What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Health Laboratory Section Supervisor (Clinical Microbiology) position at Philadelphia, City of (PA)?
The Department of Public Health is hiring a passionate, clinical microbiology leader to join the Public Health Laboratory team. The role is responsible for a team of laboratory program staff including certified medical technologists and ensuring standards for laboratory testing functions.
To learn more about becoming part of our public health laboratory team of heroes, visit:
https://www.phila.gov/2018-11-16-philadelphias-public-health-lab-heroes-protecting-the-publics-health/
This is supervisory laboratory work directing the activities of a laboratory staff engaged in performing diagnostic and/or environmental tests and analyses in the City's Public Health Laboratory in the assigned area of specialization. Employees in this class develop, evaluate and determine the methodologies, equipment and personnel required to achieve efficient and effective laboratory operation. Work includes responsibility for evaluating and updating test methodology, ongoing training of subordinate technical personnel and administering proficiency and quality control programs to ensure test accuracy and reliability. Contact with departmental administrators and outside agencies to coordinate laboratory and clinical activities is a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under a higher level administrative and/or technical supervisor. Work involves some disagreeable aspects.
For all other inquiries, please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov
ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE
Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
Philadelphia residency is not required to submit an application however applicants must have established bona fide residency in the City of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment.PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS:
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.
To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.
If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.
INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE:
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.
Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS:
Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.
LEGACY PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of the children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:
A. Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points.
For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.
B. Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
Such candidates will have:
- 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
- 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
- 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
- 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate’s passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION:
Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.
An Eligible List will be established the week of December 29, 2025. Please note that this date may change.
TEST REVIEW:
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY
Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within 3 months of the application deadline (March 7, 2026) will be admitted to this examination. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list but may not be hired or promoted until all requirements have been satisfied.
1. CERTIFICATION: Certification as one of the following:
Medical Technologist by American Medical Technologists (AMT), or by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as:
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), or
- Medical Technologist (MT), or
- Chemistry (C), or
- Hematology (H), or
- Microbiology (M) or
- Certification by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA), or
- Certification in a related area by Health Education and Welfare (HEW) or equivalent national certifying agency.
AND
2. EDUCATION: Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in medical technology, biology, immunology, serology, microbiology, chemistry or other closely related field in the chemical, physical, or biological sciences.
AND
3. EXPERIENCE: Four years of full performance level experience performing diagnostic laboratory tests in the area of Clinical Microbiology. OR Two years as a Laboratory Program Scientist in the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory.
NOTE: Completion of a master's degree program in any one of the disciplines specified in the education section can be substituted for two years of full-performance-level experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES: Possession of a valid, proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Public Health Laboratory Section Supervisor.
Certification as a Medical Technologist by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Clinical Laboratory Scientist or other acceptable certification listed in the requirements above by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Public Health Laboratory Section Supervisor.
TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license, registration or certification.
If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document
Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript, license, registration or certification – One time only!
You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.
Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.
Option 2– Submit a paper transcript, license, registration or certification – Separate document required for each application
If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, license, registration or certification, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.
Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials
Cornell Q. WeaverHuman Resources Professional, Hiring Services
City Of Philadelphia Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd.- Suite 1530
Philadelphia Pa, 19102
cornell.weaver@phila.gov
Office: 215-686-2387
Fax: 215-686-0861
Salary : $79,635 - $102,390
