If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Microbiologist II

Opening Date: November 3, 2026 

Closing Date: November 17, 2026

Job Class Code: 4219

Grade: 23 (04)   

Salary: $54,329.60 - $76,232.00 per year* 

*This is inclusive of a 5.5% recruitment and retention stipend

Position Number: 02000-2326

Location: Augusta 

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Maine CDC’s Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) is looking for a laboratorian to support all sections of our laboratory. You will be responsible for the diagnostic and surveillance testing of clinical and animal samples. You will have the education and experience to fulfill the duties as outlined in the 42 CFR § 493.1489 - Standard: Testing personnel qualifications and 42 CFR § 493.1495 - Standard: Testing personnel responsibilities sections of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Law.

Core Responsibilities:

In this position, you will serve as a Microbiologist supporting the different sections of the HETL Clinical Laboratory. You will learn various assays used to identify infectious organisms while working in Biosafety Level 2 and 3 laboratories. You will perform necropsies on domestic and wild animals to test for the rabies virus. You will provide support to the Blood Lead, Bacteriology, Virology/Serology, and Washroom/Media sections. The tasks in these sections will be determined by each supervisor such as setting up blood samples to run on a graphite furnace, identifying bacteria on solid media, extracting nucleic acid, running real-time PCR, and preparing reagents, media, and other solutions.

You will also:

•        Perform and monitor routine quality assurance metrics.

•        Perform routine equipment maintenance including, but not limited to, biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, graphite furnace, nucleic acid extraction platforms and dishwashers.

•        Perform other clinical microbiology testing as needed.

•        Receive pre-exposure vaccination for Rabies and maintain annual titers.

•        Receive a Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) or QuantiFERON TB Gold (IGRA) annually to determine tuberculosis status.

•        Participate in the respiratory protection program.

•        Participate in Laboratory Response Network-Bioterrorism testing.

•        Obtain and maintain International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Shipping Certification.

Minimum Qualifications: (Entry level knowledges, skills, and/or abilities may be acquired through, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO the following coursework/training and/or experience).

A Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology or related scientific field and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in a related microbiological field. Responsible experience in microbiology may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

 Preferred candidates will also have: 

•        Certification as American Society for Clinical Pathology  (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist.

•        Experience in a diagnostic laboratory performing high-complexity testing.

•        Familiarity with laboratory information systems, particularly STARLIMS.

•        Knowledge of and experience with the identification of infectious organisms using biochemicals, media, and molecular methods, such as real-time PCR.

•        Experience with using graphite furnace for the determination of heavy metals in blood.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For questions about this position, please contact Lori Webber at Lori.Webber@Maine.gov

Please submit all documents or files in PDF or Word format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy Hernandez at Mandy.Hernandez@Maine.gov

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60 - $13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.