Laboratory Operations Officer

Careers at Council; Banora Point; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Flexible work options

Generous employment conditions

Job summary

Tweed Shire Council is looking for a hands‑on Laboratory Support Officer based in Banora Point to coordinate sample handling, reagent preparation, and consumables management, contributing to safe, efficient laboratory operations.

You will join a collaborative team, manage stock using LIMS, support field sampling as needed, and help deliver high‑quality testing outcomes for clients and the community.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and follow established procedures.
• Experience managing supplies, inventory, or resources.
• Strong eye for detail and accurate record keeping.
• Proficiency with computer systems for data entry and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate reagent and media preparation, wash bay operations, equipment cleaning, and sample container prep.
• Manage laboratory consumables, stock control and procurement.
• Oversee sample handling: receipt, storage, preservation, movement and disposal with accurate records.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders for sample collections, deliveries and service requests.
• Work independently to prioritise workloads and support compliant operations, including field sampling.

Skills

Independent worker

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Keep essential laboratory services running in a dynamic, hands‑on role. Coordinate sample management, laboratory preparation, and stakeholder support while contributing to safe, efficient, and compliant laboratory operations.

Join a collaborative team where your organisation, attention to detail, and problem‑solving skills will help deliver high‑quality laboratory services and support important testing outcomes for clients and the community.

About the role:

• Coordinate a broad range of laboratory support activities, including reagent and media preparation, wash bay operations, equipment cleaning, and sample container preparation.
• Manage laboratory consumables, stock control, and procurement to ensure resources are available to support daily operations.
• Oversee sample handling processes, including receipt, storage, preservation, movement, and disposal, while maintaining accurate records using LIMS.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders to coordinate sample collections, deliveries, freight arrangements, and service requests.
• Work independently to prioritise workloads, resolve day‑to‑day operational issues, and support safe, efficient, and compliant laboratory operations, including participation in field sampling activities as required.

What's on offer:

• a base salary ranging from $64,608 per annum with competency‑based increments up to $74,025 per annum, plus 12% super
• 70 hour, 9 day fortnight
• training and development opportunities
• flexible work options for a healthy work/life balance
• generous employment conditions (we have too many to list -)

We are seeking:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, follow established procedures, and consistently deliver accurate, high‑quality work.
• Experience managing supplies, inventory, or resources, with the ability to maintain stock levels and support operational requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to accurately handle, prepare, track, and manage materials and records.
• Proficiency in using computer systems for data entry, record keeping, and information management, with the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to coordinate activities, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.

About us:

• Located on the picturesque far North Coast of NSW, bordering the Gold Coast.
• The Tweed is a vibrant, diverse location offering a lifestyle near the water, in a rainforest or on a farm.
• Tweed Shire Council is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourages applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in both traditional and non‑traditional roles. We provide workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options.
• Join an employer of choice. Professionals Australia (Local Government Engineers’ Association) has named Council the 2021 and 2025 Employer of Choice for our great employment practices within NSW local government.

Where it's located:

This position is based in Banora Point and can be directed to work from any Council work site.

Position closes:

Friday 23 October 2026 at 12noon sharp (NSW time). Late applications will not be permitted.

Pre‑Employment Screening:

Tweed Shire Council conducts pre‑employment assessments as part of its recruitment process.

Job offers are not made until screening has been completed. Tweed Shire Council uses third‑party providers to undertake:

• Pre‑employment medical – some roles require a functional (physical) assessment, and all positions are subject to drug and alcohol screening (a positive test result means the recruitment process ends and your application will not be considered).
• Background screening - verifies that the information you have provided throughout the recruitment process is true and correct.

Reference Checks are undertaken by the panel. Your 2 referees should ideally be your current and most recent supervisors. Your referees are not contacted unless you’ve been interviewed and is a preferred candidate.

Immunisations:

This position is identified as at risk of contracting vaccine‑preventable/manageable diseases and as a consequence impacted employees are strongly recommended to participate in Council’s workplace vaccination program.

Thinking of relocating?

Eligible applicants can access theWelcome Experience, a free NSW Government service designed to support workers and their families as they move to regional NSW.

Selection Criteria:

• Why are you interested in working at Tweed Shire Council, and what excites you most about this particular opportunity?
• Can you describe a role where you were required to work independently and follow established procedures? How did you ensure your work was accurate?
• Tell us about your experience managing supplies, stock, or resources. How did you ensure adequate stock levels were maintained?
• Describe a time when you were responsible for handling materials, samples, records, or documentation. How did you ensure accuracy and attention to detail?
• What computer systems have you used for data entry, record keeping, or information management? How comfortable are you learning new systems?
• Can you provide an example of how you have managed competing priorities while working with internal staff, customers, or other stakeholders to meet deadlines?