Laboratory Technician 2

State of Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Teleworking

PPE provided

Paid holidays & vacation

Job summary

Washington State Department of Agriculture is recruiting a Laboratory Technician 2 in Yakima, WA. The role supports the Chemical and Hop Laboratory and analyzes samples for pesticides, residues, nutrients and elements. The position involves training new hires and handling sample reception, processing, and storage.

The incumbent will work to ensure quality testing per ISO 17025, assist in method development, and support environmental and consumer protection initiatives on a full-time basis.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with courses in chemistry or biology.
• Graduation with an associate degree (at minimum) or equivalent.
• Laboratory safety and compliance.
• Understand and follow detailed written and oral instructions.
• Experience performing laboratory or technical tasks.

Responsibilities

• Prepare samples for analysis per SOPs, including grinding, weighing, labeling and storage.
• Assist with extraction of samples and development of workflows for efficiency per ISO 17025.
• Clean and store laboratory glassware and equipment.
• Manage long-term sample storage and disposal as directed.
• Conduct monthly inventory of solvents and lab consumables.

Skills

Laboratory tasks

Detail oriented

Safety compliance

Education

Associate degree in chemistry or biology

Job description

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity:

The Plant Protection Division supports the agriculture industry and protects the environment and consumers by protecting agriculture and the environment from insect, weed, and pathogen pests, supporting pollinator and soil health, and testing for proper weights and measures and pesticide use. The Chemical and Hop Laboratory supports several agency programs by analyzing samples taken in investigations of alleged pesticide misuse and analyzing feed and fertilizer samples. Monitors for pesticide residues in food and dairy products. Carries out physical grading and chemical analysis of the hop crop to ensure orderly international and domestic marketing. The Laboratory Technician 2 independently performs repetitive and miscellaneous tasks in preparation for the analysis of agricultural, food and hop samples for pesticides, chemical residues, nutrients, and elements. This position is also required to help demonstrate and train new hires on sample receipt, processing, extractions, and general lab tasks.

Important Notes:

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time non-permanent Laboratory Technician 2 position within the Chemical and Hop Laboratory Division. The Laboratory Technician 2 position is located in Yakima, WA. This position is represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: Range 47 Step A $51,600 - Step L $67,704 annually.

Some of what you'll do:

Sample Preparation, Handling, and Storage

• Receive PDPsamples and inspects for damage,notifyingsupervisor and samplingmanagers ofanyrejected samples.
• Verify sample information before loggingsampleinto LabWorksLIMS, notifying supervisor and sampling of anymismatch.
• Prepare samples for analysis per PDP-Labop standard operating procedure,includingcomposing(grinding,mixing, splitting,blending) labeling,weighing, andstoring.
• Assistwith thedevelopmentandimprovementof workflows for efficiency and/or ergonomic gainsper ISO 17025, includingsuggested changes to documentation and training of other staff.
• Managesampleskept in long-term coldstorage,notifyingsupervisor of spacelimitationsorissues.
• Discard samples at the direction of PDP technical program manager (or designee).

Sample Extraction

• Coordinate with chemists on determining extraction date for sample set, to ensure that samples are pulled from long term storage and thawed for extraction.
• Preparethe benchfor the extraction, including paperwork, verificationofreagents,and coordinating with chemists for any extrasamplesand/or qualitycontrolsneededfor sampleset.
• Verifythe lab's needof the purchase of fruits,vegetables,or othercommoditiestobeused asmatrix blank duringextractions. Notifying supervisor if the purchaseisnecessary.
• Assist with extractionofsamples per standard operating proceduresusingvariouslaboratoryprocesses and equipment.
• Assist with the development and improvement of workflows for efficiency and/or ergonomic gains per ISO 17025, including suggested changes to documentation and training for staff.

General Duties

• Clean and stores glassware, as well as other laboratory equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Participate in the general upkeep and cleanliness of the laboratory, including but not limited to surfaces (e.g. routine thawing to prevent ice buildup), and storage areas.
• Collect and disposes of satellite waste, including hazardous waste disposal pick-ups. Monitor waste profiles to ensure that the laboratory is not generating too much waste and assists in coordinating waste disposal pick-ups.
• Conduct monthly inventory of solvents and assists in monthly inventory of food lab section consumables.
• Receive and store solvents, ensuring they are in acceptable condition (e.g. expiration date, correct grade, etc.).
• Prepare and maintain laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment needed to conduct work; this includes monitoring equipment per ISO 17025 requirements (e.g. daily verifications checks of balances and cold storage units, annual verification of thermometers, etc.).

Professionals with:

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree with courses in chemistry or biology.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable:

• Graduation with an associate degree (at minimum) or equivalent.
• Laboratory safety and compliance.
• Understand and follow detailed written and oral instructions.
• Experience performing laboratory or technical tasks.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable le

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at [e-mail].

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free [phone]. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.