Microbiologist 1 Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $53,008.00 - $80,646.00 Annually
Location : Chester County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-57305-32410
Department: Department of Health
Division: HL Div of Mcrblgy
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 32410
Position Number: 00094375
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST06
Bureau / Division Code: 00077311
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Laboratories / Division of Microbiology
Worksite Address: 110 Pickering Way
City: Exton, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 19341
Contact Name: Margaret King
Contact Email: margarking@pa.gov
THE POSITION
The Microbiologist 1 for the Department of Health (DOH) in the Bureau of Laboratories plays a key part in driving laboratory work that supports public health across Pennsylvania. This position introduces you to professional lab practices while you work with samples, media, and essential testing materials. It offers an exciting opportunity to grow technical skills in a fast-paced, team-focused environment. Step into a role where your energy, drive, and commitment help advance important laboratory operations.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position performs a variety of laboratory tasks that support specimen processing, media preparation, and quality control activities. As a Microbiologist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Media Preparation: Prepare culture media, reagents, and solutions using aseptic techniques
• Laboratory Measurements: Measure components using balances, liquid volume tools, and pH meters
• Equipment Operation: Operate automatic dispensing equipment and perform filtration of heat-sensitive solutions
• Quality Checks: Perform quality control on media, reagents, equipment, and procedures
• Specimen Handling: Receive samples, assign accession numbers, and prepare submissions for testing
• Data Entry: Enter specimens into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and track information through processing

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in microbiology; or
• A bachelor's degree that includes 20 credits in microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology or bacteriology and 12 credits in chemistry or biochemistry.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Condition of Employment:

• You must possess a valid Pennsylvania driver's license.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirement:

• You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
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We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
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We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
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*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Condition of Employment - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02
If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please provide the issuing state and license number. If you answered "No" type N/A in the box.
03
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher or are you within three months of conferring a bachelor's degree or higher in Microbiology?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

04
If you do not have a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
05
Do you possess a conferred bachelor's degree or higher or are you within three months of conferring a bachelor's degree or higher that includes 20 credits in microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, or bacteriology and 12 credits in chemistry or biochemistry?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

06
If you do not have a conferred bachelor's degree or higher, on what date do you expect to receive your degree? Type N/A in the text box if this does not apply.
07
You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.
All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.
Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

08
WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PREPARES CULTURE MEDIA AND REAGENTS
Prepares culture media and reagents with the use of aseptic techniques. Uses analytical balances to measure media components, calculates gram molecular weights and percent solutions, measures accurate liquid volumes using calibrated pipettes, uses pH meters to determine hydrogen ion concentration, operates automatic dispensing machines, uses autoclaves to sterilize materials and glassware, and filter sterilizes heat labile solut