Lead Microbiologist

What You Will Do:

By joining our team, you’ll contribute to a statewide effort to prevent and control disease outbreaks, ensuring a healthier future for all Washingtonians.

Join a mission-driven team dedicated to protecting the health of Washington communities. As the Lead Microbiologist for the Enteric Bacteriology Laboratory, you’ll play a critical role in identifying and responding to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses like Salmonella, E. coli, and Shigella. You’ll oversee day-to-day lab operations, guide and train laboratory staff, ensure the quality and accuracy of testing, and collaborate with public health partners across the state. Your leadership will directly support timely, accurate data that helps protect thousands of people from infectious diseases.

Key Responsibilities:

Training & Competency Oversight

• Conduct initial and ongoing training for lab staff across all relevant testing methods.
• Perform and document competency assessments at required intervals.
• Deliver remedial training as needed to maintain performance standards.
• Ensure all training documentation meets compliance requirements.

Quality Control & Results Review

• Review daily, weekly, and batch quality control data.
• Validate and release test results to submitting stakeholders.
• Investigate and resolve quality control issues through root cause analysis.
• Provide responsive customer service to internal and external partners.

Technical Expertise & Support

• Serve as a subject matter expert to lab staff and stakeholders.
• Oversee proper equipment maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Support epidemiologists with laboratory data reporting and tracking.

Bench Testing & Surge Capacity

• Maintain personal proficiency in bench testing methods.
• Provide bench-level testing support during staff shortages or high-demand periods.

New Methods Validation

• Work with lab leadership to implement new testing methodologies.
• Develop and execute validation plans per established guidelines.
• Document validation studies thoroughly and assist with protocol development.

Laboratory Safety Compliance

• Adhere to all safety protocols and practices.
• Report safety incidents and participate in creating a safe lab environment.

Other Duties

• Enter and maintain laboratory data in various systems (e.g., StarLIMS, LabVantage).
• Support cross-training and surge events in other laboratory sections.
• Interact with agencies such as FDA, state epidemiologists, and local health jurisdictions.

What We’re Looking For:

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven professional with strong technical expertise, leadership ability, and a commitment to public health service. You’ll thrive in this role if you bring:

• Extensive experience in clinical or environmental bacteriology, including work with enteric pathogens.
• Proficiency with molecular diagnostic methods, including real-time PCR.
• Knowledge of laboratory regulatory standards such as CLIA, CAP, FDA, or ISO.
• Experience training and mentoring laboratory staff.
• Strong quality control, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, documentation, and data integrity.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners.
• Willingness to participate in emergency response activities when needed.

We value all relevant experience, whether paid or unpaid and your diverse experiences can make a difference in this role. To be considered for this position, you must meet one of the required qualification options listed and any additional qualifications included in the required qualifications section. Experience may have been gained concurrently

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Ten (10) years of experience in a Microbiology or Molecular laboratory including 60 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution which includes either 24 semester hours of medical laboratory technology courses - OR - 24 semester hours of science courses that includes Six (6) semester hours of chemistry, Six (6) semester hours of biology, and Twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology in any combination

AND Laboratory training that meets one of these criteria: Completion of a clinical laboratory training program approved or accredited by the ABHES, the CAHEA, or other organization approved by HHS - OR - At least three (3) months documented laboratory training in each specialty in which the incumbent performs high complexity testing.

Option 2: Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or another biomedical science WHICH INCLUDES at least 20 semester or equivalent quarter credit hours in microbiology, or a subject related to the study of microorganisms, and three (3) years of experience in a microbiology laboratory. 

• A Maters degree will substitute for one (1) year of experience in a microbiology laboratory.
• A PhD will substitute for two (2) years of experience in a microbiology laboratory.

Demonstrated experience in the following:

• Recent experience in a public health or microbiology laboratory performing clinical or environmental bacteriology.
• Experience with real-time PCR and other molecular diagnostic technologies.
• Knowledge of CLIA, CAP, or ISO 15189 quality management systems.
• Ability to train, mentor, and oversee the work of laboratory technical staff.
• Experience developing, evaluating, validating, and implementing new laboratory methods, procedures, and instrumentation.
• Ability to read, synthesize, interpret, and clearly present technical information, both orally and in writing.
• Proficient in reviewing laboratory test results and quality control data.
• Experience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions in response to QC failures or testing errors.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and data entry for laboratory reporting.
• Familiarity with laboratory biosafety practices (BSL-2 or higher).