Public Health Lab Technician

Healthy People - Healthy Community

The Health and Social Services Department's responsibilities include providing health, mental health, substance abuse and social services to the community as well as administering federal, state and local public assistance programs.  

The Public Health Services Division believes that health is all about people, where they live, learn, work, and play. From our staff to our clients, we provide people with the tools they need to maintain and improve their health. The services we provide are incredibly diverse and include such activities as conducting public health nurse home visits for moms and babies, providing medical care in our clinics, and much more. You will not find a more committed group of people than public health workers. It takes a special kind of dedication to enter the public health field. Our passion is promoting health, livable communities and healthy lifestyles. As a result, we care for individuals and the community with compassion and respect.      

The Public Health Laboratory Program is very critical to the function of the Public Health and Environmental Programs of Solano County. Our lab emphasizes services to support epidemiologic investigations and programs to prevent and control infectious diseases and pollution of air, water, and food.  It supports disease prevention, which tends to keep hospital beds and clinic visits to a minimum. The specimens for release of cases or carrier of the following communicable diseases are sent to the public health laboratory:  Amoebiasis, Diphtheria, Plague, Animal Rabies, Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Typhoid Fever, Tuberculosis, and Sexually Transmitted Disease.

The Public Health Laboratory Technician assists the Public Health Microbiologists by preparing equipment supplies and culture media and performing or initiating routine biological tests; weighs, prepares, and sterilizes culture media and reagents for testing and performs courier services. 

To review the full class specification which includes examples of duties, please visit http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15975

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

Some laboratory experience desirable.      

Education/Training:

High school diploma or equivalent with vocational or technical school training in environmental technology, chemistry, biology or related field.    

Special Requirements:  Independent travel may be required. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C California driver’s license may be required.  

Candidates for employment may be required to sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting as a condition of employment.   

Solano County offers a comprehensive benefit package to full and part-time employees which includes a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits offered through CalPERS. Health insurance is effective the first of the month following the date of hire.

The County contributes 75% of the Kaiser family rate for the Bay area. Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.  

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement, and contributes to Social Security.   Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 78 full time pay periods (approximately 3 years). Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year. Additionally, the County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.  

To review complete benefits information, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16512

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best qualified applicants will be invited for further examination. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a written and/or practical exam, an oral interview, or any combination listed. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

All potential new hires (including new contract employees) and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (e.g. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, certificates, DD-214) must be submitted with a document cover sheet, available on the County's employment website: http://www.jobaps.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the of Human Resources’ office, and are due by the final filing date. Previously submitted application materials for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.  

Questions can be directed to the Human Resources Department at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA

All applicants must submit a copy of their college diploma (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed) by the final filing date. Candidates who fail to submit their diploma or transcripts (if required) by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person, by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA 94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email at recruitment@solanocounty.com.  When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (e.g., Office Assistant II) and the recruitment number (e.g., 12-123456-01).

Supplemental Questionnaire: In addition to your application, this Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and whether they will continue in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely.  Omitted information will not be considered or assumed.  Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

1.  Describe in detail your experience working in a Public Health Laboratory. 

2.  Describe in detail your experience performing environmental, water or food testing.

3.  Describe in detail your experience working in a clinical or research laboratory.

4.  Describe in detail your experience transporting, packaging or shipping laboratory specimens.

5.  Have you completed vocational or technical school training in environmental technology, chemistry, biology or related field? Lst the vocational or technical school trianing courses in environmental technology, chemistry, biology or related field that you have completed:

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.  A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE, MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF APPLICATION.  Applicants who have a service connected disability must submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.  Disability must be rated at least 10% to be eligible for disabled veteran's points. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined grade.  Disabled veterans shall have 10 points added to their combined grade.  Veteran scores will only be added to passing scores. 

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need special testing arrangements, must contact the Solano County Department of Human Resources at (707)784-6170, to obtain a Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form.  This form must be received in the Human Resources Department within five (5) days from the final filing date of the recruitment.  Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Located 45 miles northeast of San Francisco and 45 miles southwest of Sacramento, Solano County is home to rolling hills, waterfronts and fertile farmland.

Solano offers a blend of agriculture, corporate business, cultural venues, festivals and events, and provides residents with many recreation and entertainment choices. The County is also home to Travis Air Force Base.

With its strategic location, affordable housing, natural resources, responsible land use planning, and attractive quality of life, Solano County is a great place to live, learn, work and play.

County Population (January 2012): 413,786

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.  

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER