Chemistry Technician II

State of North Carolina

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees. The Food & Drug Protection Division (FDPD) has five functioning sections, including the Food Section, the Dairy Section, the Feed Section, the Drug Section, and the Administrative Services Section. In addition, analytical support is provided to the Food & Feed Sections by the Food & Drug Protection Division’s three laboratory sections, i.e., the Inorganic Chemistry Section, Organic Chemistry Section, and Microbiology Section. The Division protects the health, welfare, and economic interests of consumers of foods, drugs, livestock feeds, fertilizers, and medical devices by ensuring, through inspections and analysis, that these products are wholesome and properly labeled. The FDPD Inorganic Chemistry Section provides compositional analyses of food, animal feed, and fertilizer samples. Specifically, this section quantifies nutrients, minerals, and heavy metals in samples using a variety of instrumentation and analytical chemistry techniques. The Inorganic Chemistry Section is comprised of 5 laboratories: the Microanalytical Laboratory; the Core Analytical Laboratory; the Ion Chromatography Laboratory; the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Laboratory; and the Wet Chemistry Laboratory. The ICP-MS Laboratory is responsible for identifying and quantifying heavy metals in food samples using microwave assisted acid digestion, hot block acid digestion, ICP-MS, and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS). This laboratory additionally supports the Core Analytical Laboratory through mineral analysis of feed, forage, and fertilizer samples using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Data generated through these analyses support regulatory actions by the FDPD Food and Feed Sections and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Plant Industry Division.

Requirements

• Experience performing sample digestions and / or chemistry testing.
• Ability to prepare analytical standard solutions and reagents.
• Ability to apply knowledge of inorganic chemistry methodology and laboratory safety practices.
• Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions including but not limited to safety procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and to work with matrices such as grass, hay, and nut.
• Employment is contingent upon the ability to pass a respirator medical and fit test.
• Bachelor's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution; or Associate's degree in one of the chemical, biological, microbiological, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum including related chemistry laboratory coursework from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related chemistry laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• preparing and digesting food, feed, fertilizer, and forage samples for elemental analysis
• performing laboratory support and maintenance activities to maintain analytical readiness
• documenting all activities per ISO 17025 requirements and FDPD quality management system procedures

Benefits

• Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees