Hatchery Lab Technician I

Aviagen•Elkmont, AL

About The Position

The Hatchery Lab Technician I manages day-to-day technical operations of the hatchery laboratory quality system. The role coordinates activities required to meet ISO technical requirements, monitors and advises on system performance, distributes performance reports, and liaises with internal Hatchery Lab Quality and Technical Specialists to support compliance. The technician processes samples and performs routine laboratory tests under direct supervision, prepares laboratory media and solutions, enters sample and result data, and maintains laboratory supply inventory, hygiene, and procedural compliance. The hatchery’s variable operating start times require extremely flexible hours, including early mornings and/or late afternoons. Weekend rotations may be required. The position requires daily showering into and out of the hatchery facility for biosecurity and adherence to company requirements concerning biosecurity, animal welfare, safety, ISO 17025 accreditation, and drugs and alcohol. The work takes place indoors year-round, with some work outside as circumstances require. Conditions may include hot or cold temperatures, airborne particles, chemicals, hatchery and farm odors, and potential exposure to blood and other bodily fluids while handling samples. The technician must be comfortable handling hatchery and farm samples while preserving sample integrity, and must remain attentive to surroundings, tasks, unusual results, possible contamination, and data-collection practices. For biosecurity, the candidate cannot own or house wild or domesticated avian species and must observe a strict 72-hour quarantine after contact with non-Aviagen avian species.

Requirements

Must be able to work extremely flexible hours, including early mornings and/or late afternoons, in response to varying hatchery start times.
Must be willing to work weekend rotations as necessary.
Must be comfortable handling hatchery and farm samples while maintaining sample integrity.
Must remain cognizant of surroundings, the task at hand, aberrant results, potential contamination, and general data-collection practices.
Cannot own or house wild or domesticated avian species for biosecurity purposes.
Must adhere to a strict 72-hour quarantine period after contact with non-Aviagen avian species.
Must be able to walk and stand for extended periods and traverse uneven terrain safely.
Must frequently carry or lift objects and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
Must perform repetitive tasks requiring hand and wrist dexterity.
Must safely pick up materials stored at ground level.
Must be able to apply 50 pounds of force to push carts.
Must frequently kneel or squat and perform tasks at floor level or on the knees.
Must be able to wear task-required PPE, such as safety glasses, work gloves, and work shoes.
Must be able to perform repetitive bending, lifting, kneeling, standing, and walking, and have contact with live animals.
Must be able to work indoors year-round and, in some situations, outdoors, including exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.
Must be able to work around airborne particles such as dust and dander, chemicals such as detergents, disinfectants, and vaccines, hatchery and farm odors, and potentially blood and other bodily fluids.

Responsibilities

Maintain sufficient inventory of laboratory supplies to prevent work delays.
Process samples accurately and efficiently while maintaining sample integrity.
Follow laboratory work instructions and perform assigned routine laboratory tests under direct supervision.
Prepare media and solutions used within the laboratory.
Enter samples and results into the laboratory data management system.
Maintain laboratory hygiene in the workspace and for equipment and tools used.
Follow company policies and established requirements for biosecurity, animal welfare, safety, ISO 17025 accreditation, and drugs and alcohol.
Attend during normal working hours or the schedule assigned by Laboratory Management.
Work weekend rotations as necessary.
Coordinate activities supporting ISO technical requirements, monitor and advise on quality-system performance, and distribute performance reports.
Liaise with internal Hatchery Lab Quality and Technical Specialists to support compliance.
Perform other duties as required by Laboratory Management.
Shower into and out of the hatchery facility each day to maintain biosecurity.