PRINCIPAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN MICROBIOLOGY
Principal Laboratory Technician Microbiology is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
It expects an associate's degree and 2 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $58,222 to $84,763, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Laboratory Technician Microbiology appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 5 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $71,639. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (5)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the supervision of higher level professional staff, in a state department or agency, prepares for and conducts the more difficult and various routine and complex microbiological tests and does the analysis; may supervise Laboratory Technicians of a lower grade; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Supervises Laboratory Technicians and Laboratory Service Workers of lower grades in the receiving, packing, opening, and preparing specimens for examination.
- Assigns and instructs subordinate laboratory employees and supervises their work.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- Assists supervisor in all procedures pursuant to the required microbiological tests, oversees, and/or sets-up apparatus as required.
- Coordinates the preparation of reagents and specimens for radio assay analyses utilizing radioactive labeled compounds.
- Coordinates the adherence to follow-up procedures, and the documentation of test results.
- Does the more difficult and complex microbiological tests.
- Prepares accurate reports.
- Maintains the essential records and reports.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Education
Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college, twenty four (24) credits of which shall have been in the biological, chemical and/or physical sciences.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience as a technician in a public health, hospital, clinical, or research laboratory performing microbiological tests.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of microbiologic methodologies.
- Knowledge of the laboratory equipment, reagents, and techniques used in the microbiological laboratory.
- Ability to organize assigned work, analyze routine laboratory problems, and develop appropriate work methods.
- Ability to take the lead in a group of technical laboratory employees, and provide assignments and instructions.
- Ability to conduct laboratory analyses of varied specimens in accordance with prescribed procedures.
- Ability to observe the proper precautions and to perform the precise and accurate work required in receiving, labeling, analyzing, and shipping specimens.
- Ability to exercise caution in the use of microbiological laboratory equipment and supplies to avoid unnecessary breakage, deterioration, and loss.
- Ability to prepare accurate reports of microbiological tests.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn and utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODES: R18- MER 06/19/10
Note
Successful completion of a certificate program in clinical laboratory technology may be substituted for the above education.
Applicant who do not possess the required college or certificate in clinical laboratory technology, may substitute two (2) years of additional experience as indicated.