Hop Chemistry Lab Assistant | Non-Permanent

State of Washington•Yakima County – Yakima, WA

32d•Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking a full-time, non-permanent Laboratory Assistant 1 for the Plant Protection Division in Yakima, Washington. This position supports the Chemical and Hop Laboratory by preparing hop samples for analysis during the hop harvest season, typically from mid-August through mid-October. The WSDA has been a cornerstone of Washington's economy for over 100 years, serving the agriculture industry while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. The Plant Protection Division specifically works to protect agriculture and the environment from pests, supports pollinator and soil health, and tests for proper weights and measures and pesticide use. The Chemical and Hop Laboratory analyzes samples for pesticide misuse, feed and fertilizer content, pesticide residues in food and dairy, and performs physical grading and chemical analysis of the hop crop for marketing purposes.

Requirements

Completion of a Chemistry or Biology class or equivalent education/experience.

Nice To Haves

High School graduation or equivalent.
Experience performing laboratory or technical tasks.
Experience with agricultural or plant-based samples.
Knowledge of laboratory safety and compliance.

Responsibilities

Receive/collect hop samples from the Hop Inspection Lab.
Grind hop samples to prepare them for analysis (brewing value, moisture, and oil content).
Assist in labeling, weighing, extracting, and storing of hop samples.
Clean and store hop lab glassware and other laboratory equipment according to standard operating procedures.
Assist in maintaining the general upkeep and cleanliness of the hop laboratory, including surfaces, floors, cabinets, and storage areas.