Job Description
Salary: $119,953.60 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number: 25417307MS
Department: Health & Human Serv Agcy
Division: Public Health Services
Opening Date: 08/07/2025
Closing Date: 8/18/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary The County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency is currently accepting applications for
MOLECULAR SCIENTIST (Class Title: Epidemiologist II) Interviews and job offers will take place beginning the week of September 8, 2025. This position is eligible for appointment at step 5, $119,953.60 annually. Future Salary Increases: ** June 2026 - 4.03% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 0.53% Market Adjustment) ** June 2027 - 3.53% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 0.53% Market Adjustment) The County of San Diego Public Health Laboratory is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Epidemiologist with specialization in Molecular Science. This position supports the public health laboratory's next-generation sequencing program. This includes generation of target genetic sequences, amplicon qualification and quantitation, DNA/RNA library preparation and generation of sequence data using nucleic acid sequencing instrumentation and reagents.
The ideal candidate must be able to work in a complex environment with professionals in public health, laboratory staff, epidemiology, and information technology; be proficient in next-generation sequencing technology, molecular sequencing, molecular testing techniques which include PCR and ddPCR, and use of bioinformatics data for disease investigations; be skilled at documentation with a strong attention to detail and communicate complex technical information to a wide range of non-technical audiences or constituencies. Additionally, a quality candidate will have knowledge of the following technical proficiencies:
Molecular Scientist - Knowledge in the field of microbiology, molecular biology, molecular chemistry, and microbial population genetics.
- Experience with research and development of assays and troubleshooting.
- Public health reporting, information system standards, and public health data.
- Principles and practices of epidemiology, and methods of collecting, compiling, and analyzing statistical and other research data.
- Informatics skills necessary to analyst and visualize whole genome sequencing data for the evaluation of phylogenetic relatedness, genotypic markers, and other actionable public health information.
- Familiarity with the following instruments or techniques: MiSeq/NextSeq - Thermal Cyclers - Centrifuges - TapeStation - SpectraMax - Pipettes - Liquid Handling Robots - Automated RNA/DNA extraction equipment (e.g. Qiacube) - Qubit Fluorometer - ddPCR.
To learn more about Public Health Services of the Health and Human Services Agency, see the Strategic Plan: Public Health Services Strategic Plan [click to reveal phone number]2024-25
HIRING TIMELINE AND DATES
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
- Job Offer and Background Process begins week of September 8, 2025. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Two (2) years of experience as an Epidemiologist I in the County of San Diego; OR,
- A master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency in public health with specialization in epidemiology, bio-statistics, or a related field, AND, two (2) years of professional epidemiology experience.
Note: A Ph.D. in epidemiology, public health, life science or a closely related field from an accredited U.S. college or university is highly desirable.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
EVALUATION PROCESS The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a
six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental application. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Note: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans. Veteran's Preference Policy The County of San Diego offerspreferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.
Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a that will create a County that works for all.
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as
disaster service workers . The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any
county , city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary 01
Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough and complete manner and
include this information in the work history section of the application. Note that if you are invited to a selection interview by a department, your responses to the following questions will be subject to verification.
Do you understand this information?
02
Do you have two (2) years of experience as an Epidemiologist I with the County of San Diego?
03
How many years of professional epidemiology experience do you possess?
Be sure to include this information in the work experience section of your application. - Less than 2 years of experience
- At least 2 but less than 5 years of experience
- At least 5 but less than 10 years of experience
- 10 or more years of experience
- I do not have this experience
04
How many years of professional experience do you have in molecular diagnostics, research, or related public health laboratory science?
Be sure to include this information in the work experience section of your application. - Less than 2 years of experience
- At least 2 but less than 5 years of experience
- At least 5 but less than 10 years of experience
- 10 or more years of experience
- I do not have this experience
05
Do you have a master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in
public health with
specialization in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field ?
Note : In order for your education to be considered, an unalterable copy of your final transcript, college diploma, letter of verification, or a certified foreign studies equivalency must be submitted with your application.
06
Do you have a Ph.D. from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in epidemiology, public health, life science, or a closely related field?
Note: In order for your education to be considered, an unalterable copy of your final transcript, college diploma, letter of verification, or a certified foreign studies equivalency must be submitted with your application.
07
Do you have experience with any of the following? Select all that apply. Please make sure your experience is verifiable in the employment history of your application.
- Water testing (drinking water, wastewater, recreational water)
- Air sampling and analysis
- Soil or sediment testing
- Surface/environmental swab testing
- Environmental microbiology (e.g., Legionella, coliforms, mold)
- Molecular testing of environmental samples (PCR, sequencing)
- Culture Testing (e.g. E. Coli, Enterococcus, Total coliform)
- Chemical/toxicological testing of environmental samples
- Quality Assurance
- Other
- I do not have experience in any of the areas listed above
08
If you selected "Other" above, please list below.
Please indicate "N/A" if not applicable.
09
Do you have experience with any of the following instruments or techniques? Select all that apply.
Please make sure your experience is verifiable in the employment history of your application.
- ddPCR
- MiSeq/NextSeq
- Thermal Cyclers
- TapeStation
- Pipettes
- Liquid Handling Robots
- Extraction
- PCR
- R programming
- Python
- Linux environment
- Cloud computing and maintenance of cloud-based infrastructure
- Experience installing and using NGS analysis tools such as BWA, Samtools, VCFTools, GATK, MUMMer, Mauve, PhyML, Figtree, etc.
- Experience with C++ and Java
- SQL and NoSQL database technologies
- None of the above
10
Where did you first hear about this job opportunity?
- San Diego County website
- Governmentjobs.com
- Veteran Outreach / FFSC
- Mana de San Diego
- Family, Neighbors, Friends
- County Employee Resources Group
- College/University Career Site
- LinkedIn
- Indeed
- County Social Media
- Voice and Viewpoint
- Government Alliance on Race and Equity
- Other
11
If you selected "Other" above, please tell us how you first heard about this job opportunity.
Please indicate "N/A" if not applicable.
Required Question
Job Tags
Full time, Work experience placement,