Maine Department of Health and Human Services Direct Hire Vacancy Announcement Microbiologist I Virology/Bacteriology

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CODE: 4215        RANGE: 19    ($14.44-$19.30 + 5.5% Stipend)



Value of State-paid Health and Dental Insurance: $341.08 biweekly

Value of State's share of Retirement: 11.54% of pay

**Salary includes a 5.5% stipend

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Opening Date: January 17, 2013	Contact:	L. Hadyniak
Closing Date: February 4, 2013	Telephone:	(207) 287-1887
Location: Augusta

Agency Information

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides supportive, preventive, protective, public health and intervention services that protect the public health and assist our customers in meeting their needs; and assists families in providing for the developmental, health and safety needs of their children. DHHS strives to provide these programs and services while respecting the rights and preferences of individuals and families.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) within which this position is located is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

The purpose of the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory ("HETL"), Microbiology Section, is to isolate, identify, analyze and monitor infectious disease threats, via the testing of clinical specimens from a broad clientele. HETL assists other agencies in the detection and tracking of infectious diseases which threaten the community. Other roles include consultation with other agencies on state policy development and the quality assurance oversight of services provided by the public and private sectors.

Job Duties

As a Microbiologist I in the Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) you will serve as an associate scientist in the Virology/Bacteriology section of the HETL. You will be responsible for assisting the section supervisor in the day to day testing and operations of the Virology section. You will be trained to safely handle various body fluids and other human samples including but not limited to: blood, serum, stool, urine, cerebral spinal fluid, and tissue samples. Training will include blood borne pathogens, chemical hygiene, and experience working within the Virology section to become familiar with specimen handling, specimen logistics, laboratory information management and result reporting.
You may be asked to assist in other sections of the Microbiology division in the day to day operation of tests or in the support of such testing. This aspect of the job will involve becoming knowledgeable with a wide variety of instruments, test methods and reagents and learning data entry in StarLims.
Knowledge and experience in western blot, EIA, IFA, and other serological techniques is strongly recommended. Knowledge of tissue culture used in the identification of viruses is also important for this position. Experience with immunology-based and molecular biology techniques including but not limited to: Real Time PCR, DNA Sequencing, ELISA, Luminex technology, restriction digests, and nucleic acid extractions. This position requires competency using various computer software and hardware, and the ability to work independently.

Requirements

A Bachelors Degree in Microbiology. Responsible experience in microbiology may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis. Preferred candidates will have both the Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in a related microbiological field.

Only post-secondary degrees from a College or University whose accreditation has been granted from a nationally recognized accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education will satisfy educational requirements. Information can be obtained at http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . Applicants with foreign degrees must have them evaluated by the World Education Services for authentication and US equivalency, and must provide that evaluation to Lynn Hadyniak.