LABORATORY ASSOCIATE I (UPWARD MOBILITY) - CANNABIS TESTING

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

5d•$4,407 - $5,879•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) Division of Cannabis Regulation is expanding and seeks dedicated candidates for the Laboratory Associate position to support the success of this dynamic industry. IDOA oversees a wide range of licenses—including craft growers, infusers, and transporters—and regulates both adult-use and medical cannabis centers. This position directly supports the IDOA’s accredited state laboratory, which is critical to creating a safe and equitable industry. The Laboratory Associate will play a key role in laboratory operations, including traveling to cannabis facilities to securely collect and transport samples using the Seed to Sale program for chain of custody, and preparing various cannabis products for critical chemical analysis through sieving, grinding, and homogenization. The Associate will also be responsible for receiving, logging, and tracking samples using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), maintaining laboratory cleanliness and equipment, managing hazardous waste disposal, monitoring inventory, and performing safety checks, all as outlined in the essential functions of the role.

Requirements

Requires education and experience equivalent to an associate's degree with courses in the laboratory sciences.
Qualifying state employees in the Upward Mobility Program shall have the stated requirements of this classification waived by successful completion of specific proficiency tests and training programs.
Requires completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties.
Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Prefers elementary knowledge of the principles and practices of chemistry, biology, physics and related sciences.
Prefers elementary knowledge of laboratory procedures and techniques.
Prefers experience using laboratory equipment safely in performing routine and standard laboratory tests.
Prefers experience handling test items in a manner that ensures proper chain-of-custody and inventory management.
Prefers experience using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
Prefers experience using an electronic inventory management system and conducting audits of inventory items.
Prefers experience using excel to perform calculations and descriptive statistics on scientific data.

Responsibilities

Travels to cultivation centers, infusers, and other cannabis facilities to collect and transport samples securely to the Bureau of Cannabis Testing (BCT) laboratory for analysis.
Prepares plant, concentrate, infused products and other items for sub-microgram analysis of cannabis products.
Receives, logs, and tracks samples collected by BCT staff, delivered by inspectors, or other third parties using the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
Thoroughly cleans, prepares, and performs preventative maintenance of equipment and glassware for use by chemists in the analysis of cannabis products.
Dispose of samples, standards, and solutions used for chemical and microbial analysis of cannabis products and document the disposal in LIMS or similar logs.
Monitors stock of consumable items, chemicals, reagents, and other critical items in LIMS or other associated logs.
As a part of a team and according to a checklist, perform quarterly safety checks In the laboratory, including verifying dates of service for equipment, ensuring the functionality of safety equipment, and expiry dates of equipment such as fire extinguishers and first aid supplies.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.