Intermittent Laboratory Technician 2 (CPL)

State-of-Ohio; Reynoldsburg (OH); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is seeking an entry-level Laboratory Technician to join the Consumer Protection Laboratory team in Reynoldsburg, OH. You will perform routine lab tasks, prepare reagents, and assist with sample processing under supervision.

Responsibilities include maintaining chain of custody, logging samples, preparing standard solutions, and supporting higher level analysts with testing and data entry.

Qualifications

• Background in laboratory work or related science.
• Basic arithmetic: fractions, decimals and percentages.
• Ability to read, write and speak English.
• Experience with laboratory equipment or basic testing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs assigned laboratory activities following SOPs and supervisor instructions.
• Logs in, stores, disposes samples and maintains chain of custody using computer systems.
• Calculates chemical quantities and prepares reagents/standard solutions.
• Prepares reagents and standard solutions for testing.
• Performs sample homogenization, extraction and preparation for analysis.
• Receives official lab samples from staff, couriers and clients.
• Maintains chain of custody and related documentation.
• Assists with sample accessioning and clarifications on irregular entries.
• Receives supplies and coordinates with couriers/vendors.
• Responds to phone/email inquiries and routes as needed.
• Sets up courier shipments for the lab.
• Maintains visitor logs and access passes.
• Liaises with vendors for lab attire, gases and vending services.
• Cleans glassware and lab utensils; assists with instrument maintenance.
• Participates in quality-related activities and meetings.
• Uses LIMS and supports data entry and record filing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Laboratory

Job description

All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.

Organization: Agriculture

Work Location:
8995 E Main Street
Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068-3399
United States

Compensation: $22.59

Schedule: Intermittent - Full Time

Work Hours: 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday

Classified Indicator: Unclassified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill: Laboratory

Who We Are

Agriculture isthe heart of it all in Ohio!
The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects allOhioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resourcesand supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to GovernorDeWine. Food and agriculture is one of Ohio’s top industries employing one ineight people. Ohio is home to more than 73,000 farms, with agriculture touchingevery part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheeseproduction, but we are top three in the nation’s egg production and seventh insoybean production. Ohio’s farmers impact those well beyond state lines,feeding families across the nation.
ODA’s beautiful campus is located inReynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequentthe campus for coffee and lunch.

You’ll find great coworkers here, who areexperts in their field and care about the work they do.

What We Do

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculturemeans strengthening our state with the help of our 25 divisions programs. Ourstaff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. Weprotect Ohio’s farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all whilekeeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are hometo the state’s top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewidelab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you payfor through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio’s 94county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, andprotects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

The Consumer Protection Laboratory (CPL) is the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s primary testing facility dedicated to safeguarding the state’s food supply and agricultural products. CPL conducts microbiological and chemical testing on meat, dairy, produce, and processed foods to detect harmful pathogens, environmental contaminants, and pesticide residues. Additionally, the laboratory provides toxicological analysis, regulatory drug testing for livestock and racehorses, and investigative support for consumer safety complaints.

As a member of team ODA, you will be workingwith people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a differencefor all Ohioans.

What You'll Do

Noag background, no problem! You’ll learn all about agriculture from ourtop-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

Thisposition is responsible for:

• Performs assignedlaboratory activities following appropriate Standard Operating Procedures(SOP's) and/or as instructed by the supervisor
• Receives, logs in, stores,disposes samples and maintains chain of custody utilizing various computerdocumentation software
• Possesses knowledge in basic chemistry and math tocalculate the amount of chemicals (solids or liquids) and volumes of solventsto prepare reagents and standard solutions
• Prepares laboratory reagents andstandard solutions
• Performs (and assists higher level analysts) samplehomogenization, extraction and preparation of samples to be tested
• Receives official laboratory samples from stateemployees, couriers and other clients
• Maintains proper chain of custody ofsamples including assignment of accession numbers, maintaining paperwork,verifying temperatures and other sample conditions, notifying relevantlaboratory sections and data entry
• Works with clients to pre-accession samplesand seek clarification on irregular sample entries
• Receives supplies fromcouriers and vendors (e.g. opens boxes, crosschecks packing lists againstpurchase orders, completes all documentation requirements, designates suppliesto various laboratory sections)
• Answers telephone / email inquiries and/orredirects them to other parts of the laboratory
• Sets up courier shipments onbehalf of the laboratory
• Maintains visitor logs and visitor access passes
• Acts as liaison between laboratory personnel and vendors responsible forproviding laboratory attire, for laboratory gases, and for vending machines
• Cleans and assists higher levelanalysts in cleaning glassware and other utensils required in the laboratory
• Performs and assists higher level analysts in performing preventive maintenanceof basic equipment (e.g., cleaning freezers, refrigerators, checking balances)
• Performs and assists higher level analysts in performing inventory oflaboratory supplies/reagents/consumables and ordering/receiving of suchsupplies/reagents/consumables
• Notifies supervisor or designee about the need forsupplies/reagents/consumables
• Assists with dataentry into the laboratory information management system (LIMS) and assists infiling of documents and laboratory data worksheets and maintains necessaryrecords
• Cleans and maintains lab equipment,instruments and laboratory area (e.g., operatesautomatic dishwasher, cleans sinks, benches and other laboratory areas); assistswith writing and reviewing pertinent SOPs as needed
• Participates in qualityrelated activities; attends section group meetings
• Uses QPulse (qualitymanagement software)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information

Thisposition shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEACollective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members haveselection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All otherapplications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicantis not selected for this position.

WeSupport Diversity and Inclusion

ODAvalues its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive andengaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced andcelebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions theadvancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which theseefforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equalaccess.

Unusual Working Conditions:

Exposed to animal fluids/tissues

Qualifications:

Formal education in arithmetic that included fractions, decimals & percentages & reading, writing & speaking English 3 courses in high school science (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, microbiology) which included laboratory testing & use & maintenance of laboratory equipment or 12 months experience in science laboratory preparing specimens & samples for testing, preparing reagents &/or conducting basic/routine laboratory tests.
-Or 12 months experience as Laboratory Technician 1, 86111.
-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Laboratory

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, pleasenotify the assigned recruiter.

This position is Unclassified 124.11 (A)(##), Ohio Revised Code

The final candidateselected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal backgroundcheck. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use ofmarijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). The recommendedcandidate for this position may be required to take a drug screen as part of their approval process. A candidate who tests positive for illegal orimproperly used controlled drugs will not be hired.