Milk Tech Specialist - 141874

UC San Diego Health; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Health is seeking a Milk Lab Specialist at Jacobs Medical Center. The role involves handling raw milk, pasteurization, and dispensing donor human milk for hospitals and families, plus preparing fortified feeds.

You will lead junior staff and help implement process improvements. Qualifications include a Food Handler Certification, 3 years of relevant breast milk handling experience, a dry ice card within 90 days, and strong data and equipment skills.

Qualifications

• Food Handler Education Certification must be current.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience handling breast milk in healthcare or milk bank setting.
• Dry ice handler card within 90 days.
• Solid computer skills for data recording.
• Ability to utilize specialized equipment.
• High attention to detail, deadlines, accuracy and organization.
• Knowledge of shipping requirements and hazardous materials.
• Ability to identify, prioritize, and manage all supply inventory according to policies.

Responsibilities

• Receipt and transportation of raw milk; pasteurization and dispensing of donor human milk to hospitals and families.
• Preparation of fortified human milk and formula for hospitalized patients.
• Lead and mentor junior counterparts; assist with process improvements.
• Troubleshoot pasteurization and shipping processes; assist with feeding preparations.

Skills

Breast milk handling

Data entry

Equipment handling

Attention to detail

Shipping knowledge

Education

Food Handler Certification

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Payroll Title

HOSP LAB TCHN 3

Department

Clinical Nutrition

Hiring Pay Scale

$41.86 - $52.08 / Hour

Worksite

Jacobs Medical Center

Appointment Type

Career

Appointment Percent

100%

Union

EX Contract

Total Openings

1

Work Schedule

Days, 8-Hour Shifts , Sunday-Saturday

#141874 Milk Tech Specialist

Filing Deadline

Fri 10/30/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

This is a UC San Diego Internal Recruitment open to UCSD and UCSD Health System Staff Only

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/27/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

Description

Under general supervision, the Milk Lab Specialist is responsible performing specific tasks related to the receipt and transportation of raw milk; preparation, pasteurization, and dispensing of donor human milk to be supplied to hospitals, families, and other non-profit milk banks; preparation of fortified human milk and formula to be supplied to hospitalized patients. Serves as a resource for trouble shooting pasteurization and shipping processes; preparation and dispensing of prepared nutrition feedings; assists with developing and implementing process improvements, serves as a lead and mentor to junior counter parts. May perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Food Handler Education Certification.
• Three (3) years of relevant experience handling breast milk (either mixing/preparing, receiving, disposing) within a healthcare or milk bank setting or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Dry ice handler card within 90 days.
• Solid computer skills necessary for effective data recording.
• Ability to utilize specialized equipment.
• High attention to detail, deadlines, accuracy and organization.
• Knowledge of shipping requirements and hazardous materials.
• Ability to properly identify, prioritize, and handle all supply inventory in accordance with all applicable policies and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience as a milk tech, feedings room preparation, surgical tech, lab tech or med tech.
• Experience with the receiving, storage, and processing of biological materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Human Milk Banking standards.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $87,404 - $108,743 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $41.86 - $52.08

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health is the only academic health system in the San Diego region, providing leading-edge care in patient care, biomedical research, education, and community service. Our facilities include two university hospitals, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, the only Burn Center in the county, and dozens of outpatient clinics. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace