Lab Technician 1

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

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 preharvest seed field inspections and laboratory seed testing of agriculture, 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. 

WSDA Seed Program provides accredited laboratory services for state seed regulatory needs, seed certification tagging, and common seed labeling. Seed viability is required label components for The Federal Seed Act and state labeling laws. This position works in the viability area of the lab and supports the laboratory supervisor. With little assistance, performs technical laboratory work and research, performing routine and advanced laboratory testing. This position may oversee the work of others who are in-training and participating in the training process for new employees. 

Important Notes

This is an in-training opportunity and may be hired as Laboratory Assistant 1 or Laboratory Assistant 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 Assistant 1 level, the incumbent will be required to successfully complete the training plan to reach the goal class of Laboratory Assistant 2. If hired at the Laboratory Assistant 2 level, the incumbent will be required to successfully complete the training plan to reach the goal class of Laboratory Technician 1. 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. 

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Laboratory Technician 1 position within the Commodity Inspection Services Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Based on qualifications the monthly salary range:
If hired as a Laboratory Assistant 1 - In-Training: 
Range 38, Step A $39,804 - Step L $52,920

If hired as a Laboratory Assistant 2 - In-Training: 
Range 42, Step A $43,716 - Step L $58,380

If hired as a Laboratory Technician 1: 
Range 44. Step A $45,732 - Step L $61,404

Duties

Include, but are not limited to:

• Provide interpretation of regulations specific to the program daily operation, such as, Federal Seed Act, WAC's, AOSCA, OECD, ISTA, Canadian Grade, PCiT/PExD, and ISO-9001;2015
• Perform technical laboratory work and research, performing routine, and advanced laboratory testing.
• Use and verify calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Conduct testing in a timely manner according to training and experience to produce quality results for certification, labeling, and marketing seed.
• Enter and retrieve data from a specialized seed laboratory testing program database in addition to a good working knowledge of Microsoft and WSDA programs.
• May 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 samples. Contaminates need to be identified and can consist of numerous types of inert matter, other crop, weed seed, common weeds, prohibited, noxious, restricted noxious, all states noxious, western states noxious, and phytosanitary weed, pest, and diseases.  
• Ability to identify seedling abnormalities which are most commonly dead and abnormal seedlings. Normal and dormant/hard seed identified are reported as well. Lab techs in viability normally report findings as percentages. 
• Will 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 examination and Clearfield and Axigen trait tests.
• Use specific chemicals for specific seed tests. Dissect and prepare biological tissue samples for identification and/or viability.
• Conduct testing and duties of lower-level laboratory staff and program duties when necessary.
• May perform more complex determination as part of training for higher-level positions.
• Remain in good standing with AOSA/SCST as a certified analyst and participates in continuing education and proficiency testing requirements with passing scores to maintain accreditation. 
• Participate in USDA ASL audit process and program accreditation.
• Participate in annual ISO audit process including but not limited to review of procedures, desk instructions, quality assurance records and interviews by authors.
• Verify documents provided by the stakeholders with seed samples to ensure it meets certification program requirements and passes certification inspection standards according to program policy.
• Mix and divide submitted samples into sub samples for testing using the appropriate seed dividing equipment.
• Mix chemical solutions for testing. 

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

Laboratory Assistant 1 
High school diploma or GED.

Laboratory Assistant 2
High school diploma or GED.
One (1) year experience with laboratory practices or equivalent education/experience.

Laboratory Technician 1
High school diploma or GED.
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, flower seeds. native species, and vegetables seed.
At least one (1) year experience as a Laboratory Assistant 2 certification with AOSA/SCST in purity or viability testing.
Must have and maintain technician certification with AOSA/SCST.
Must maintain a valid driver's license.
Must be able to lift to 30 pounds or use hand carts to move large items.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of State, Federal and International seed testing procedures.
• Experience working with a seed testing laboratory computer program or equivalent.
• Familiarity with seed testing processes, procedures and standards such as Association of Official Seed.
• Analysts (AOSA) International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). Canadian Methods and Procedures, Federal Seed Act.
• Knowledge of elementary bacteriology and chemistry, routine laboratory procedures and arithmetic.
• Familiar with and be able to locate Washington State Administrative Codes related to seed certification standards and United States Department of Agriculture regulations.  

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 here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program. 

 

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

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:   

 

· Current 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.  Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.  

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected].

 

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 [email protected].  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.