Seed Analyst In-Training

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 WSDA Seed Program provides accurate, timely and high-quality seed analysis and certification services while continually striving for improvements in methods and technologies to assure success for the program and its seed industry stakeholders. WSDA Seed Program is a unit within the Commodity Inspection Division that conducts pre-harvest seed field inspections and laboratory seed testing of agricultural, vegetable, native plants, rangeland grasses and flower seeds grown under the certification and phytosanitary programs. The program is responsible for seed certification, seed testing, phytosanitary visual seed inspection, seed inspection and official seed sampling as well as the program is the state seed regulatory agent. Additionally, the program monitors two seed quarantines to assist producers to replicate disease and pest free commodities.  

Important Notes

This is an in-training opportunity and may be hired as a Laboratory Technician 1 or a Laboratory Technician 2 depending on qualifications.

What is an in-training plan? The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable. 

If hired at the Laboratory Technician 1 level, the incumbent will be required to successfully complete the training plan to reach the goal class of Laboratory Technician 2. 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.

Based on qualifications the monthly salary range:

If hired as a Laboratory Technician 1 - In-Training:

Range 44, Step A $47,100 - Step L $61,644

If hired as a Laboratory Technician 2:

Range 47, Step A $50,592 - Step L $66,372

Duties

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Conduct laboratory purity or germination testing. Apply certification standards according to Chapter 16-301 and 16-302 WAC, Canadian Seed Testing, International Seed Testing Association, or other certification standards and customer requests.

• Provide interpretation of regulations specific to the program daily operation.
• Perform technical laboratory work and research, routine, and advanced laboratory testing.
• Use and verify calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Conduct testing to produce quality results for certification, labeling, and marketing seed.
• Enter and retrieve data from a Specialized Seed Laboratory testing Program database.
• Review and/or sign completed laboratory reports before they are released to stakeholders.
• Identify, classify, and calculate quantities of contaminates, and/or abnormalities found in submitted.
• Identify seedling abnormalities which are most commonly dead and abnormal seedlings.
• Conduct testing according to AOSA/SCST, USDA, Washington, Canadian, International standards and special testing requests.
• Maintain knowledge of seed structures and abnormalities that impact the seed or seedlings.
• Enter result accurately into Pure Harvest to be delivered to stakeholders.
• Conduct testing and apply any applicable certification standards to all samples submitted.
• Conduct additional quality examinations such as Clearfield and Axigen trait tests.
• Attend training on how to apply the individual customized customer requests when applicable.
• Use specific chemicals for specific seed tests.
• Dissect and prepare biological tissue samples for identification and/or viability.
• Participates in conducting research projects for proposed and future national seed testing rules.
• Prevent cross contamination of samples and tests.
• Understand, participate, and abide by the accreditation ISO principles and ASL program standards.
• Follow all WSDA and Seed Program safety protocol.

• Conduct testing and duties of lower-level laboratory staff and program duties when necessary.
• Perform more complex determination as part of training for higher-level positions.
• Participate in coordination of training new staff members and communicating seed testing rules and program accreditation.
• Participate in coordination of education and demonstrations.
• Present technical data or outreach educational material to industry on behalf of the program.
• Represent the program.

• Remains in good standing with AOSA/SCST as a certified analyst
• Participate in continuing education requirements to maintain accreditation.
• Maintain SCST accreditation by participation in continuing education requirements.
• Pass AOSA/SCST annual proficiency test.
• Participate in USDA ASL audit process and program accreditation.
• Participate in annual ISO audit process.
• Verify documents with seed samples to ensure it meets certification program requirements and passes certification inspection standards.
• Prepare samples for the OECD grow out test plots mid make test plot stakes for identification.
• Assist with developing training plans and goals for new laboratory staff.
• Assist in field inspection, planning and planting of OECD test plots and plot maintenance.
• Assist in sections of the lab they are not regularly assigned to.
• Assist with chemical inventory and supply ordering and restocking.
• File samples and retrieve samples for additional tests.
• Collect submitted sample envelopes and file them by year and lab number for sample retention.
• Retrieve samples from the storage area for retesting.
• Mix and divide submitted samples into sub samples for testing.
• Assist with sanitizing lab equipment.
• Gather and transport contaminated glassware or laboratory materials to the designated sanitation areas.
• Sterilize, sort and restock lab equipment according to laboratory procedures.
• Assist with the annual purging of file samples.
• Mix chemical solutions for testing.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:
Laboratory Technician 1:

• One (1) year experience with laboratory practices or in an agricultural environmental setting such as a seed warehouse, applying regulations and standards or equivalent education/experience.

• Minimum of two (2) years working in a seed testing laboratory conducting purity and or germination with a wide variety of reclamation grasses, turf grasses, grains, flowers seeds, native species, and vegetables seed.
• At least one (1) year experience as a Laboratory Assistant 2 or Laboratory Technician 1
• Certification with AOSA/SCST In purity or viability testing.
• Must have and maintain technician certification with AOSA/SCST.
  
  
  

Supplemental Information

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 herefor more information.
• 12 paidHolidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency. 

How to apply 

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:    

· A resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

· Three professional references 

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

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 legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.

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 (877) 664-1960. 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.