Chemistry Technician I — Lead Lab Tech, Plant & Waste Testing

Ncagr; North Carolina; On-site; USD 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services invites applications for Chemistry Technician I in the Plant/Waste/Solution/Media lab in Wake County. You will perform moderately complex chemical analyses on plant tissues, waste, solution and media samples, under supervision and with a focus on accuracy.

The role emphasizes leading sample receiving processes, training staff, and ensuring timely turnaround, with hours 6:30 am–3:30 pm, Monday–Friday; overtime may be required.

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.
• Extractions of soilless media.
• Preparation of reagents, standards, and other chemicals.
• Serving as the lead technician for sample receiving and processing.
• Managing the accuracy of the daily analytical worklist.
• Overseeing and coordinating the workflow for the sample receiving staff.
• Training staff in plant, waste, solution and media sample check-in procedures.
• Training staff in plant, waste, solution and media processing procedures such as drying, grinding, homogenizing and weighing samples.

Skills

Basic lab practices

Moderately complex tests

Math calculations

Training staff

SOP and safety

Education

Associate degree in chemical/related sciences

Job description

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services invites applications for Chemistry Technician I in the Plant/Waste/Solution/Media lab in Wake County. You will perform moderately complex chemical analyses on plant tissues, waste, solution and media samples, under supervision and with a focus on accuracy.

The role emphasizes leading sample receiving processes, training staff, and ensuring timely turnaround, with hours 6:30 am–3:30 pm, Monday–Friday; overtime may be required.