Microbiologist 1/2/3

Job Description

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

Please check our

residency definition

to determine if you qualify.

This position is being recruited for in Anchorage.

Pay will be determined based on

level

of selected individual.

Microbiologist 1 (Range 14) salary: $2,059.50

Microbiologist 2 (Range 16) salary: $2,365.50

Microbiologist 3 (Range 18) salary: $2,725.50

What you will be doing:

Put your microbiology skills to work protecting Alaska’s food and drinking water. As a Microbiologist 1/2/3 with the Environmental Health Laboratory in Anchorage, you’ll:

Test food, dairy, shellfish, seafood, water, and other samples to support consumer safety and public health.

Contribute laboratory results to foodborne illness investigations and regulatory programs.

Prepare samples, perform testing, and review results to produce accurate, reliable data.

Help keep the laboratory ready for testing through quality checks, media preparation, equipment and workspace decontamination, procedure updates, and animal care.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The Department of Environmental Conservation’s mission is to conserve, improve, and protect Alaska’s natural resources and environment to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of Alaskans. The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) supports this mission by providing analytical and technical information for environmental health programs that monitor air, food, seafood, soil, water, and zoonotic diseases. This position advances that work by performing chemical and microbiological testing that produces accurate, legally defensible data essential for safe food, clean drinking water, and strong public health protections statewide.

The benefits of joining our team:

Build your laboratory skills while doing work that matters to communities across Alaska. You’ll gain hands-on experience with a variety of sample types, opportunities for training and professional development, and experience working both independently and alongside other laboratory professionals. Your work will help protect consumers and support industries that depend on reliable testing.

The working environment you can expect:

The EHL is located in its own building near Anchorage’s U-Med district, offering free parking, access to public transportation, and proximity to Far North Bicentennial Park and Campbell Tract trails with frequent wildlife viewing. The facility includes bike racks, shower amenities, and well-equipped laboratory spaces that support a mix of independent and collaborative work, making it easy to incorporate alternate transportation, lunchtime exercise (walk, run, ski or bike, etc.), or outdoor breaks into your day.

We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:

Adaptability:

adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.

Reasoning:

Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.

Interpersonal Skills:

Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.  Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving:

Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

Quality Assurance:

Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance and quality control used to ensure a procedure fulfills functional requirements and standards.

Special Notice:

This position requires performing a terminal bioassay on live mice and is expected to participate in weekend/holiday rotation for mouse care.

This position will be exposed to pathogenic organisms such as, but not limited to,

E. coli

,

Listeria

,

Salmonella

,

Staphylococcus

,

Vibrio

, and

Brucella

; common allergens including shellfish, crustaceans, rodents, and feathers; as well as dead animals, whole carcasses, tissues, bodily fluids; live animals, including mice and potentially poultry; parasites such as ticks, in specimen containers; and areas where corrosive chemicals such as hydrochloric and nitric acid are used. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

Valid Alaska driver’s license is required

Please email the hiring manager to request the Position Description

The incumbent will receive specific training on lab safety procedures and sample testing from the senior laboratory staff and may attain state or national accreditation to analyze regulatory samples under a controlled analytical environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Microbiologist 1 (Range 14):

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college in microbiology, medical technology, a laboratory science, a biological science, or chemistry, or a closely related field.

Special Note:

Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be immunized against infectious diseases.

Microbiologist 2 (Range 16):

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college in microbiology, medical technology, a laboratory science, a biological science, or chemistry, or a closely related field.

AND

Two years of professional experience performing microbiological tests as a Microbiologist 1 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.

Special Note:

Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be immunized against infectious diseases.

Microbiologist 3 (Range 18):

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college in microbiology, medical technology, a laboratory science, a biological science, or chemistry, or a closely related field.

AND

Two years of journey professional experience performing microbiological testing as a Microbiologist 2 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.

Special Note:

Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be immunized against infectious diseases.

Additional Required Information

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

To demonstrate the required education, please attach transcripts. Unofficial are acceptable, please ensure that the institution and URL name are listed on the transcripts.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW

Three (3) professional references with phone numbers and email addresses.

Last two (2) performance evaluations. A supervisor’s letter of recommendation may be used as a substitute for each evaluation, if unavailable.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED

This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT

The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

THIS RECRUITMENT IS FOR ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY

Please be sure to check our

residency definition

to determine if you qualify.

EDUCATION

To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the