🚀 Environmental Microbiology Supervisor (Microbiologist 4) DOH8723

Public Health Laboratories, Shoreline, WA | Onsite/In Person | PROJECT

This PROJECT position is funded through July 31, 2027

Environmental Microbiology Supervisor (Microbiologist 4)

Our mission is simple yet powerful: we protect and improve the health of every person in our state. Our Public Health Laboratories (PHL) play a vital role, providing cutting‑edge testing and surveillance that keeps communities safe from emerging pathogens and environmental threats.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a talented team of environmental microbiologists, ensuring training, performance, and quality standards are met.
• Oversee day‑to‑day laboratory operations, including quality control, proficiency testing, and accreditation compliance (CAP, FDA, ISO 17025).
• Plan and review validation studies, maintain safety practices, and keep laboratory methods and SOPs current.
• Manage multiple budgets, grants, and contracts to ensure resources align with program goals and deliverables.
• Participate directly in laboratory work when needed — from testing to troubleshooting and staff training.
• Collaborate across the Public Health Laboratories to share expertise, support other teams, and advance cross‑disciplinary public health initiatives.

Why You’ll Love This Role

At DOH, you’ll find purpose in every project. You’ll be part of a mission‑driven agency that values equity, collaboration, and innovation and you’ll see the results of your work reflected in the health and safety of communities statewide.

The Ideal Candidate

You’re a thoughtful and collaborative leader who thrives in both science and strategy. You enjoy mentoring others, improving systems, and seeing the direct public health impact of your work. You balance precision with practicality, knowing when to roll up your sleeves at the bench and when to take the long view on budgets, methods, and team development.

We value all relevant experience and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Your experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. You must meet at least ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.

Required Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in microbiology, or in another laboratory science that includes at least 20 semester (or 30 quarter) credit hours in microbiology, AND six (6) years of experience working in a microbiology laboratory, OR four (4) years of experience as a Microbiologist 3.

• A master’s degree in microbiology or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• A Ph.D. in microbiology or a closely related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Experience performing, troubleshooting, developing, validating, and verifying molecular methods for infectious diseases (qPCR, ddPCR, sequencing).
• Ability to clearly share technical information with both scientific peers and the general public, in writing and in conversation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in mathematics, including statistical analysis.

Preferred/Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Experience identifying mosquito and/or tick species using morphological keys and microscopy, with knowledge of public‑health‑relevant vectors (for example, Aedes, Culex, Ixodes). Familiarity with insect collection, preservation, and surveillance methods.
• Experience identifying and characterizing human pathogenic viruses using molecular methods (such as PCR, RT‑PCR, or sequencing). Knowledge of viral taxonomy, biosafety practices, and laboratory methods for detecting viruses important to public health (for example, enteric viruses, arboviruses, or respiratory viruses).

About Us

The Public Health Laboratories – Where Science Protects Communities

At the Public Health Laboratories, every test matters. From hunting emerging pathogens to ensuring every newborn in the state gets life‑saving screenings, your work drives disease detection, outbreak response, and protects Washington’s most vulnerable. We’re the state’s reference lab, tracking rare threats like rabies, hantavirus, and West Nile virus, analyzing outbreaks, and safeguarding food and water safety. Here, science meets service in a collaborative, equity‑driven team committed to real‑world impact and public health at scale.

We are the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). We’re nearly 2,000 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience. At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We’re passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. To learn more about the DOH please visit our website and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and our blog.

Benefits and Lifestyle

We prioritize your work‑life balance with one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, designed to support your lifestyle. At DOH, you’ll find flexibility, growth, and stability. Learn more about why we’re a great place to work by visiting

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The position involves the following, with or without reasonable accommodation:

Work Setting, including hazards

• Work performed on‑site in a microbiological and chemical laboratory environment.
• Tasks involve handling highly pathogenic organisms; some vaccinations are required for safety.
• Work performed in biosafety cabinets, at laboratory benches, PCR suites, and occasionally within fume hoods.
• May involve proximity to radioactive materials; appropriate personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection, is required.
• Standing for up to four hours at a time while processing samples.
• Laboratory lighting and ventilation are adequate for work performed indoors.

Schedule

• Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Occasional weekend work may be required.
• May work more than 40 hours per week or outside normal hours during outbreaks, public health emergencies, or other urgent events.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional travel, typically one to three times per year, for training or conferences.
• Travel may include out‑of‑state trips.
• Must be able to legally operate a state or personal vehicle or provide alternate transportation for state business.
• Uses standard and specialized laboratory equipment such as incubators, water baths, microscopes, and PCR instruments.
• Regular use of computers and laboratory information systems for data entry and reporting.
• PPE is required for all laboratory activities, including gloves, gowns, and respiratory protection when indicated.

Customer Interactions

• Frequent communication with clinical and environmental laboratories, specimen submitters, epidemiologists, local and state health officials, and laboratory staff from other states.
• Provides results and technical information to Department of Health programs such as Shellfish, Drinking Water, and external clients including Washington State Ferries, the University of Washington, and shellfish growers.

Other

• Appropriate laboratory attire and PPE are required during all lab activities.
• Participation in emergency response activities, including training and actual events, as part of the Department of Health’s first response responsibilities.
• Representation: This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Application Information

We’re committed to a fair and equitable hiring process. Only materials submitted through the official application will be considered. Emailed resumes or documents won’t be accepted or shared with the hiring manager.

Click “Apply” to complete your application. Attach your resume, cover letter, and DD‑214 (if applicable). List at least three professional references directly in your Applicant Profile including a supervisor, a peer, and someone you’ve supervised or led (if applicable).

Do NOT include private details like your SSN or birth year, personal photos, transcripts, certifications, diplomas, projects, portfolios, or letters of recommendation with your application.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We regard diversity as the foundation of our strength, recognizing that differing insights and abilities enable us to reflect the unique needs of the communities we serve.

DOH is an equal‑opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on race/ethnicity/color, creed, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, national origin, marital status, the presence or perception of a disability, veteran’s status, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD‑214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and birth year.

Questions and Accommodations

If you have questions, need assistance with the application process, require an accommodation, or would like to request this posting in an alternative format, please contact Shawnelle Goalder at and reference the assigned “DOHXXXX” recruitment number.

Technical Support

Reach out to NEOGOV directly at 1‑855‑524‑5627 for technical support and login issues.

This recruitment may be used to fill positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the candidate pool may be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in‑full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.

Experience and education selected, listed, or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the submitted applicant profile.

This position is located in King County. A 5% salary increase is included in the advertised pay.

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