Job Title:          Lab Assistant
Division:           Regulatory & Environmental Affairs
Salary:              $28,000
FLSA Status:    Non-exempt
Location:          Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV

OPEN UNTIL FILLED
 

Nature of Work: An employee in this position is responsible for performing routine laboratory tasks to conduct a variety of tests and assist other employees in more difficult analytical procedures.  

Working Conditions: Ability to sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time; frequently bend, squat, reach above shoulder level, push, pull and handle objects, and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.  Employment may require working with pathogenic microorganisms, hazardous chemicals such as disinfectants, acids, bases, mutagens, teratogens, and solvents, hot liquids, steam, and hot solid surfaces capable of burns; and warm, humid conditions can be found in the laboratory environment. Personal protective equipment is supplied to laboratory staff and is required to be worn.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Receives samples by mail or delivered by individuals for analyses and assigns each sample an identification number for tracking.
• Insures the integrity of samples received for analyses and records the disposition of the samples.
• Prepares samples for analyses, insures that each sample is properly sub-sampled and ground, labels the sub-sample with the sample number prior to submission to each laboratory section.
• Assists analysts in the Dairy, Seed, Meat, Microbiology, and Agricultural Materials Labs in the performance of their duties. 
• Cleans and sterilizes laboratory glassware and equipment.
• Performs required quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Maintains records of all quality activities as documented in SOPs and test methods.
• Handles samples and performs analyses according to SOPs and test methods.
• Maintains and calibrates equipment; reports deficiencies or malfunctions to Supervisor.
• Identifies and records non-conformities on Corrective Action Requests.
• Identifies and records potential non-conformities on Preventive Action Requests.
• Corrects non-conformities and potential non-conformities.
• Improves laboratory and/or quality activities on a continuous basis.
• Assists with the emergency maintenance of sample preparation and laboratory equipment as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of laboratory principles, techniques, equipment and terminology.
• Knowledge of the principles of chemistry, biology and bacteriology.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety and bio-security protocols.
• Skilled in performing delicate and complex laboratory procedures.
• Skilled in the operation and care of laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work with glassware and other fragile laboratory apparatus.
• Ability to learn the methods and procedures of a variety of routine laboratory tasks.
• Ability to perform calculations involving the application of basic mathematics.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to keep adequate laboratory records.

Qualifications:
Training:  Two years college credit including ten semester hours in the physical or biological sciences.
Experience:  Employment in a technical laboratory for a minimum of six months.
Substitution: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with 15 semester hours in one of the physical sciences, including a laboratory course in microbiology or chemistry.

Additional Requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.