Positions in this class are filled by experienced, professional microbiologists whose assignment may be limited to one or two subdisciplines, or encompass many of them, and perform standard procedures under general supervision.  Erratic or atypical findings or findings of unusual import would usually be discussed with a supervisory or consulting microbiologist. 

Establishes procedures for the tests performed within one or more laboratory functional units; prepares detail manuals of all tests performed; establishes quality control standards for the tests performed; has signatory responsibility for results being reported from the laboratory unit;  

Performs microscopic, serological and biochemical procedures on bacteria referred by private or public laboratories for initial identification or confirmation; compiles and maintains records of the characteristics of the organisms identified; 

Processes a variety of clinical specimens to identify pathogenic bacteria;  processes nose and throat cultures to identify such organisms as Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus, Corynebacterium, diptheria, genital specimens for gonococcus; makes preliminary identification on the basis of gross morphology, microscopic examination, and biochemical tests;  

Performs standard procedures such as biochemical differential testing for bacteria identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing, chloroform testing for virus cell walls, serologic testing for antibodies, and testing for antigens;

Isolates and identifies organisms causing food poisoning by using cultural, biochemical, and microscopic analyses; determines toxicity levels in shell fish; tests for botulism toxines in foods by special and specific preparations of materials and intraperitoneal injections into mice;  

Analyzes blood, tissue and fecal specimens to identify parasites such an anaplasma, roundworms, mites, and coccidia;  

Cultures, isolates and identifies M. tuberculosis and related organisms; performs growth rate studies, pigment production studies, biochemical tests and animal inoculation for the purpose of identifying mycobacteria;  

Isolates and identifies bacteria responsible for localized intestinal and systemic diseases such as typhoid fever; analyzes fecal and urine specimens to identify salmonella, shigella or enteropathogenic E. coli; sends reports to submitting physician or laboratory;  

Performs plate counts, coliform counts, somatic cell counts, antibiotic tests, phosphatase tests on dairy and food samples;  

Adopts known methods and procedures to Public Health Laboratory use;  

Supervises other laboratory personnel within the limitations of the laboratory unit, maintains the flow and quality of the work to assure its timeliness; makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities; instructs Microbiologists 1, Laboratory Technicians or Assistants in specific tasks and job techniques; 

Serves in training programs for students in microbiology, medical technology or medicine; explains, discusses and demonstrates proper microbiological procedures;  

Supervises the analysis of suspect animal tissues for rabies virus; works with special reagents containing live rabies virus;  

Supervises and performs mouse inoculations and uses serological procedures such as complement fixation (C-F) hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) neutralization and ELIZA to diagnose or determine the presence of viruses;

Supervises and performs bacteriological testing of foods, waters and food-related specimens suspected of causing food-borne illness or for determining their bacteriological quality;  

Supervises and performs screening tests for genetic disorders such as PKU, Sickle Cell Anemia and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH); 

Supervises and performs Mouse Bioassay and HPLC testing on shellfish to determine the presence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins;

Supervises and performs specialized testing for salmonella, typhoid, shigella, cholera and other enteric organisms causing intestinal disease;  

Supervises and performs serological techniques of syphillis, chlamydia, bacterial antigens and antibodies; 

Supervises and performs definitive identification or organisms that cause local or systemic disease such as diptheria, meningitis, fungi, legionlella, etc.; 

Maintains leptospira cultures and prepares letospira antigens of several serotypes for leptospirosis serology;  

Determines proper disposition of tissue specimens to ensure a rapid diagnosis of pathogens;  

Explains, discusses, and demonstrates proper microbiological procedures for students in veterinary science microbiology, medical technology or medicine; 

Inoculate mice and use serological procedures such as complement fixation (C-F) hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) neutralization and ELIZA to diagnose or determine the presence of viruses; 

Performs the work of Microbiologist 1; 

May supervise or direct the work of others; 

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of:  pathogenic bacteria, viruses and rickettsia; serologic diagnosis; water and milk bacteriology, virology, and chemistry; parasitology; mycology; immunology; laboratory terminology, techniques, and equipment; standard analyses and microscopic examinations used in diagnosis of communicable diseases; microbiology research methods and requirements; report preparation; sources of data on current microbiology research.   

Ability to:  supervise and train others; perform laboratory analyses and microscopic examinations; understand and follow oral and written instructions and formulae; make standard tests with professionally reliable results; read tests and interpret results; adapt tests described in professional journals to use in the laboratory. 

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.  

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor's degree with a major in microbiology or a major in another laboratory science provided that at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology are included.   

AND 

Two years of professional experience in a microbiology laboratory.   

A Master's degree in one of the aforementioned fields may be substituted for one year of experience.   

A Ph.D. degree in one of the aforementioned fields may be substituted for two years of experience. 

OR 

Equivalent education/experience 

For Washington General Service (WGS) Positions Only:  Employees shall be advanced to Microbiologist 2 after completing two years of satisfactory service as a Microbiologist 1.