MICROBIOLOGIST 1 (State)
Career Family: MICROBIOLOGIST
In the unclassified service, Microbiologist 1 is appointed rather than examined for, and its pay is often negotiated case by case.
This is where the Microbiologist ladder starts, one grade under Microbiologist 2, whose band tops out about $10,679 higher. The minimum is a bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience. Its salary schedule (frozen at an older rate) lists $65,195 to $91,272, though managerial and exempt titles like this are usually paid individually rather than on the step schedule, and state payroll currently lists 9 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. 2 agencies employ it. We don't track live vacancies.
See all 2 employers and how to apply →Who employs this title
Microbiologist 1 appears on the State payroll at 2 departments, most of them at Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 7 |
| Department of Agriculture | 2 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Microbiologist series
- Microbiologist 1 — $65,195 – $91,272 (this title)
- Microbiologist 2 — $69,668 – $101,951
- Microbiologist 3 — $79,844 – $117,228
- Microbiologist 4 — $87,507 – $128,719
Promoting to Microbiologist 2 raises the top of the band by about $10,679. Its top salary lands around the 34th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 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 9 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $61,510. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (7)
- Agriculture (2)
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 direction of a Director, or other administrator in the Department of Health and Senior Services, manages a microbiological, serological or related laboratory program and staff; does other related work.
Examples of work
- Plans, organizes, assigns, and instructs the work of microbiologists and technical personnel.
- Develops tests and incorporates new laboratory methodologies; recommends changes when required.
- Directs the evaluation of new laboratory techniques and procedures.
- Directs the preparation of exhibits to be used in court proceedings; acts as an expert witness for the State.
- Provides technical advice regarding microbiologic matters.
- Acts as an expert witness for the State concerning laboratory tests and analyses performed and responsible for in court.
- Directs the programs and activities of the assigned laboratory program.
- Keeps current with literature, practices and new developments in the field of microbiology; may prepare scientific articles.
- Prepares correspondence.
- Directs the preparation of clear, scientifically sound, accurate and informative analyses and other reports on microbiological matters containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential records and files.
- Directs the work operation and/or functional activities and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, evaluating, and/or disciplining of employees in the program.
- Will 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
Graduation from an approved college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Science, included or supplemented by 12 semester hour credits specific microbiological courses in the study of microorganisms, which include bacteriology, virology, medical parasitology, and mycology.
Experience
Five (5) years of experience in a public health or clinical laboratory conducting diagnostic microbiological tests and examinations, three (3) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NJ 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 principles of microbiology and applied disciplines.
- Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in to conduct microbiologic and serologic tests used to identify microbiological and related agents.
- Knowledge of microbiologic and serologic media, reagents, equipment and methodologies.
- Knowledge of the methods used to interpret microscopic, macroscopic, serological tests, and other examinations and analyses.
- Knowledge of the precautions to be taken in conducting laboratory analysis and in handling specimens.
- Ability to interpret test results.
- Ability to prepare clear, scientifically sound and accurate reports of microbiologic and serologic tests and analyses containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Ability to plan, organize and direct the work programs and schedules of the microbiology unit staff.
- Ability to assign, instruct and supervise the work performance of microbiologists of varied levels and other technical microbiology laboratory personnel.
- Ability to review, test and evaluate laboratory methods and techniques.
- Ability to compile and prepare scientific data for use in court proceedings.
- Ability to act as an expert witness for the State in court.
- Ability to write scientific articles.
- Ability to prepare technical correspondence.
- Ability to direct the maintenance of essential microbiologic records and files.
- Ability to learn to 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- CODE: 30/M30 - MCK 8/26/00
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position 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 in Microbiology may be substituted for two (2) years of the non-supervisory experience.