MICROBIOLOGIST 4
Career Family: MICROBIOLOGIST
Microbiologist 4 is a competitive state or local title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
Of the 4 Microbiologist grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Microbiologist 3. It expects a bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $87,507 to $128,719, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Health posts its own vacancies directly, often before (or instead of) any civil service exam announcement. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Pay ladder: Microbiologist series
- Microbiologist 1 — $65,195 – $91,272
- Microbiologist 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Microbiologist 3 — $79,844 – $117,228
- Microbiologist 4 — $87,507 – $128,719 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 76th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $124,366. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (1)
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.
Definition
Under the direction of a manager or other supervisory official in the Department of Health or in the Department of Agriculture, or in a county/municipal run laboratory, supervises the testing activities and staff of a microbiological, molecular, serological, or related program; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Supervises and assigns microbiologists of varied levels and technical laboratory employees in performing tests and analyses on specimens submitted for microbiological analysis.
- Supervises the study of parallel tests.
- Maintains activity and costs records.
- Provides technical advice regarding microbiological matters.
- Conducts and/or supervises the conduct of laboratory tests and analyses.
- Review of intermediate test results or worksheets, quality control records, proficiency testing results, and preventive maintenance records.
- Verification of the test procedures performed and establishment of the laboratory's test performance characteristics according to PHEL's QA requirements.
- Evaluating the competency of all testing personnel and assuring that the staff maintain their competency to perform test procedures and report test results promptly, accurately and proficiently.
- Keeps current with literature, practices, and new developments in the field of microbiology; may prepare scientific articles. Joint division continue education activities.
- Acts as an expert witness for the State concerning laboratory tests and analyses performed.
- Supervises the evaluation of new laboratory techniques, procedures, and equipment.
- Supervises the planning and conducting of research activities.
- Instructs laboratory personnel in the proper use, care, maintenance, and minor adjustment of equipment.
- Prepares detailed correspondence.
- Prepares statistical evaluations as directed.
- Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of microbiological tests, analyses, and examinations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- Supervises the maintenance of microbiologic records and files.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a biological science including or supplemented by twelve (12) semester hour credits in specific microbiological courses in the study of microorganisms, which includes bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and/or mycology.
Experience
Four (4) years of experience in a public health or clinical laboratory conducting diagnostic microbiological tests, examinations, and/or research; two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
License
Appointees 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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the precautions to be taken in the use and maintenance of sterile equipment and the minor repair of laboratory equipment.
- Knowledge of the principles of microbiology and allied disciplines.
- Knowledge of the equipment, materials, and supplies used in a microbiological laboratory.
- Knowledge of the media, reagents, equipment, and methodologies used in microbiologic examinations.
- Knowledge of the precautions to be taken in handling specimens.
- Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used to conduct microbiologic/serologic tests and analyses.
- Knowledge of the methods used to interpret microscopic, macroscopic, serological tests, and other specific examinations and analyses.
- Ability to organize assigned laboratory work, analyze microbiological problems, and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to review, test, and evaluate laboratory methods and techniques.
- Ability to conduct tests and interpret and report on results.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- Ability to take measures required to ensure that laboratory areas are maintained in a clean, orderly, and safe condition and that equipment/instruments are maintained in good operating condition.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports of microbiologic, molecular/serologic tests and analyses containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to compile and keep scientific data for use in court proceedings.
- Ability to act as an expert witness for the State in court.
- Ability to prepare statistical evaluations.
- Ability to prepare technical correspondence.
- Ability to write scientific articles.
- Ability to supervise the maintenance of microbiologic records, reports, and files.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related unit.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and 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 if they can perform the 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.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. An employee using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in Microbiology may be substituted for one (1) year of the non-supervisory experience.
A Doctorate degree in Microbiology may be substituted for two (2) years of the non-supervisory experience.
Appointees may be required to perform physical activities such as lifting, carrying, and standing for an extended period of time.
Appointees may be required to get vaccinations or submit vaccination records.
Appointees may be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment.