8175C3
Pay Grade: 28
DEFINITION OF WORK
Summary
This is specialized, administrative work in microbiology for a laboratory.
Work involves responsibility for supervising a specialized unit of a laboratory section and/or for performing highly specialized microbiological laboratory tests that require special knowledge, training, and skills. Work includes training and supervising staff, reviewing and monitoring work, and providing technical assistance to co-workers.
Standard Classification Factors
Supervision Received - Level D: "Under general direction…" Employees at this level are usually in charge of a large and important organizational unit. They plan and carry out assignments with little supervision. They report regularly to a superior, usually by means of occasional conferences, to discuss work progress or new problems which require advice from above. This designation will pertain to classes with a high order of independence.
Difficulty - LEVEL C: Considerable… Duties which require a high degree of concentration because of the many factors which must be considered and weighed before a decision can be reached. Usually positions that require planning, developing, and coordinating programs and directing fairly large groups of people fall into this category.
Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation.
Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.
Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills are required.
Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area.
Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible.
Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL D: Involves administrative supervision responsibility. As a "first line supervisor", the primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects.
Distinguishing Features
Differs from the Microbiologist II class in which the incumbents perform professional microbiological work through a variety of standard and advanced microbiological analyses of clinical or environmental specimens.
Differs from the Senior Laboratory Scientist class where incumbents direct, plan and organize major laboratory investigations or analytical operations and supervise operational laboratory programs.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Supervises subordinate professional and technical staff; schedules work as necessary to meet demands.
Reviews and evaluates results of tests performed by laboratory staff members in the assigned microbiology unit.
Instructs laboratory staff in methods and techniques; assures that analyses are conducted according to prescribed methods and accepted standards of laboratory practice.
Performs and conducts applied research to develop new or improved methods, techniques and procedures for laboratory analyses.
Maintains, reviews and evaluates quality assurance measures to ensure adequate quality control samples have been completed to assess quality of laboratory data; suggests and initiates corrective measures.
Performs special microbiological procedures and reports and interprets results to other agency staff as requested.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS
Knowledge
*Knowledge of the principles and laboratory practices of microbiology.
*Knowledge of laboratory methods and techniques in microbiology such as ELISA, RIA, and genetic probes.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, training and organization.
*Knowledge of quality assurance programs, quality control procedures, and appropriate statistical methods for microbiology.
*Knowledge of technical information and literature resources in microbiology.
*Knowledge of modern microbiology laboratory materials, equipment, safety procedures, and laboratory computer usage.
Abilities
*Ability to supervise.
*Ability to perform difficult and specialized analysis with accuracy and precision.
*Ability to assist in the development of new or improved methods/techniques for use in laboratory analysis.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
*Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
*Ability to use and care for complex laboratory instruments.
*Ability to prepare scientifically accurate and thorough reports.
*Necessary at Entry
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree in microbiology and independent work
experience in microbiology and leadership ability at the lead work level.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Some positions in this class may require a Bachelor's Degree in Biology or
Chemistry or a Bachelor's Degree in a related field and accompanying experience may be substituted.
NC: 06/93
REV: 12/95
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 06/03
REV: 08/03