of service.
• 20 working days a year - 16 or more years of service.

Note - accrued vacation leave may not be used until after three months of employment. For purposes of vacation accrual, a working day is no more than 8 hours.

Employees may elect to receive a payment for Vacation hours (in lieu of use) for up to eighty hours – in five whole hour increments – of accrued vacation. *Subject to criteria as outlined in section 13.9C in the UPEC-Professional MOU.
Sick Leave:

• 96 hours of sick leave are earned each year with no maximum accrual.
  • Employees terminating in good standing after completion of 5 years of continuous service will receive a pro-rata payoff of accumulated sick leave.
  • Unused sick leave may be converted to PERS service credit upon retirement.

Note - sick leave may be used immediately as accrued. Accrued paid leave benefits are used in conjunction with FMLA/CFRA as appropriate.

*Vacation and Sick Leave accruals are based on regularly scheduled working hours. Additional time will not be accrued on hours worked over 80 hours within a one pay period.
Bereavement:

• 24 hours of paid leave for each non-concurrent death in the immediate family.
  

Health Plan:
Shasta County contracts with PERS for medical insurance.
Depending on the plan selected, the County pays mostof the employee premium, and contributes a portion of the dependent premium.
Contributions are made for a portion of a retiree's insurance premium.

Dental Plan:
The County pays a portion of the employee's and dependents' premium for dental insurance. The employee pays the full premium during the first six months of coverage.

Vision Plan:
The County pays the employee premium and employees may enroll dependents at their own expense.

Life Insurance:
The County pays the premium for life insurance for most employees. The amount of coverage varies by bargaining unit. For UPEC-Professional employees the current coverage amount is $25,000.

Additional Life insurance is available to purchase through Aflac and The Standard.

Retirement:
The County is in the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) coordinated with Social Security.

• Members hired prior to May 8, 2011 are covered under the retirement formula of 2% @ 55 benefit.
• Members hired after May 8, 2011 but before January 1, 2013 are covered under the retirement formula of 2% @ 60 benefit.
• Members hired after January 1, 2013 are covered under the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) with a benefit formula of 2% @ 62.

Please review the specific MOU for stipulated retirement formulas.

Employees pay 8.5% of his or her salary, on a pre-tax basis for a period of time as specified in his or her labor contract, or Personnel Rules as appropriate. Members hired prior to 2013 may have a different contribution percentage.

Miscellaneous:

• Deferred Compensation plans available through specified companies with employer match up to 3%.
• IRC Section 125 plan available for pre-tax payroll deductions for contributions towards un-reimbursed medical expenses and dependent care.
• Reimbursement to employees for the cost of certifications or licenses required for their positions and required to perform the essential functions of their job.
• Attorney’s Time off (ATO) eighty hours per calendar year (prorated) to full-time Attorneys in this MOU. This can be cashed out under the annual vacation cash out provision provided in 13.9.c.2.
• Optional additional insurance products are available through Aflac.
• Employee Assistance Program through ACI Specialty Benefits.
• Golden State Finance Authority – Down payment Assistance
• ScholarShare 529 – College Savings Plan
• Longevity Pay eligibility review with at least ten years of continuous service with Shasta County
  
  

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Any information on this page or links is subject to change without notice.

Shasta County Personnel
1450 Court Street, Room 348
Redding, CA 96001-1676
(530) 225-5515

Comments, please email: schr@shastacounty.gov

Questions:

Required Question

Employer: County of Shasta
Address: 1450 Court Street, Suite 348 Redding, California, 96001
Phone: (530) 225-5515
Website: https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel