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175940

AGRICULTURAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST 1

TS309     $40,830 - $73,486
Creation Date: 06/26/2023
Change Date: 01/01/2025

FUNCTION OF WORK:
To perform scientific testing and analysis in an agricultural laboratory.
LEVEL OF WORK:
Entry
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Close from an Agricultural Laboratory Scientist Supervisor. Other reporting relationships may be approved by SCS.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.
JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Agricultural Laboratory Scientist 2 by the absence of experienced-level scientific testing and analysis.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
CORE COMPETENCIES HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BY STATE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THIS JOB TITLE. MORE INFORMATION ON THE SCS COMPETENCY MODEL CAN BE FOUND HERE.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:
EXAMPLES BELOW ARE A BRIEF SAMPLE OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. NOT ALL POSSIBLE TASKS ARE INCLUDED.

Trains in performing routine non-complex procedures in accordance with modern laboratory methods and procedures such as those approved by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC), the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Learns to perform work in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) used by the laboratory.

Learns the process of instrument start-up and the calibration of laboratory equipment and/or scientific instrumentation for use in conducting analyses and testing.

Cleans and maintains laboratory equipment and supplies according to prescribed guidelines to prevent contamination between tests.

Participates in the preventative and the routine maintenance of equipment and apparatus used in laboratory work.

Maintains a laboratory log book.

Trains in utilizing proper precautions when working with bacteria, pesticides, and potentially pathogenic viruses through personal protective equipment and other necessary equipment.

Performs mathematical calculations to convert raw data to final test results.

Performs basic chemical testing and analyses.

Identifies appropriate uncertainty components for Mass Echelon III and Volume Echelon II calibrations.

Ensures the efficient output, documentation, and communication of test results.

Assists with chemical and microbiological laboratory analyses.

Learns to prepare the necessary standard solutions and reagents required for laboratory operations.

Prepares laboratory samples and specimens for testing and/or analyses.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field; OR

A bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

SUBSTITUTION FOR SEED LABORATORY ONLY:
The possession of a certification in seed germination/purity by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) or Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST) will substitute for the required college training.