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Laboratory Assistant 1

Salary
$2,772.00 – $3,592.00 Monthly
Location
Yakima County – Yakima, WA
Job Type
Full Time – Non-Permanent
Department
Dept. of Agriculture
Job Number
2018-07183
Closing
7/27/2018 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
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The Washington State Department of Agriculture serves the people of Washington by supporting the agricultural community and promoting consumer and environmental protection.

LABORATORY ASSISTANT 1 – YAKIMA

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has an opening for a non-permanent Laboratory Assistant 1 with the Plant Protection – Chemical and Hop Lab Program.  This position is located in Yakima, Washington.

The mission of the Chemical and Hop Laboratory is to analyze and certify agricultural products for our clients, providing quality results, assuring consumer protection, providing evidentiary information and grading hops for orderly marketing.  This programs commitment to be outstanding in quality process management and improvement is achieved through technical proficiency, expertise, and timely service.

This position is temporary and the role of the Hop Chemistry Lab Assistant is to perform repetitive and miscellaneous tasks to prepare hop sample for brewing value,  moisture and oil content analysis during the hop harvest (late August to early November).

The Laboratory Assistant 1 performs repetitive and miscellaneous tasks that support all sections of the Chemical and Hop Laboratory.  The tasks included but are not limited to:  washing glassware, cleaning the laboratory, receiving and preparing samples for analysis, and disposing of hazardous wastes and samples.

Duties
Include but not limited to:

  • Receiving, preparing, and storing hop samples.
  • Prepares samples for analysis including grinding, mixing, splitting, weighing, handling, storing, labeling, blending, and compositing.
  • Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and procedures.
  • As directed, perform routine analytical work (extractions) as per SOP.
  • General Laboratory Support
    • Clean the laboratory, including counters, floors, freezers, refrigerators, cabinets, and storage areas.
    • Wash and store glassware and other laboratory equipment in accordance with SOP.
    • Dispose of waste, including hazardous wastes, according to current regulations.
    • Monitor laboratory equipment including counters, fume hoods, refrigerators, cabinets, and storage areas to ensure they are functioning properly and can be used.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to listen and understand directions, information and ideas presented through spoken word or writing.
  • Maintain professional relationships at the workplace.

Preferred/desired Qualifications:

  • Ability to stand or walk most of the time; with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting and reaching.
Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY:To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile within www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents indicated below for this position in order to be considered.

Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying to the on-line profile.

Please attach the following documents indicated below to your profile (application) when submitting your on-line application:

  • A letter of interest describing your experience working in a laboratory.
  • A professional resume (separate from profile)

Please note: Failure to provide the following documents indicated above will result in disqualification. No documents will be accepted separate from this application.

If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact the human resource consultant listed below. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line of your email.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, you may call Lisa Biscay, HR Consultant at (360) 902-2020 or Lbiscay@agr.wa.gov.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems‘ web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)

You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.

Holidays

Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:

HOLIDAY
DATE
New Year’s Day
January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday
Third Monday in January
Presidents’ Day
Third Monday in February
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
First Monday in September
Veterans’ Day
November 11
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day
December 25
Personal Holiday
Employee’s selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

 
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.
Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency InformationView Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact