Microbiologist I/II (2463) - Department of Public Health (157433)

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) Disease Prevention and Control Department is accepting applications in class 2463 Microbiologist I/II to work for the San Francisco Public Health Laboratories. This class utilizes the deep class concept and encompasses multiple levels of responsibility. Note that the roles listed below are cumulative. For example Level II incumbents may be directed to perform any of the duties described in Level I.

The two levels are summarized below:

1. Level I - Under general supervision conducts bacteriologic parasitologic serologic and related laboratory tests and examinations.
2. Level II - Under direction performs responsible laboratory work in the difficult phases of bacteriologic parasitologic serologic and related laboratory tests and examinations; supervises subordinate personnel.

The essential functions of the role include but are not limited to the following:

Microbiologist Level I

1. Performs qualitative and quantitative and microscopic slide agglutination tests and Kolmer complement fixation tests for syphilis and other diseases; prepares necessary reagents and equipment used in connection therewith.
2. Performs quantitative tube agglutination tests for the laboratory diagnosis of typhoid tularemia and other diseases.
3. Performs biochemical and agglutination tests to determine the presence of disease causing bacteria in foods and body waste materials; prepares specimens and uses microscope in the examination of slides of smears and concentrates of acid-fast bacilli; examines various smears and cultures with microscope for laboratory diagnosis.
4. Performs standard tests to determine presence of harmful bacteria in milk dairy products drinking water sewage shellfish and other materials.
5. Performs various duties in connection with the setting up care and maintenance of laboratory equipment; tabulates and maintains records of laboratory tests for examinations performed and submits detailed reports thereon.

Microbiologist Level II

1. Performs qualitative and quantitative Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) slide flocculation tests and Kolmer complement fixation tests on blood samples for the detection of syphilis and other diseases; groups and labels specimens and records test results on appropriate forms.
2. Performs cultural examinations for gonococcal infections on cultures received from clinics or institutions.
3. Performs the direct or the formalin-ether sedimentation tests on body wastes in order to determine the presence of various parasites; examines animal remains for presence of rabies.
4. Employs bacteriological examination of body wastes in order to determine the presence of exterior diseases; receives and examines body fluids wastes and pathological material by means of smear tests and cultural examinations in order to determine the presence of tubercle bacilli; prepares and examines vaginal in rape cases.
5. Oversees the setting up and maintenance of laboratory equipment preparation of solutions reagents and other media maintenance of accurate and detailed laboratory records and the preparation of and submission of reports.

The 2463 Microbiologist I/II may perform other duties as assigned/required.

Qualifications :

Level I:

• License and Certification: A valid certificate as a public health microbiologist issued by the state board of health.

Level II:

• License and Certification: A valid certificate as a public health microbiologist issued by the state board of health.
• Experience: Four (4) years of experience as a microbiologist.
  • Substitution:
    • 1. A Masters degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in medical or public health bacteriology or microbiology may substitute for two (2) of the required years of experience.
    • 2. A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in medical or public health bacteriology or microbiology may substitute for three (3) of the required years of experience.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. 

One-year fulltime employment is equivalent to 2000 hours (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week).

Important Note: Please make sure it is absolutely clear in your application exactly how you meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Please be aware that any misrepresentation of this information may disqualify you from this recruitment or future job opportunities.

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted online at .

Our e-mail communications may come from more than one department so please make sure your email is set to accept messages from all of us at this  must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. 

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment. Please consider using a personal email address that you check regularly rather than a work or school account.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

This is a Position-Based Test (PBT) administered in accordance with Civil Service Rule 111A.

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement including requirements time periods and other particulars except when superseded by federal state or local laws rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at  The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is abuse of discretion or no rational basis for establishing the position description the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date. 

Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco: 

• Information about the Hiring Process 
• Conviction History 
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Workers
• Reasonable Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process please contact the analyst Hanz Pagao at  or . 

We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. The first message will ask you to opt in to text messaging.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex race age religion color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition (associated with cancer a history of cancer or genetic characteristics) HIV/AIDS status genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression military and veteran status or other protected category under the law.