Laboratory Technician 1 – PROJECT - DOH7014 Job at State of Washington Dept. of Health
Description
This is a full-time, project Laboratory Technician 1 position located within the Division of Disease Control & Health Statistics, in the Office of Environmental Lab Sciences. This project position is currently funded through July 31, 2024.
This Laboratory Technician 1 position supports the scientists testing various types of samples. This position is required to have an on-site presence to perform a variety of laboratory preparations and testing of samples in Environmental Microbiology Laboratory and to perform laboratory quality assurance testing as required by accreditation standards.
In this onsite position, you will:
- Communicate and coordinate sample submissions and sample kits for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater to and from the Washington Public Health Laboratories (WAPHL) from a variety of sources such as wastewater facilities, Local Health Jurisdictions, and businesses submitting environmental samples.
- Work in a team environment and will follow the direction of the lead microbiologist as well as the supervisor.
- Perform accessioning, inventory, and recycle the resources needed by the scientists for their work.
- Perform basic tasks in the preparation and analysis of samples in the laboratories, and to help with reporting and filing of the results of the analyses.
About the Washington Public Health Laboratories
The WAPHL supports the efforts of local health jurisdictions in routine disease monitoring as well as during disease outbreaks. The PHL assists health care providers by identifying organisms and shares the results of reportable conditions with local health jurisdictions as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the only Washington lab that identifies rare diseases like Rabies, Hantavirus, West Nile virus and analyzes clinical samples of statewide outbreaks of human illness, biotoxins and bacteria for shellfish contamination, and identifies agents suspected in terrorist events.
About the Department of Health
The vision of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is equity and optimal health for all. Our mission is to work with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. Learn more about the DOH Transformational Plan.
Our Values
Good organizations know what they do and how they do it. Great organizations also understand why they do it. Our values encompass the following:
- Human-centered: We see others as people who matter like we do and take into account their needs, challenges, contributions, and objectives.
- Equity: We are committed to fairness and justice to ensure access to services, programs, opportunities, and information for all.
- Collaboration: We seek partnership and collaboration to maximize our collective impact. We cannot achieve our vision alone.
- Seven Generations: Inspired by Native American culture, we seek wisdom from those who came before us to ensure our current work protects those who will come after us.
- Excellence: We strive to demonstrate best practices, high performance, and compelling value in our work every day.
The Washington State Department of Health acknowledges that our locations statewide are on the homelands of Native people, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, within the boundaries of Washington State, there are 36 tribes, 29 of which are federally recognized, that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represent multiple tribes or bands. We express our most profound respect for and gratitude toward these original and current caretakers of the region. As a public health agency, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in public health programs and policies. We pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.
Benefits of Working for DOH
Washington is America's Top State, according to U.S. News (2021), and provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We also offer the following:
- A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for many positions.
- Growth and development opportunities.
- A wellness program that offers education, access to healthy food, and fitness classes.
- Opportunities to serve your community through meaningful work.
- A commitment to diversity and inclusion that fosters an inclusive environment encouraging all employees to bring their authentic selves to work.
- An Infant at Work Program based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.
- Employee resource groups that provide forums for employees to gather and share ideas about matters that affect their personal and professional lives and support career development.
Duties include
- Performing routine standardized bacteriological testing of water samples for presence of Total and Fecal coliforms.
- Performing routine testing of drinking water using various standardized methods for presence of Total and Fecal coliforms including specific test methods for E. coli and other waterborne microorganisms.
- Performing testing on environmental swab and water samples for the presence of Legionella.
- Performing sample kit prep for SARS-CoV-2, Legionella and other types of sample analysis.
- Receiving mail, packages, and specimens. Delivering incoming specimens to appropriate laboratory for processing.
- Performing accessioning of laboratory samples using PHL LIMS and RedCap.
- Performing preventative maintenance including cleaning of all equipment in the water microbiology laboratory.
Who we’re looking for
Our ideal candidate has a driving passion for the work, brings humility to their job and interactions, and understands how their actions affect others. They see the needs and objectives of others and take them into account while achieving their objectives, and they adapt their approach and expectations accordingly. Our ideal candidate is outward even when confronted with others who are not open or collaborative. They demonstrate resilience to model outward behaviors even when stressed or tired.
Required Qualifications
- Option 1: Six (6) or more months of work experience performing microbiological, chemical, clinical, or public health testing or surveillance.
Option 2: One (1) or more quarters/semesters of coursework and laboratory work performing microbiological, chemical, clinical, or public health testing or surveillance.
Required Competencies:
- Knowledge of fundamental principles of microbiology and molecular microbiology and accreditation requirements for the work to be performed.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude with molecular workflows.
- Excellent bench and analytical chemistry skills with the ability to produce accurate and defensible results.
- Ability to effectively use desktop computer applications (Word processors, Spreadsheets, database applications).
- Ability to present technical information clearly, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to effectively use laboratory instruments and related control and data analysis software.
- Good mathematics skills with ability to solve algebraic problems.
- Ability to balance quality of work with meeting deadlines for both rountine work and special projects.
- Reliable team member; maintains an open, approachable manner, treats others fairly and respectfully.
- Seeks to resolve problems and disagreements constructively, focusing on the situation, facts and behaviors, rather than generalities about the people involved.
- Values contributions and accomplishments of others.
- Maintains a safe and professional work environment.
- Contributes to an environment of learning about, valuing, encouraging, and supporting differences.
- Brings personnel issues to the supervisor in a timely fashion.
Desired Qualifications
- An associate degree or higher in laboratory science, biology, microbiology, chemistry, other health-related discipline, or a closely allied field.
- Two (2) or more years of laboratory work experience.
- Demonstrated experience in the following:
- Receiving and tracking samples and/or materials into inventory.
- Working with blood-borne pathogens, chemical hygiene, and general laboratory safety.
- Maintaining electronic and hard copy files.
Application Process
Intrigued? Click "Apply" to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:
A cover letter (without any personal pictures), describing how you meet the qualifications and why you are interested in this position.- A current resume (without any personal pictures).
- Three (3) or more professional references, to be listed in your profile under the references section which includes at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) someone you have supervised or led.
Please do not attach any letters of recommendation or other documents not requested above.
Important Note: Do not attach documents that contain a photo or private information (social security number, year of birth, transcripts, etc.) or documents that are password protected. These documents will not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. Please remove or cover any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers and year of birth.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer. DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful. We prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability.
This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions
All employees engaging in work for the Department of Health are required to be fully vaccinated before their hire date.
Proof of vaccination will be verified by the Office of Human Resources after an employment offer has been extended.
This position requires an onsite/in-person presence. I understand that a medical or religious exemption to the vaccine requirement cannot be accommodated at this time. Please reach out to HR@doh.wa.gov if you have any questions.
With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:
Legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle or provide alternative transportation.- Work Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., but willing to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs.
- Occasionally work more than 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends.
- Work onsite in the lab due to the nature of work/duties.
- Perform colorimetric testing.
- Work in a biological safety cabinet, instrument control terminal, chemical fume hood, Laminar flow hood, or biological safety cabinet, with proper training.
- Work at a shared desk and computer space, when required.
- Occasionally pickup and deliver using state vehicle.
- Work safely with hazardous chemicals such as acids, bases, radioactive materials, organic substances, and microorganisms.
- Receive vaccinations due to potential exposure to certain microorganisms/agents within the laboratory.
- Undergo a medical evaluation for use of respirator, and with training wear a respirator.
- Safely handle pressurized and liquefied gas, with proper training.
- Occasionally work in the field in potentially hazardous conditions.
- Work in a standing position for extended periods of time.
If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact Danielle Dahm at (360) 485-2562, Danielle.Dahm@doh.wa.gov, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).
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Supplemental Information
Salary Note: The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the duty station of these positions being located in King County.
This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
Only applicants who follow the directions and complete the Application Process in-full will have their responses reviewed for consideration.
Education and experience selected, listed and/or detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable on the detailed applicant profile submitted.
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