Residence Requirements:

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. There is one vacancy at the Erie County Department of Health.

Examples of Duties:

A Laboratory Technologist-Environmental Microbiology  performs a variety of routine and specialized tests in a public health laboratory relative to environmental microbiology including bacteriology, molecular microbiology, virology, parasitology, and vector borne-diseases; 

Conducts routine and specialized tests relative to environmental microbiology and molecular microbiology as they pertain to public health and environmental assessment; Performs routine and special microbiological tests on potable/non-potable water, environmental, industrial, and sewage plant samples;

Performs microscopic examinations, prepares various media, reagents, stains, smears and solutions for specific tests;

Performs rapid molecular laboratory techniques to respond to public health threats and emergencies as part of the federal Laboratory Response Network (LRN);

Participates in public health preparedness development and response to emergencies with the local, state, and federal LRN; Performs routine laboratory activities in a high containment, Biosafety Level 3 laboratory facility;

Performs bacteriology tests; Maintains records and prepares reports of tests and examinations;

Assists in the education and training of other employees;

Sets up, adjusts, cleans and maintains laboratory equipment, instruments and work areas;

Exercises care and safety in handling infectious and biologically active specimens and in using public health laboratory equipment and analytical equipment;

Utilizes laboratory information system software and other electronic programs to assist with laboratory workflow.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: 

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology or Microbiology; or,

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a biological, chemical or physical science and one (1) year of laboratory technologist experience in an environmental, clinical or public health laboratory; or:

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of 42 CFR 73 (“Select Agent Rule”), including, but not limited to successful completion of a Security Risk Assessment (i.e. “background check”) to be conducted by the United States Department of Justice.

Notes:

NOTES: 1. 

1. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements. 2. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.
All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Basic laboratory equipment and glassware

These questions test for knowledge of common laboratory glassware and equipment and their uses.

2. Microbiology

These questions test for knowledge of the general principles of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, and virology. Questions may cover such topics as culturing, staining and examining microorganisms; and biochemical, immunological, serological, and molecular tests to isolate and identify microorganisms.

3. Use, care, and operation of laboratory instruments

These questions test for knowledge of common laboratory instruments. Questions may cover such topics as underlying principles, uses, and advantages of laboratory instrument methodologies; calibration, preventive maintenance, and corrective actions as applied to common laboratory equipment and instruments; and basic statistics as they relate to laboratory analysis and quality control.

4. Virology

These questions test for knowledge of general principles of diagnostic virology and viral immunity; knowledge of laboratory techniques for the isolation of viruses and chlamydiae; principles and applications of biochemical, immunological, serological, and molecular tests for viral identification.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.