Microbiology Certification Officer (Microbiologist 3, PCN 187233)
Salary: $36.34 Hourly
Location : Anchorage, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 56002
Department: Environmental Conservation
Division: DEH-Laboratory Services
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Environmental Health
Position Open To: Alaska Residents Only
Bargaining Unit: General Government
Range: 18
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.
What you will be doing:
- Protect Public Health Across Alaska: Lead a statewide program certifying drinking water laboratories to ensure accurate, reliable microbiological testing and protect the health and safety of Alaskans.
- Serve as a Technical Expert and Field Auditor: Conduct on-site audits of laboratories throughout Alaska, evaluate testing practices, and provide expert guidance to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
- Drive Laboratory Quality and Continuous Improvement: Partner with laboratory managers and technical staff to identify deficiencies, strengthen quality assurance and quality control, and improve testing methods, accuracy, and efficiency.
- Shape Statewide Laboratory Standards and Programs: Develop and interpret certification criteria, coordinate with the EPA and state program partners, and contribute technical expertise to drinking water, dairy, and cannabis laboratory oversight.
- Make a Meaningful Impact Through Diverse Scientific Work: Apply your microbiology and laboratory quality expertise across multiple industries while supporting training, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in Alaska's environmental health programs.
Our organization, mission, and culture:
The Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC's) mission is to conserve, improve, and protect Alaska's natural resources and environment to enhance the health, safety, economic, and social well-being of Alaskans. The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) is a collaborative, science-driven team committed to producing accurate, legally defensible data that supports safe food, drinking water, and environmental health statewide. This position plays an important role in maintaining accountability, data quality, regulatory compliance, and public trust in laboratory operations.
The benefits of joining our team:
As a member of the EHL team, you will work alongside dedicated scientific and technical professionals who value collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This position offers opportunities to expand technical expertise in laboratory operations, quality systems, regulatory compliance, data management, and laboratory information systems. Staff are supported through training, cross-functional learning opportunities, and participation in process improvement initiatives that directly impact public and environmental health in Alaska. The work is meaningful, mission-driven, and contributes to protecting communities statewide.
The working environment you can expect:
The Environmental Health Laboratory is located in Anchorage near the U-Med district and provides a professional, team-oriented work environment focused on scientific excellence, data quality, and public service. Daily work includes coordination with laboratory scientists, clients, and regulatory partners in a fast-paced setting that supports statewide environmental and public health testing programs.
We are looking for a candidate that has experience in the following areas:
- Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- Compliance Inspection: Knowledge of the guidelines, regulations, and procedures associated with compliance inquiries, including application of compliance rules and criteria and ability to make appropriate decisions and issue citations, fines, or orders
- Quality Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance, quality control, and reliability used to ensure that a project, system, or product fulfills requirements and standards.
- Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, for independent daily tasks. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
- Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Special Notice:
- This position requires frequent travel within the State (approximately one trip monthly), 0-2 nights with travel by commercial planes, small planes or driving a vehicle
- This position requires the successful application, acceptance, out of state travel to attend training, and passing to acquire Federal certifications from the EPA and FDA for retention.
Minimum Qualifications
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
A cover letter is required for this position.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION
- Transcripts, unofficial are acceptable as long as institution and URL are listed
- Please include a cover letter describing in two to three paragraphs, the microbiological methods you have run in a professional setting
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF THE INTERVIEW
- Three (3) professional references
- Last two (2) performance evaluations. Supervisor letter of recommendation may be used as a substitute for each unavailable evaluation.
COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required as part of your application. In your cover letter, please describe in two to three paragraphs, the microbiological methods you have run in a professional setting.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENTThe 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 ONLYPlease be sure to check our to determine if you qualify.
EDUCATIONTo 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 time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATIONEducation completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.
NOTE: The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.
WORK EXPERIENCEWhen using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.
If you are currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as there are minimum qualifications that require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.
NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
MULTIPLE VACANCIESThis recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.
APPLICATION NOTICEYou can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here:
NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at [click to reveal phone number] (toll free) or (907) 465-4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at:
EEO STATEMENTThe State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call [click to reveal phone number] or [click to reveal phone number] in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or [click to reveal phone number] or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCEQuestions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at [click to reveal phone number] (toll free) or [click to reveal phone number] if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to
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Contact Information
For specific information about the position please contact the hiring manager:
Kelly Snyder
Laboratory Quality Systems Manager
[click to reveal phone number]
[click to reveal email address]
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits
- Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See for additional information.
- AVTEC
- Confidential
- Correctional Officers
- Marine Engineers
- Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
- Supervisory
- Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
- Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
- General Government
- Labor, Trades and Crafts
- Public Safety Employees Association
- Masters, Mates & Pilots
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See for additional information.
- Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)
Optional Insurance Benefits
- Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
- Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Retirement Benefits
- Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
- Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
- Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
- Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
- Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
- Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options
See for additional information
Paid Leave & Other Benefits
- Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
- Twelve (12) paid holidays a year
01
How many years of work experience performing Drinking Water Microbiology Methods under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?
- Extensive experience (5+ yrs)
- Experience (3-4 yrs)
- Limited experience (1-2 yrs)
- Little experience (<1yr)
02
Does your application demonstrate robust experience as a microbiologist or evaluating microbiology data in a regulatory laboratory setting?
- Yes
- No
03
Do you understand that failing to receive certification by EPA for Drinking Water Microbiology Certification Officer or approval by FDA for Laboratory Evaluation Officer when first offered is grounds for non-retention?
- Yes
- No
Required Question