Chemistry Technician II

Ncagr; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Chemistry Technician II (S) for the Core Analytical Laboratory. The role performs elemental analyses of feed, fertilizer, and forage samples using AA, ICP-OES, and digestion methods, supporting regulatory actions and service to farmers.

You will handle sample preparation, method verification, and maintain lab equipment in a fast-paced environment, with attention to ISO 17025 requirements and safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience performing sample digestions and / or chemistry testing.
• Ability to prepare analytical standard solutions and reagents while applying knowledge of inorganic chemistry methodology and laboratory safety practices
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work with matrices such as grass, hay, and nut

Responsibilities

• Performing basic elemental analysis of feed, fertilizer, and forage samples
• Performing laboratory support activities such as preparing samples for analysis, preparing reagents and washing labware
• Documenting all activities per ISO 17025 requirements and FDPD quality management system procedures

Skills

Sample digestion

Analytical chemistry

Instructions following

Lifting ability

Matrix handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical/biological sciences

Associate's degree with related chemistry lab experience

Equivalent education/experience

Job description

Agency Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services Division Agriculture Consumer Service Job Classification Title Chemistry Technician II (S) Position Number 60011903 Grade NC07

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

Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above. The Food & Drug Protection Division (FDPD) has five functioning sections, including the Food Section, the Dairy Section, the Feed Section, the Drug Section, and the Administrative Services Section. In addition, analytical support is provided to the Food & Feed Sections by the Food & Drug Protection Division’s three laboratory sections, i.e., the Inorganic Chemistry Section, Organic Chemistry Section, and Microbiology Section. The Division protects the health, welfare, and economic interests of consumers of foods, drugs, livestock feeds, fertilizers, and medical devices by ensuring, through inspections and analysis, that these products are wholesome and properly labeled.

The FDPD Inorganic Chemistry Section provides compositional analyses of food, animal feed, and fertilizer samples. Specifically, this section quantifies nutrients, minerals, and heavy metals in samples using a variety of instrumentation and analytical chemistry techniques. The Inorganic Chemistry Section is comprised of 5 laboratories: the Microanalytical Laboratory; the Core Analytical Laboratory; the Ion Chromatography Laboratory; the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Laboratory; and the Wet Chemistry Laboratory.

This position is specifically located in the Core Analytical Laboratory, which is responsible for the determination of minerals in fertilizer, feed, and forage using microwave assisted acid digestion, hot block acid digestion, atomic absorption spectrometry (AA), continuous flow analysis, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). This laboratory analyzes feed, forage, and fertilizer samples as a service to the farmers of North Carolina and to support regulatory actions by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Plant Industry Division and the FDPD Feed Section.

Responsibilities

• Performing basic elemental analysis of feed, fertilizer, and forage samples
• Performing laboratory support activities such as preparing samples for analysis, preparing reagents and washing labware
• Documenting all activities per ISO 17025 requirements and FDPD quality management system procedures

The employee in this position is responsible for understanding, performing, and evaluating a wide-range of standard wet chemistry and instrument-based methods and procedures, including Kjeldahl titration, continuous flow analysis, gravimetric analyses, and elemental analysis by combustion. The employee must complete analyses within established turnaround times.

The employee is also responsible for verifying and maintaining instrumentation and ensuring adequate laboratory supplies are available.

Employment is contingent upon the ability to pass a respirator medical and fit test.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $37,377 - $56,000

• Experience performing sample digestions and / or chemistry testing
• Ability to prepare analytical standard solutions and reagents while applying knowledge of inorganic chemistry methodology and laboratory safety practices
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work with matrices such as grass, hay, and nut

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.

Additional Employment Requirements

Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.

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.

* Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete.

* Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

• Bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution;
• 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 and two years of directly related chemistry laboratory experience;
• 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.