Chemistry Technician I

NC Office of State Human Resources; North Carolina; On-site; USD 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Chemistry Technician I for the Plant/Waste/Solution/Media lab in the Agronomic Division. You will work in a fast-paced team environment analyzing plant tissue, waste, solution, and media samples as part of statewide diagnostic and advisory services.

Responsibilities include titration, pH and conductivity measurements, and overseeing sample receiving.

Qualifications

• General knowledge of basic laboratory practices.
• Ability to independently perform moderately complex laboratory tests and procedures, to perform basic mathematical calculations, and to record results with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to plan and assign work, train employees, and evaluate their work.
• Ability to understand and follow laboratory standard operating procedures and safety procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods of time and perform activities involving repetitive motion of the hands and wrists.

Responsibilities

• Determination of alkalinity and calcium carbonate equivalency by chemical titration.
• Measurement of pH and electrical conductivity by electrode.
• Extractions for plant chloride and nitrate and soilless media.
• Preparation of reagents, standards, and other chemicals.
• Serving as the lead technician for sample receiving and processing.
• Overseeing and coordinating the workflow for the sample receiving staff.
• Training staff in sample check-in and processing procedures.
• Performing as required plant, waste, solution and media processing procedures.

Skills

Lab practices

Moderately complex tests

Training staff

SOP & safety

Physical ability

Education

Associate's degree in chemical/biological sciences

Job description

Agency

Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services

Division

Agriculture Consumer Service

Job Classification Title

Chemistry Technician I (S)

Position Number

60011805

Grade

NC06

About Us

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Description Of Work

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

This position is open only to current NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services employees—including temporary employees (hired directly or through Temporary Solutions)—and former NCDA&CS employees eligible for RIF priority reemployment under G.S. 126.

The NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division provides statewide diagnostic and advisory services that increase agricultural productivity, promote responsible land management, and safeguard environmental quality. The Division is comprised of three laboratory sections and a field services section with a combined total of 58 employees. The Agronomic Division maintains a very active, employee-led safety program and is recognized as a Public-Sector Star site by the NC Department of Labor.

The Plant/Waste/Solution/Media (PWSM) lab at the Agronomic Division in the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is excited to announce the opening of a Chemistry Technician I position. You will work in a team environment that is high-volume and fast-paced analyzing plant tissue samples of various crops, waste samples from animal operations or industrial operations, solution samples from irrigation sources or greenhouse facilities, and media samples from the greenhouse industry.

Duties

• Determination of alkalinity and calcium carbonate equivalency by chemical titration
• Measurement of pH and electrical conductivity by electrode
• Extractions for plant chloride and nitrate
• Extractions of soilless media
• Preparation of reagents, standards, and other chemicals.
• Serving as the lead technician for sample receiving and processing

Lead Responsibilities For This Position Include

• Managing the accuracy of the daily analytical worklist
• Overseeing and coordinating the workflow for the sample receiving staff
• Training staff in (and performing as required) plant, waste, solution and media sample check-in procedures
• Training staff in (and performing as required) plant, waste, solution and media processing procedures such as drying, grinding, homogenizing and weighing samples.

This position will assist the lab supervisor, chemist I, and chemistry technician II positions with additional tasks as needed. The duties listed above will vary based on the time of year and laboratory staffing needs. The employee must be able to perform all duties independently by the end of the first year of service.

Normal working hours are 6:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, but occasional overtime may be required to meet established turnaround times.

• Must pass a fitness for duty/functional capacity evaluation post-offer paid for by the Department

A written practicum will be given to candidates during the interview.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range-$35,596-$49,650

• General knowledge of basic laboratory practices.
• Ability to independently perform moderately complex laboratory tests and procedures, to perform basic mathematical calculations, and to record results with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to plan and assign work, train employees, and evaluate their work.
• Ability to understand and follow laboratory standard operating procedures and safety procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods of time and perform activities involving repetitive motion of the hands and wrists.

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety-sensitive positions, and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.

Responders or individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations for the application process. 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.

Minimum Education And Experience

Associate's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution; 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.