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Microbiologist I, Microbiologist Laboratory Technician

State of Oregon, Fish & Wildlife-Fish Division, Corvallis, Oregon

Make a Difference in Natural Resources! ODFW Mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

• This position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at the Corvallis Fish Health Services Laboratory at Oregon State University.
• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.
• The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement and State cost reduction directives, including mandatory unpaid time off (MUTO) days due to budgetary constraints. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.
• You must submit your application online. Paper applications will not be accepted. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Microbiologist Laboratory Technician will be responsible for the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) based BKD segregation program at various Columbia River tributaries, Coastal and High Desert Fish hatcheries. This involves sampling at hatcheries, processing samples in the laboratory and running ELISA tests. S/he will compile, record and summarize test data for evaluation by the fish pathologist and fish culture personnel. The Microbiologist Laboratory Technician will also assist with the monitoring of fish health at Oregon's public fish hatcheries, conduct diagnostic lab tests on diseased fish from rivers and lakes and participate in research studies at the Oregon State University's John L. Fryer Salmon Disease Laboratory to find methods of fish disease control. Complex microbiological lab procedures are conducted to identify and isolate viral, bacterial and parasitic fish pathogens. Histopathology, tissue culture and various other techniques are used to study causes of fish losses. Major duties and responsibilities are to:

• Use ELISA methods to determine levels of Renibacterium salmoninarum antigen in juvenile and adult fish. Apply technology to broodstock segregation programs in conventional and captive broodstock programs.

• Collect appropriate tissue samples from juvenile and adult fish at hatcheries, lakes, and streams; transport samples to lab and perform microbiological, virological, serological and hematological procedures to assay samples for fish pathogens.

• Record results of lab tests, summarize data, and enter information onto a computer database. Consult and keep fish health specialists and other staff informed of lab test results.

• Conduct analyses for bacterial fish pathogens by preparing bacteriological culture media, inoculation of tissue samples onto media, examination of resulting growth and identification of organisms; prepare and stain tissue and examine for bacteria using light microscopy or fluorescent antibody methods.

• Compile and summarize data for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Assist in preparation of annual reports.

• Train and assign daily work to seasonal employees assisting with broodstock ELISA sampling programs and other adult and juvenile fish health monitoring activities.

• Identify parasites using the microscope including the use of concentration methods such as the enzyme digest for Myxobolus cerebralis whirling disease spores. Assay for viral inclusions in the blood of fish by fixing, staining, and examining blood smears under the microscope.

• Prepare lab reagents and media. Clean and maintain the lab and lab equipment. Operate an autoclave to sterilize reagents as well as to properly dispose of laboratory waste. Schedule and arrange for the pick-up of lab hazardous waste. Schedule and drop off motor vehicles for maintenance.

• May assist in projects with graduate and undergraduate students by training them with the necessary skills to identify fish pathogens. Use the ELISA system and other lab techniques and equipment. Teach immunology/ELISA lab section for Fish Disease short course. Assist with and teach fish anatomy classes at elementary schools and outdoor education programs.

Working Conditions:

• Requires frequent travel to field and fish culture facilities, at times during adverse weather conditions.

• Requires handling chemicals to conduct laboratory tests.

• Requires repetitive use of hands during the collection of kidney tissue from adult and juvenile fish, de-fleshing fish heads or head cores and during sample processing with rolling pin, sample tube labeling and pipetting.

• Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours.

NOTE: You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will check driving records for in-state finalists. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current driving record for review.

NOTE: Within three-days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

QUALIFICATIONS & DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree with advanced courses in Microbiology, Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Fisheries and/or Wildlife Science, Bacteriology, Chemistry, and/or other biological fields that shows knowledge of microbiology theory, principles, and practices and laboratory procedures, equipment, and instruments; OR

• An equivalent combination of training and experience.
Note: Typically the equivalency can be acquired through three years of microbiological laboratory experience.

Your application materials must clearly describe how you meet these qualifications. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported in the "Work Experience" section of your Oregon E-Recruit application.

NOTE: A copy of all transcripts (if education is required to qualify) must be attached at the time of application in order to receive credit for college degrees or coursework. Transcripts must include coursework and indicate that a degree was conferred. Online transcripts are acceptable. Official or original transcripts are not required; however, they may be required to validate education.

Desired Attributes:

Preference will be given to applicants with experience:

• Monitoring fish health, identifying fish pathogens or sampling fish for the identification of fish pathogens

• Setting up and running an ELISA assay

• Identifying Renibacterium salmoninarum or other bacteria by light microscopy or fluorescent antibody techniques and other fish pathogens

• With precision and accuracy and producing valid results

• Collecting tissue samples and tracking individual samples through a diagnostic procedure

• Collecting tissue samples from juvenile and/or adult fish, performing bacteriological, hematological and/or serological procedures to assay these samples for the presence of pathogens

• Preparing samples for Renibacterium salmoninarum testing and conducting fluorescent antibody tests and the BKD ELISA assay

• Recording results of field or laboratory tests, summarizing data and preparing reports

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the "Work Experience" section in your Oregon E-Recruit application or you may not be considered for this position.

Resumes will not replace the completed "Work Experience" section in your online application. You may be disqualified if your work experience does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. Only those individuals who most closely match the desired attributes will be invited to an interview.

Only complete applications will be considered. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Late submissions will not be accepted. If you need assistance with adding attachments to your profile or to a specific job posting please go to Adding and Removing Attachments to a Profile and Job Posting (http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/STJOBS/docs/addingremovingattachments.pdf) for further instructions. This quick help guide can also be found on the State Jobs Page by clicking in the Applicant E-Recruit FAQ's then click on Applicant Profile Maintenance.

Note: A resume (text or attached) will not be reviewed for work experience unless stated in the job posting that it is a required attachment.

TO APPLY:

To apply, follow the "Apply" link above and complete the Oregon Employment Application online. You must click the 'Confirm' button at the end of the application by the posted close date to be considered for the job posting. All application materials (including transcripts) must be received by the closing date/date posted on this job posting.
YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE BY 11:59 P.M. ON February, 17, 2013.

Interviews: Qualified applicants whose responses most closely match the minimum qualifications and desired attributes for this position will be invited to an interview. If called for an interview, applicants will be asked to sign a reference authorization and release form at the time of interview. Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.

**IMPORTANT NOTICE - Email Addresses Now Required: The state of Oregon is now requiring all applications have a valid email address. If you do not currently have an email address and do not know where to go to get one please refer to our Applicant E-Recruit FAQ's web page. Click on the link below to go directly to question #14 (this question does not show internet providers, actually there are no questions that address this issue) to view several internet providers where you can get a free e-mail account. The state of Oregon does not endorse any particular provider.

Applicant E-Recruit FAQ's: http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/STJOBS/pages/FAQs.aspx

Application Reference Number: ODFW13-0007

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

 

VISIT OUR AGENCY WEBSITE AT:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/hr

OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
3406 Cherry Avenue NE
Salem, OR 97303