Microbiology Intern

Microbiology Summer Intern

Come join the Tillamook Team, one of the fastest-growing dairy brands in the US, where we Play to Win to create over 200 dairy products in 6 different categories: cheese, ice cream, yogurt, sour cream, butter, and cream cheese. Our Uncompromising Quality has led us to become the #1 Cheddar, #2 Cream Cheese and #3 Family Size Ice Cream brand, but we're not stopping there. We're loading up for our best years to come and want you to join us.

As a farmer-owned cooperative since 1909, we know that being Good Stewards for our stakeholders and doing a little extra always pays off. We're looking for team members with a One Team and Genuine Care mindset who are inspired to share the delight of the Tillamook brand with each other and others every day.

About the TCCA Summer Intern Program:

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA)'s Summer Internship Program is a 10 to 12-week program for graduate and undergraduate students to join the Tillamook team to connect to our 115-year-old heritage. Our interns play a significant role in solving real-world business challenges and enjoy bites of our ice cream, cheese and beloved dairy products every step of the way. As a farmer-owned cooperative, we invite interns to visit the farms of our farmer-owners so they can see what cow care, environmental stewardship and the daily operations of a dairy farm look like, up close.  In addition to the farm tour, we host multiple enriching experiences throughout the duration of the program, that include being an honorary Tillamook taste bud for the day with our immersive cheese and ice cream tastings, "college-inspired" cooking class with our executive chef, resume & interview workshop, sales market tours and so much more!

This role is based out of the Tillamook Plant.

The Microbiology Intern project will support efforts to increase producer sample testing through the effective use of current programs and assets. By expanding testing participation, we can deliver greater value to our producers through earlier identification of mastitis infections, improved herd health management, and reduced disease prevalence. This work aligns with our commitment to operational excellence and brand protection by helping ensure a high-quality milk supply while fostering stronger partnerships with our producer community.

The application window will be open until the position is filled or until we reach our cap of 100 applicants. We will review applications and move selected candidates through our interview process with the goal of having all interns identified no later than the end of the year.

What you will do:

The intern's daily work outside of their specific project will be learning all testing in the microbiology laboratory. This includes cheese, ice cream, whey powder pathogen testing, environmental swab testing, farm sample PCR and traditional plating, and data entry into LIMS.

The microbiology intern will have a focus on Tillamook producer farm testing; focus to be set on one or more of the following:

• Improve Farm PCR reagent tracking

• Create a dashboard for all farms that can be used to quickly identify mastitis trends

• Build custom primer probe setup for Mastitis

• Develop additional training materials for the Micro Lab

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Education level: Any undergrad or Graduate student that is currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program and not due to graduate the semester prior to the internship.

• Preferred fields of study: Microbiology, Food Science, Biotech

• Ability to operate with moderate supervision, hands-on experience with microbiology plating and aseptic technique, experience with PCR preferred, intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, and Excel), math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).

We are committed to creating a diverse culture and inclusive conditions where all employees are heard, valued and feel a sense of belonging. We rely on different perspectives, thoughts, backgrounds and cultures to inform our work, to help us be better as a brand and as an employer and to fuel our success. We are seeking talent from a wide range of diversity, perspectives, and backgrounds to join our exceptional organization and help us build our future.

Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) is a Drug-Free Workplace. EEO/AA

TCCA prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability status (including those related to pregnancy and childbirth), protected veteran status, membership/non-membership in a labor organization, or any other characteristic protected by law.