THE OPPORTUNITY:

Join the Washington State Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratories (PHL), where science meets purpose. We’re looking for an Environmental Microbiology Supervisor to lead a skilled team advancing the early detection of pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, Legionella, Monkeypox, and West Nile virus. This work directly protects the health of communities across the state.

You’ll also support the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, helping ensure Washington’s iconic shellfish harvests remain safe for everyone to enjoy. This role is fast-paced, and deeply impactful and is perfect for someone who thrives at the intersection of science, leadership, and public service.

This is a hands-on leadership role based onsite at the Public Health Laboratories, where your technical expertise and people-first supervision will help ensure high-quality results, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across multiple testing programs.

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.

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.

About Washington State Department of Health

Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide information to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To accomplish all of these, we collaborate with many partners every day. We help ensure a safer and healthier Washington by: Working to improve health through disease and injury prevention, immunization, and newborn screening Providing health and safety information, education and training so people can make healthy choices Promoting a health and wellness system where we live, learn, work, play and worship Addressing environmental health hazards associated with drinking water, food, air quality and pesticide exposure Protecting you and your family by licensing healthcare professionals, investigating disease outbreaks and preparing for emergencies

Connections working at Washington State Department of Health