Laboratory Technician 2

State of Washington • Yakima County – Yakima, WA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking a full-time, non-permanent Laboratory Technician 2 for the Chemical and Hop Laboratory within the Plant Protection Division. This role is crucial for supporting agency programs by analyzing various samples, including those related to pesticide misuse investigations, feed and fertilizer analysis, and monitoring pesticide residues in food and dairy products. The position also involves physical grading and chemical analysis of the hop crop for marketing purposes. The Laboratory Technician 2 will independently perform repetitive tasks in sample preparation for analysis and will also be responsible for training new hires on laboratory procedures. The position is located in Yakima, WA.

Requirements

• Associate degree with courses in chemistry or biology.
• Equivalent Education/Experience.
• Laboratory safety and compliance.
• Understand and follow detailed written and oral instructions.
• Experience performing laboratory or technical tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation with an associate degree (at minimum) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Receive PDP samples and inspects for damage, notifying supervisor and sampling managers of any rejected samples.
• Verify sample information before logging sample into LabWorks LIMS, notifying supervisor and sampling of any mismatch.
• Prepare samples for analysis per PDP-Labop standard operating procedure, including composing (grinding, mixing, splitting, blending) labeling, weighing, and storing.
• Assist with the development and improvement of workflows for efficiency and/or ergonomic gains per ISO 17025, including suggested changes to documentation and training of other staff.
• Manage samples kept in long-term cold storage, notifying supervisor of space limitations or issues.
• Discard samples at the direction of PDP technical program manager (or designee).
• Coordinate with chemists on determining extraction date for sample set, to ensure that samples are pulled from long term storage and thawed for extraction.
• Prepare the bench for the extraction, including paperwork, verification of reagents, and coordinating with chemists for any extra samples and/or quality controls needed for sample set.
• Verify the lab's need of the purchase of fruits, vegetables, or other commodities to be used as matrix blank during extractions. Notifying supervisor if the purchase is necessary.
• Assist with extraction of samples per standard operating procedures using various laboratory processes and equipment.
• Assist with the development and improvement of workflows for efficiency and/or ergonomic gains per ISO 17025, including suggested changes to documentation and training for staff.
• Clean and stores glassware, as well as other laboratory equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.
• Participate in the general upkeep and cleanliness of the laboratory, including but not limited to surfaces (e.g. routine thawing to prevent ice buildup), and storage areas.
• Collect and disposes of satellite waste, including hazardous waste disposal pick-ups.
• Monitor waste profiles to ensure that the laboratory is not generating too much waste and assists in coordinating waste disposal pick-ups.
• Conduct monthly inventory of solvents and assists in monthly inventory of food lab section consumables.
• Receive and store solvents, ensuring they are in acceptable condition (e.g. expiration date, correct grade, etc.).
• Prepare and maintain laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment needed to conduct work; this includes monitoring equipment per ISO 17025 requirements (e.g. daily verifications checks of balances and cold storage units, annual verification of thermometers, etc.).

Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Recognition Leave
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree