Rabies Laboratory Technologist I

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Public Health

Job Classification Title

Medical Laboratory Technologist I (S)

Position Number

60041369

Grade

MH14

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The Rabies Laboratory Technologist I position functions as a bench technologist in the Rabies Laboratory at the NC State Laboratory of Public Health, performing diagnostic testing of animal specimens for the presence of rabies virus. The role’s primary technical scope includes Direct Fluorescent Antibody testing of necropsied brain tissue, as well as participation in new diagnostic methods introduced in the laboratory.
The Rabies Laboratory Technologist I position operates within a high‑throughput public health laboratory environment and performs laboratory procedures ranging from specimen accessioning to slide preparation, staining, and result interpretation. The technologist also conducts necropsy procedures, wildlife species identification, and supports emergency and outbreak‑related testing needs.
This role may require participation in an on‑call schedule to ensure timely diagnostics during weekends, holidays, and urgent events.
Key Duties Include:
- Perform Direct Fluorescent Antibody testing of necropsied brain tissue to detect rabies virus.
- Conduct specimen accessioning, labeling, and controlled handling of animal samples submitted for diagnostic testing.
- Complete necropsy and dissection procedures to obtain required tissues for laboratory analysis.
- Prepare laboratory slides through tissue imprinting, fixation, staining, and controlled processing steps.
- Interpret stained slides using fluorescence microscopy and document results in accordance with laboratory procedures.
- Perform species identification of bats, foxes, skunks, and other wildlife submitted for rabies investigations.
- Support validation and implementation of new or updated diagnostic methods introduced in the Rabies Laboratory.
- Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and labware required for testing workflows.
- Participate in on‑call rotations to provide emergency rabies testing during weekends and holidays.
- Assist additional laboratory units during outbreak responses or periods of increased testing volume.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $58,265.00 - $87,396.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. 
 
The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: 

• Expert‑level performance of Direct Fluorescent Antibody–based diagnostic workflows, including slide preparation, staining, and interpretation to support rabies virus detection.

• Demonstrated experience conducting necropsy and tissue dissection procedures using laboratory‑grade surgical tools for preparation of diagnostic specimens.

• Proficient execution of specimen accessioning processes, including controlled handling, labeling, and documentation of animal samples submitted for laboratory testing.

• Applied experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment and labware used in virology and serology testing environments.

• Hands‑on experience identifying wildlife species such as bats, foxes, and skunks to support accurate classification of specimens submitted for rabies investigations.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events
Physical Requirements:

An occupational medical assessment may be required to determine your ability to safely work with biological, chemical, or radiological hazards. This position may also require periodic medical screenings to confirm safety practices are effectively preventing occupational injury or illness. All costs associated with obtaining occupational health services are covered by NCSLPH.

This position:

• Works frequently with infectious disease agents that require the use of personal protective equipment, such as a respirator.

• Uses laboratory equipment requiring ability to manipulate items with fingers, ability to grasp, and ability to feel/perceive the attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture.

• Immunization against rabies is a precondition of employment within the rabies laboratory, along with periodic serological assessments of immunization to ensure that the employee maintains an adequate level of immunization.

• Mut be able to perceive colors normally.

• Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds.

About the NC Division of Public Health (DPH):
The NC Division of Public Health works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina. Our entire statewide system of public health has dedicated professionals who carry out our mission every day through a wide range of essential and activities touching the lives of everyone in our state.

About the Virology / Serology: Rabies Virus:

Virology/Serology (VS) performs highly complex laboratory tests to identify infections with a variety of bacterial and viral pathogens of public health significance. The majority of reports generated by this Unit are used by state and local health officials in the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable disease. The mission of VS is to provide quality-assured laboratory services to public and private health provider organizations and to assist other Public Health program partners responsible for communicable disease prevention and control.

The Rabies Laboratory at the NCSLPH is the sole source for diagnostic rabies testing in North Carolina.

Compensation and Benefits: 
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits. 

Supplemental Contact Information: 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. 

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. 

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. 

               

Application Process 

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. 

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. 

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check. 

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. 

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. 

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification 

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. 

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference 

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. 

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. 

ADA Accommodations 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. 

CONTACT INFORMATION  

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in medical technology, chemistry, or a biological science from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

Associate degree in medical technology from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in a medical laboratory

OR

Completion of a Certified Laboratory Assistant course in medical technology or a comparable course and three years of experience in a medical laboratory

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Tresha Walker

Email:

[email protected]