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Public Health Laboratory Technician

Shasta County
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CURRENT VACANCY IS WITHIN THE SHASTA COUNTY

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY – PUBLIC HEALTH BRANCH

 

ORAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 2025

 

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

 

FINAL FILING DATE: NOVEMBER 17, 2025 AT 5:00PM

 

SALARY INFORMATION

 

$3,213 - $4,101 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $18.54 - $23.66 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

 

*Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases* Please visit https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/labor-agreements-mous.

 

ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY

 

Shasta County offers all of the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small town atmosphere.  With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

 

Health and Human Services Agency

The Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) partners with communities to protect and improve the health and well-being of Shasta County residents. Established in 2006, the HHSA is organized into four branches: Behavioral Health & Social Services, Public Health, Economic Mobility, with a centralized Administration Services. The HHSA promotes optimal health for all. The frail, the abused, the mentally ill and those without resources look to the HHSA for services and resources to meet their basic needs, and to protect their health and safety. This transformation improves efficiency, avoids unnecessary duplication of effort, encourages collaboration among programs and organizes the HHSA’s services to be more responsive to the needs of the public.

 

Public Health focuses on community-wide prevention of communicable disease, chronic disease, injury, substance abuse, family violence, and lead poisoning. Public Health helps the community develop policies and support community environments that encourage healthy behaviors. It promotes nutrition and physical activity, healthy aging, worksite wellness and healthy communities. Public Health is also where the HHSA’s emergency response unit is headquartered, and its laboratory provides testing services for Shasta and numerous other Northern California counties.

 

ABOUT THE POSITION

 

Under general supervision, to assist in performing biological and chemical examinations and related technical procedures in a public health laboratory; to operate and maintain basic laboratory equipment; and to perform other work as required.

 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

 

The ideal candidate for this role will be someone interested in pursuing a career in science, who has experience in a laboratory setting, and who is trainable to the functions of a public health laboratory. The ideal candidate will work well with a team to implement standardized processes to ensure smooth laboratory functioning.  

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

 

Assists professional staff by performing portions of bacteriological, biochemical, or related examination procedures which require minimal scientific judgment and observation; assists microbiologists in preparation of specimens for examination; sets up, dismantles, and maintains apparatus or equipment used in the examination of specimens; maintains incubator and refrigerators' temperatures; cleans and sterilizes glassware; operates equipment for the preparation of specimens; prepares media, reagents, stains, and sterile solutions; maintains stocks of media; may perform standardized examinations of water; performs standardized examinations of milk and milk products when certified; may be responsible to type reports, letters or general communications.

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

 

Knowledge of: Basic laboratory methods and procedures; fundamentals of basic science; use and care of laboratory equipment and apparatus.


Ability to: Follow detailed oral and written directions; learn and apply specialized public health techniques accurately and rapidly; keep accurate records; establish and maintain cooperative working relationship.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Completion of course work in biology and physical science. One year of experience in a public health, medical research, clinical or comparable laboratory may be substituted for the required education.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

 

  1. How many college-level science courses have you successfully completed?  What courses were they?  Was there a laboratory course? If none, please type “N/A”.
  2. Have you completed course work in biology and physical science? Yes/No
  3. If yes, please provide details including description of course work and where it was completed. If no, please type “N/A”.
  4. Do you possess one year of experience in a public health, medical research, clinical, or comparable laboratory? Yes/No
  5. If yes, please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If none, please type “N/A”.
  6. I acknowledge this position may require a valid California’s driver’s license. Yes/No


 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.


 The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and explosives. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.


 The employee will also be exposed to infectious agents, blood-borne pathogens, and other biohazards.
 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

 

  • All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
  • Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
  • As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered. 
  • Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing. 
  • Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RighttoWorkPoster.pdf. If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at (530) 225-5515 to request a flyer.
  • In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
  • Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California – General. 
  • Employees in this classification are covered under the CalPERS retirement program. Depending on the provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and other applicable laws, an employee in this classification will be covered under one of the following CalPERS retirement formulas: (1) 2% at 55, (2) 2% at 60, or (3) 2% at 62. An employee in this classification will also contribute up to 9.5% his/her pay to this plan or will contribute such other amount to the plan as authorized by PEPRA and other applicable laws. Please visit our employees benefit page at https://www.shastacounty.gov/personnel/page/employee-benefitsfor additional information regarding benefits and CalPERS coverage information. The provisions in this flyer and on the County’s website are for information purposes only. To the extent the provisions of the flyer or the County’s website are inconsistent with PEPRA and other applicable laws, PEPRA and other applicable laws shall govern.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES:

 

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 5:00 p.m., on November 17, 2025. A Resume and/or Cover Letter will be accepted in addition to the application form but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as, “Refer to Resume and/or Cover Letter,” or “See Attached Resume and/or Cover Letter” the employment application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will NOT be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered. 

 

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion into the selection process. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof. 

 

Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line at www.ShastaCountyCareers.com or submit an application to the Shasta County Personnel Office.

 

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at (530) 225-5515; relay service (800) 735-2922; fax (530) 225-5345.

 

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.  You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you.  After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.  Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act.

 

 

SHASTA COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; (530) 225-5515