Laboratory Technician 2 Microbiology

What We Do:

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 19 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio's farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state's top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio's 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans. The Molecular Diagnostics & Sequencing section performs PCR-based assays and DNA sequencing to detect, identify, and characterize infectious agents in animal specimens.

What You'll Do:

No ag background, no problem! You'll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

This position is responsible for:

• Prepares samples and specimens for testing and independently conducts basic/routine laboratory test procedures (i.e., reagents are ready to mix, prepares laboratory media and reagents as instructed in Media Preparation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), sample preparation and enrichment of samples, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and/or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) screening of samples for bacterial pathogens following Consumer Protection Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (CPL SOPs)

• Making sure all testing procedures are outlined in a step-by-step manner and test systems are visually evaluated, with all possible results being previously defined as to how they will look and are to be interpreted)

• For the General Microbiology and Dairy laboratory to support analysis of samples from the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) internal division clients and external clients

• Assists microbiologists in the laboratory quality control program in performing initiation of quality control testing on all laboratory prepared media

• Assists microbiologists in the preventative maintenance program as per scheduled

• Maintains proper documentation practices of critical laboratory equipment

• Assists microbiologists in the inventory of laboratory supplies and ordering/receiving of such supplies

• Supports laboratory compliance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 standards by adhering to internal SOPs

• Decontaminates infectious waste in accordance with departmental SOP's & properly disposes of all autoclaved waste

• Assists in cleaning all glassware & media utensils required in the laboratory

• Assists in the laboratory quality control program in performing initiation of quality control testing on all laboratory prepared media

• Assist in the preventive maintenance program as scheduled along with documentation (e.g.: cleaning of incubators, refrigerators, freezers, monthly balance checks)

• Assists in inventory of laboratory supplies & ordering /receiving of such supplies

• Notifies the supervisor as to the need to order supplies

• Assists with data entry into the laboratory information management system (LIMS) & assists in filing of documents & laboratory data worksheets

• Cleans & maintains lab equipment, instruments & laboratory area (e.g.: operates automatic dishwasher, hand washing of laboratory glassware, cleans sinks, benches & other laboratory areas)

• Testifies at hearings concerning test procedures & results

• Confers with appropriate staff regarding positive test results

• Maintains all necessary records of examination, tests & quality control procedures

• Maintains records of all preventative maintenance performed

• Participates in laboratory certification & check sample programs

• Performs other duties as assigned

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

What's in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.

Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee's salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Maternity Benefits

• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:

o Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.

o Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).

o Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.

o Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.

o Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.

• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

Formal education in arithmetic that included fractions, decimals & percentages & reading, writing & speaking English; 3 courses in high school science (e.g., biology, chemistry, geology, microbiology) which included laboratory testing & use & maintenance of laboratory equipment or 12 months experience in science laboratory preparing specimens & samples for testing, preparing reagents &/or conducting basic/routine laboratory tests.

• Or 12 months experience as Laboratory Technician 1, 86111.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.