The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Food Safety and Consumer Services (FS-CS) Laboratory has one permanent, full-time opportunity for a Microbiologist 3 in our Olympia, WA lab. This position performs routine to complex microbiological and biochemical analysis of food, dairy, water, feed and environmental samples for regulatory purposes. Through this work, the Microbiologist 3 supports the Food Safety and Consumer Services mission to protect the public health by providing data on foodborne pathogens to regulatory agencies.

We are searching for someone who has at least three years of professional experience in a microbiology laboratory well as keen interest in Food Microbiology. We offer a generous benefit package which includes 11 paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, retirement and insurance, health, dental, and vision coverage, tuition reimbursement, training classes, and much more. While announcement will remain open until filled, we reserve the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It is to your advantage to apply early.

About the Position:
The successful applicant will be required to demonstrate and foster an attitude of being open and friendly to agency customers and coworkers, be willing to work to find ways to help customers solve problems as well as educate customers on the values of required actions.  Keep reading to find out more about the exciting work you will be doing!

• Provides subject matter expertise, troubleshooting, and technical advice to Food and Feed Safety Officers, federal agency staff, and other laboratorians.

• Performs bench testing as necessary to maintain competency and provide surge capacity.

• Validates and implements new methodologies as approved by management.

• Analysis of regulatory samples for pathogenic organisms using approved testing methods.
  • Conducts surveillance testing.
  • Conducts quality assurance testing in the technical sections.
  • Works under the requirements of ISO 17025:2005 Quality Management Systems for analysis.
  • Participates in teleconferences, meetings, seminars, training, and proficiency tests.

• Assists with research, development, evaluation, and validation of new food testing methods or matrix extensions.
  • Assists with producing reports of findings from laboratory efforts to evaluate, and validate new food testing methods to the funder and/or publish these findings in peer-review journals.
  • Works on assignments involving small scale method development or validation.
  • During emergency situations, work to extend methods to new matrices in order to produce valid test results quickly in response to food borne outbreaks.

• Performs standardized analysis of dairy, food and agriculture products with Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), HPLC, LC-MS, or other advanced instrumentation.

• Assists with testing in other technical areas within the FS-CS Laboratory.
  • Performs analysis in accordance with the FDA 2400 forms, laboratory work instructions and SOPs.  Experienced with completing bench sheets and reports for review by the section supervisor.
  • Maintains dairy analyst certification by successfully participating in annual FDA Milk Proficiency Program and triennial FDA on-site evaluations.
  • Conducts testing for food-borne pathogens on food samples brought to the Microbiology Laboratory by staff of the Food Safety Program.

• Provides assistance to the lab management and lab quality system.
  • Assists the laboratory management in grant application, proposal and annual report preparation, weekly testing reports review and preparation, and other admin duties.

• Provides training to less experienced microbiologist and internships, and acts as laboratory safety officer and/or end-of-day lab check as needed.

What we are looking for:
Minimum Qualifications:

• *Bachelor’s degree with a major in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and/or other biological fields which shows knowledge of microbiology theory, principles, and practices and laboratory procedures, equipment, and instruments.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience in a microbiology lab or similar lab science laboratory.
• Must be able to obtain certification as an analyst in the Interstate Milk Shippers program.
• Demonstrated experience training and/or overseeing the work of laboratory technical staff
• Demonstrated experience reviewing laboratory test results and quality control data.
• Demonstrated experience applying knowledge of various microbiology disciplines to modern instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience developing, evaluating, validating, verifying, and implementing new methods, procedures and instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience reading, synthesizing, and presenting information clearly orally and in writing.

*Equivalent education/lab experience may qualify based upon assessment from hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, public health or closed allied fields.
• Five years of professional experience in a microbiology or similar lab science laboratory at a Microbiologist-2 or equivalent level.
• Strong background in molecular biology, whole genome sequencing, HPLC, or LC-MS.
• Experience with microbiological testing of dairy, feed/food in a regulatory laboratory, and experience with microbiological research projects and quality assurance projects.
• Experience with grant writing and applications.

Supplemental Information:
This recruitment may be used to fill other Microbiologist 2 or 3 positions within the laboratory program.

The final candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal history background check prior to employment. Information received from the background check does not automatically make a candidate ineligible for employment.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. This means employees are required to pay regular union dues or non-association fees within 30 calendar days of their start date.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions:
*We abide by the ADA laws. Accommodations can be made if needed.
• Willing and able to work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a work day, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions.
• Willing and able to work in a tobacco, drug, and alcohol free environment.
• Willing and able to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends, to meet program needs and critical deadlines.
• Willing and able to occasionally travel throughout the state and nationwide which may include overnight stays, as required, while performing the duties of this position.
• Willing and able to legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle OR provide alternative transportation.
• Willing and able to able to stand for an extended period while working at the laboratory bench, and be able to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Willing and able to work in an environment with hazards are typical and BSL2 lab hazards including contact with bacterial pathogens.
• Willing and able to use Routine lab equipment including PPEs (gowns, gloves, respirators) etc..

HOW TO APPLY:

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:
• A letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;

• An unofficial transcript

To take advantage of Veteran’s preference, please attach your DD-214, member 4 long form, or your NGB-22. Please blackout your social security number and date of birth before attaching.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state’s on-line recruitment system.

If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact Lyndsey Beaupre, Recruiter, at (360) 902-2020 or jobs@agr.wa.gov. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line of your email.

The State of Washington actively supports diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who need assistance in the application process or who need this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2020 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388.