Lab Tech

MDVA•Hyattsville, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Follows procedure, protocol, and policy to perform standardized tests to determine quantity or food safety and quality of products to ensure compliance with company or government quality standards. Follows good laboratory and manufacturing practices to ensure quality of work and reliability of performance.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum of an Associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related field, or at least two years’ experience in a Lab/QA position working in a food, chemical, or agricultural manufacturing facility. Dairy facility preferred.
Basic lab techniques, working knowledge of PC based systems (Excel, Word, email, etc.), data entry, and familiarity with laboratory safety standards.

Nice To Haves

Dairy facility preferred.

Responsibilities

Operates basic laboratory equipment, such as pH meter, auto-pipetters, FTIR, Charm Units, 3M Petrifilm, incubator.
Collects, prepares, and processes in-process and product samples for testing following standard procedures and protocols based on Standard Methods for the Examination of Milk Products , but not limited to: Antibiotic content Butterfat Total solids Homogenization efficiency Organoleptic testing for all milks from raw though shelf-life and end of code samples Sediment testing Viscosity Titratable acidity on raw milk, cream, recycle milk products.
Pasteurization efficiency Charm swab units Direct microscopic counts Standard plate counts Total coliform counts Yeast and mold counts Other basic laboratory testing as required to support milk operations
Conducts routine tests, measurements, and or non-routine testing per procedure and guidance: Temperature, weight, and volume checks Chemical concentration checks on various cleaning systems Water Quality Testing Environmental Testing (ATP Swabs) Allergen Testing (Allergen Swabs) Pre-Operation inspections on equipment and storage tanks
Records and organizes data accurately in lab notebooks and/or digital systems.
Escalates out-of-compliance results as defined or guided.
Ensures compliance with laboratory procedures and policies.
Become certified and maintains certification for antibiotic testing through biennial on-site evaluation by the state LEO (Laboratory Evaluation Officer). Performance competency is measured and approved by LEO split sampling program. Performance competency meets internal split sample competency testing.
Maintains lab cleanliness, sterilize equipment, and management of supply inventory.
Performs routine housekeeping of laboratory countertops, refrigeration units, cabinets, laboratory office area, etc.
Calibration of laboratory equipment and operations equipment as defined.
Follow safety protocols (OSHA, etc.) and always wears required PPE in facility.
Perform site-wide GMP audits as assigned.
Performs and stays current with all required Alchemy and in-person training.
Assists with experiments, research tasks, troubleshooting task, as requested.
Assists with investigation and troubleshooting of customer and consumer complaints.
Assists with investigation and troubleshooting of operational non-conformances.
Communicates and escalates non-conformances or issues as required in a timely manner.
Generates Certificate of Analysis or Certificate of Conformance as required per procedures.