Laboratory Assistant

This position is eligible for appointment at $44,803.20 annually. County employees are subject to the County Promotion Rule for Step Placement in Accordance with Compensation Ordinance 1.3.5.

The County of San Diego is currently accepting applications for Laboratory Assistant
. Interviews will be held the week of March 16th, 2026. Job offers will be made the week of March 23rd, 2026.

Future Salary Increases:

• June 2026 – 4.80% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 1.30% Market Adjustment)
• June 2027 – 4.30% increase to base pay (3.0% Across-the-Board + 1.30% Market Adjustment)

The Laboratory Assistant performs a wide variety of laboratory support work in County laboratories. As a Laboratory Assistant you:

• Perform work following laboratory safety practices
• May perform animal dissections and remove brain tissue from rabid animals
• Assist microbiologists, veterinary pathologists, plant pathologists or other laboratory personnel in varied laboratory functions
• Prepare lab test kits, culture media, stains and reagents
• Fill tubes and bottles with specified solutions and apply identification labels
• Set up, label, and file microscope slides used for testing
• Receive and prepare specimens for study and processing utilizing various methods and equipment
• Perform lab courier duties picking up specimens and delivering supplies
• Computer data entry and accessioning of sample data
• Will work with infectious agents and infectious materials
• And perform other related duties as required

to review the Laboratory Assistant job description including examples of qualifying education and experience.

The current vacancies are in Public Health Services (PHS). The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in other departments, such as the Department of Environmental Health and Quality, the Sheriff's Office, and the Medical Examiner's Office.

To learn more about Public Health Services, see the Strategic Plan: HHSA S strategic Plan—2025-26.

• Job Offer and Background Process begins: week of March 23rd, 2026.
  
  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 background 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.

• One (1) year of work experience as a laboratory aide/assistant in a clinical, public health or veterinary laboratory performing the following tasks: collecting, inspecting, preparing, wrapping, distributing, washing, drying, and sterilizing laboratory glassware, instruments, syringes, and needles; operating autoclaves, ovens and glassware washers; and filing, labeling and distributing media and reagents containers; OR,
• Completion of at least one (1) year college level coursework which includes biology I/II, or chemistry I/II classes from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency and must have included laboratory classes.

For your education and/or certifications to be considered, you must attach a copy of your degree, transcripts, diploma, foreign equivalency report and/or certifications to your application.

A quality candidate for the Laboratory Assistant position demonstrates a strong foundation in laboratory support functions, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment. The candidate possesses the ability to follow established protocols, handle specimens and materials accurately, and support laboratory operations in a fast-paced public health setting. A quality candidate exhibits reliability, professionalism, and the capacity to work collaboratively with technical and non-technical staff.

They show an understanding of laboratory safety practices, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), biosafety awareness, and adherence to quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)…