Lab Technician I

Aviagen•Quitman, GA

About The Position

The Lab Technician I manages day-to-day technical aspects of the laboratory quality system. The role coordinates activities needed to meet ISO technical requirements, monitors and advises on system performance, distributes performance reports, and liaises with internal Lab Quality and Technical Specialists to support compliance. The technician maintains laboratory supplies, processes samples, performs routine tests under direct supervision, prepares media and solutions, and enters samples and results into the laboratory data management system. The position requires following laboratory work instructions and company policies, maintaining a clean work area and equipment, and being available for weekend rotations as necessary and for the schedule set by Laboratory Management. The work involves handling farm samples and, at times, live animals, chemicals, biological materials, airborne particles, odors, and a range of temperatures. The role requires adherence to biosecurity, animal welfare, safety, ISO 17025 accreditation, and drugs-and-alcohol requirements. For biosecurity, employees cannot own or house wild or domesticated avian species and must follow a 72-hour quarantine after contact with non-Hubbard avian species.

Requirements

Comfort handling farm samples while maintaining sample integrity.
Ability to remain cognizant of surroundings, tasks, aberrant results, potential contamination, and general data-collection practices.
Must not own or house any wild or domesticated avian species.
Must adhere to a strict 72-hour quarantine period after contact with non-Hubbard avian species.
Ability to wear work-required personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, work gloves, and work shoes.
Ability to walk and stand for extended periods and safely traverse uneven terrain.
Frequently carry or lift objects and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks requiring hand and wrist dexterity.
Ability to pick up materials stored at ground level.
Ability to apply 50 pounds of force to push carts.
Ability to frequently kneel or squat and perform tasks at floor level or on the knees.
Ability to perform work involving repetitive bending, lifting, kneeling, standing, and walking.
Ability to work around airborne particles such as dust and dander, chemicals such as detergents, disinfectants, and vaccines, blood and other bodily fluids, farm smells and foul odors, and very hot or cold temperatures.
Ability to work indoors year-round; some situations may require outdoor work.
Some tasks involve contact with live animals.

Responsibilities

Maintain sufficient laboratory supply inventory to prevent work delays.
Process samples accurately and efficiently while maintaining sample integrity.
Follow procedures outlined in laboratory work instructions.
Perform assigned routine laboratory tests under direct supervision.
Prepare laboratory media and solutions.
Enter samples and results into the laboratory data management system.
Follow company requirements for biosecurity, animal welfare, safety, ISO 17025 accreditation, and drugs and alcohol.
Attend work during normal working hours or the schedule assigned by Laboratory Management.
Maintain good hygiene in the laboratory workspace and for equipment and tools used.
Perform other duties as required by Laboratory Management.
Work weekend rotations as necessary.
Remain alert to surroundings, assigned tasks, aberrant results, potential contamination, and sound data-collection practices.