Laboratory Assistant: Lab Support & Quality Assurance

West Virginia Department of Agriculture; Charleston (WV); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

West Virginia Department of Agriculture is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to perform routine lab tasks and support multiple labs in the Laboratory Services Division at Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV. The role involves sample handling, sub-sampling, labeling, and supporting analysts across Dairy, Seed, Meat, Microbiology, and Agricultural Materials labs.

Applicants must have two years of college credit in physical/biological sciences and six months in a technical lab; substitutions

Qualifications

• Two years of college credit including ten semester hours in physical or biological sciences.
• Six months of full-time paid employment in a technical laboratory.
• Substitutions: Graduation with 15 semester hours in physical sciences may substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Receive samples by mail or delivery and assign identification numbers for tracking.
• Prepare samples for analyses and ensure proper sub-sampling and labeling.
• Assist analysts in Dairy, Seed, Meat, Microbiology, and Agricultural Materials Labs.
• Clean and sterilize laboratory glassware and equipment.
• Perform quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Maintain records of all quality activities per SOPs and test methods.
• Handle samples and perform analyses according to SOPs.
• Maintain and calibrate equipment; report deficiencies.
• Identify and record nonconformities on corrective actions.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Laboratory safety

Equipment operation

Record keeping

Mathematical calculations

Following instructions

Sample handling

Analytical procedures

Biology & chemistry knowledge

Education

2-year college science credits

Lab science coursework

Physics/Chemistry/Biology background

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

West Virginia Department of Agriculture is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to perform routine lab tasks and support multiple labs in the Laboratory Services Division at Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV. The role involves sample handling, sub-sampling, labeling, and supporting analysts across Dairy, Seed, Meat, Microbiology, and Agricultural Materials labs.

Applicants must have two years of college credit in physical/biological sciences and six months in a technical lab; substitutions