Assistant Laboratory Director (Health Services Manager)

Salary : $107,224.00 - $148,512.00 Annually
Location : Santa Ana, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 8230MA-0324-042 (O)
Department: Health Care Agency
Opening Date: 03/15/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
CAREER DESCRIPTION
Assistant Laboratory Director
(Health Services Manager)
Salary Information
This position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:
Effective June 28, 2024 - 4.25% increase
Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.0% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
The first round of considerations will be on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Applications received after this date will be processed in the next round.
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future Supervising Public Health Microbiologist positions within the Health Care Agency. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.
THE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas - Strategy and Special Projects, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Medical Health Services and Public Health Services - is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Orange County Public Health Laboratory (OCPHL) is a core component of the Public Health program within HCA that provides laboratory services to Correctional Health Services, Public Health Clinical Services, Communicable Disease Control Division, Environmental Health Services, and clinical and hospital laboratories. Furthermore, OCPHL provides specialized laboratory testing for assessing, investigating, and analyzing infectious diseases of public health concerning Orange County, California. OCPHL is certified by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to perform high complexity testing in the areas of bacteriology, mycobacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, immunology, and molecular biology. Additionally, OCPHL has a Water Quality laboratory located in Newport Beach that is certified by the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) that primarily monitors the County's ocean and bay recreational waters.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Health Care Agency, Public Health Services is recruiting for an experiencedAssistant Laboratory Directorto assist in the overall operation and administration of the public health laboratory including management of the laboratory quality assurance program, personnel training and competency evaluation and technical and scientific oversight.
Under the supervision of the Laboratory Director at OCPHL, the Assistant Laboratory Director's essential duties include but not limited to:

• Assisting the Public Health Laboratory Director in the development, implementation, and assessment of long-range and short-term goals
• Conducting studies and analyzes reports; making recommendations concerning laboratory test methods, staffing, organization, budget, and work flow
• Planning, organizing, and directing of the operations, administration and implementation of the Public Health Laboratory objectives, policies and procedures; ensure effective and efficient services and compliance with established laws, standards, rules, and regulations
• Coordinating Public Health Laboratory operations and services with the operations of other local, state, and federal Public Health
• Managing performance of laboratory staff including evaluations and competency assessments
• Directing the development and preparation of grant/contract applications and progress reports and monitors and controls related expenditures

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have five (5) years of laboratory experience, in high complexity testing within the specialty of microbiology with a minimum of 6 months experience in high complexity testing within the subspecialties of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, mycobacteriology, virology, syphilis serology, general immunology and urinalysis. Additionally, the experience will include one (1) year of lead/supervisory experience.
Furthermore, the ideal candidate will meet the qualifications of and have the ability to perform the CLIA TS responsibilities as described in 42 CFR 493.1451.
In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following core competencies:
Technical Knowledge | Experience

• PHL operations experience
• State and Federal laws and regulations to assist in the operation of the laboratory in compliance with those laws and regulations
• Advanced knowledge of microbiological concepts, principles, and techniques that can be applied to public health laboratory testing
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory quality assurance and safety principles and procedures

Problem Solving | Critical Thinking

• Setting objectives and goals to achieve maximum productivity
• Working independently and adapting to varied work settings
• Developing and maintaining effective systems to manage multiple tasks and track information
• Contributing to strategic plan development and working with supervisors and staff to execute the strategic plan

Supervision | Managing Performance

• Supporting the efforts of the Laboratory Director to guide and sustain the organization
• Communicating with employees and encouraging high performance
• Working daily with supervisors and staff to develop future leaders for the organization
• Demonstrating leadership/management skills to direct and ensure delivery of efficient high-quality services
• Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork while working within and across divisions and teams
• Identifying performance capabilities and potential of others

Writing l Oral Communication

• Communicating clearly when issuing regular updates to the Laboratory Director and staff
• Writing standard operating procedures or policies for departmental tests or methods as needed
• Effectively communicates, both verbally and in writing, with department staff, clients, and vendors to accurately convey both substance and intent
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders including local, state and federal PHLs to achieve short and long term goals
• Presents ideas and complex materials clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively

Special Qualification | Requirements
Upon appointment to the position, the following is a License/Certificate Registration Requirement that must be met:
Possession of a valid Public Health Microbiologist Certificate issued by the California Department of Health Services. Failure to possess or keep in effect this certificate constitutes cause for termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rules.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to learn more about the minimum qualifications for the Health Services Managerclassification as well as the physical and mental requirements and the environmental and working conditions.
RECRUITMENT PROCESSHuman Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.
Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Structured Oral Interview (Oral Exam) | (Weighted 100%)Applicants will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.Eligible ListOnce the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Please note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements.
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click hereto see the latest guidance for more details
Email Notification
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:Clickhere for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liza Butler at (714) 834-2069 or ebutler@ochca.com.
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Administrative Management *
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits -- such as a variety of health plan options, sick and vacation time and paid holidays -- we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as:

• Retirement: Benefits are provided through the Orange County Employees' Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
  
• Paid Leave: Twelve holidays per year plus sick and vacation time
• Health & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• Dental Insurance: County pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums
• Paid Life Insurance: $100,000 life insurance policy
• Paid Accidental & Death and Dismemberment Insurance: $100,000 AD&D insurance policy
• Paid Short & Long Term Disability insurance programs
• 457 Defined Contribution Program

*Effective 07/01/20, management employees who are sworn Public Safety Managers receive health insurance benefits through the AOCDS Medical Benefit Plans.
Click for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
01
The information you provide will be used to rate your qualifications for the position. Incomplete information will result in a lower rating. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. Please provide concise, descriptive, and detailed information when answering the question. If you do not have experience, please write NONE.
NOTE: 'See resume', 'See above', or copy and paste of your resume are not considered qualifying responses and will not be scored.
By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement.

• Yes
• No

02
Please select the option that best describes your professional administration experience in a public health laboratory or clinical laboratory setting:

• 5 or more years of experience including at least one (1) year of lead/supervisory experience
• 5 or more years of experience with no lead/supe...