Agricultural Laboratory Scientist 1-3
State of Louisiana
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry is seeking an Agricultural Laboratory Scientist to perform advanced regulatory analyses in feed, meat and related areas on the LSU campus. The role involves data interpretation, report writing, and keeping up with current lab technologies.
You will work on microbiology and molecular methods, maintain records, and interact with LDAF personnel and the public. A bachelor's degree or substantial lab experience qualifies you for career progression.
Qualifications
- Three years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR
- Six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR
- A bachelor's degree.
- Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field.
- The possession of a certification in seed germination/purity by the AOSA or SCST will substitute for the required college training.
Responsibilities
- Ensure consumer products meet applicable quality standards by independently performing highly complex and challenging analyses on all feed, pet food, and miscellaneous samples submitted to the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory.
- Analyze, interpret, and evaluate results and compile data into comprehensive technical reports.
- Use laboratory devices and keep current with available technology through training or study.
- Maintain supplies and prepare media for microbiology laboratories.
- Receive samples and maintain chain of custody for meat inspection microbiology samples.
- Perform PCR analysis on meat inspection samples for Salmonella, Listeria, STEC and other pathogens.
- Maintain records of laboratory work and respond to inquiries from LDAF personnel and the public.
Education
Job description
East Baton Rouge Parish.
Ready to make a meaningful impact on Louisiana’s workforce and organizational culture? Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry as an Agricultural Laboratory Scientist! This position performs duties for the Office of Animal Health and Food Safety within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry and entails responsible and professional agricultural analysis work in a variety of technically specialized and professional regulatory programs including, but not limited to, feed, fertilizer, liming, meat, and therapeutic marijuana.
Grow your career with opportunities in leadership, professional development, and specialized advancement opportunities.
This position is located in the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Agricultural Chemistry Program located in the Agriculture Chemistry Building on the LSU campus, East Baton Rouge Parish.
- Contribute to a mission-driven organization that serves communities across Louisiana
- Enjoy competitive pay and excellent benefits
- Be part of a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team
- Ensure consumer products meet applicable quality standards by independently performing highly complex and challenging analyses on all feed, pet food, miscellaneous samples submitted to the Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory related to inspections or investigations initiated by routine inspections, complaints, referrals or as a follow up to a previous sample collection.
- Analyze, interpret, and evaluate results and compile data and other facts related to the analysis performed into comprehensive technical reports by using established regulatory criteria, policies, and procedures.
- Use various laboratory devices that assist in performing the analyses and documenting the results and keep current with available technology by participating in training provided or by independent study.
- Maintain supplies and prepare media and solutions for microbiology laboratories.
- Receive samples and maintain chain of custody for meat inspection microbiology samples.
- Perform PCR analysis using on meat inspection samples for the detection of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) and any new pathogens that may be added.
- Perform isolations and identification of potential positives using Biomerieux Vitek2. Follow all SOPs and GA requirements.
- Maintain all required records of laboratory work.
- Independently and accurately respond to inquiries from LDAF personnel and the public.
- Confer with LDAF personnel regarding concerns related to products sampled.
Other duties as may be assigned.
- Required to move and install compressed and liquid gas cylinders.
- Prolonged sitting at workstations.
- Prolonged standing at workstations.
- Light to moderate lifting, 20 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.
- Daily use of hazardous chemicals.
- Required to wear appropriate chemical safety equipment (personnel protective equipment).
- Occasionally required to wear face mask.
Appointment Type:
- Full-time- this position may be filled by probation or by promotion of a classified employee of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry serving with permanent status.
- Applicants who are not permanent employees of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will be required to serve a probationary period up to 24 months.
Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Agricultural Laboratory Scientist 1, 2, or 3, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s).
Three years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR
Six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR
A bachelor's degree.
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
The possession of a certification in seed germination/purity by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) or Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST) will substitute for the required college training.
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
- Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
- Mardi Gras,
- Good Friday,
- Memorial Day,
- Independence Day,
- Labor Day,
- Veteran's Day,
- Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):
- Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others
Tiffany Waddell - HR Analyst
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
twaddell@ldaf.state.la.us
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:
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