Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory Manager

This is a full-time (100% FTE), permanent, overtime-eligible position located at the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Puyallup.

About the role

The Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory Manager serves as a technical supervisor for the Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory. Primary duties include communicating with veterinarians, regulatory agencies, poultry producers, bird owners, food industry clients, and other stakeholders regarding scheduling testing and sample submission. The manager directs, controls, and coordinates sample flow and personnel efforts within the laboratory, participates in operational and budget planning, and is responsible for all laboratory policies, including Quality Assurance/Quality Control. The role involves developing and maintaining testing, information, and reporting systems, supervising laboratory staff, and representing the faculty member in charge of the section as required.

The scientific manager is expected to lead the adoption of new procedures, tests, and services for WADDL clients in avian health, poultry disease diagnostics, and food safety testing, supporting both diagnostic and research activities. Eligibility for and understanding of BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines is required.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with veterinarians, regulatory agencies, poultry producers, bird owners, food industry clients, and other stakeholders regarding testing and sample submission.
• Direct, control, and coordinate sample flow through the laboratory.
• Supervise and coordinate efforts of laboratory personnel.
• Participate in short- and long-term operational and budget planning.
• Develop and enforce laboratory policies, including Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of testing, information, and reporting systems.
• Supervise laboratory staff and provide assistance to the faculty member in charge of the section.
• Lead the adoption of new procedures, tests, and services for avian health, poultry disease diagnostics, and food safety testing.
• Ensure compliance with BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines.
• Support diagnostic and research activities related to avian health and food safety.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, biochemistry, zoology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Physical eligibility for working in a BSL-2 laboratory environment and compliance with applicable biosafety requirements.
• Experience in avian diagnostics, veterinary diagnostic laboratory operations, poultry health, food safety testing, or a closely related field.
• Experience in an Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory, veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or related accredited laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with avian disease diagnostics, poultry health programs, food safety testing, and applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Experience with laboratory Quality Management Systems, AAVLD accreditation standards, SOP development, training programs, audits, and corrective action processes.
• Demonstrated interest in continuous improvement, emerging diagnostic technologies, avian health, food safety, and diagnostic assay development.
• Experience supervising laboratory personnel and managing laboratory operations, budgets, and workflow processes.
• Experience with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual.
• Experience with a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Experience with zoonotic pathogens in a laboratory environment.

Pay

Monthly salary range: $5,337.47 - $8,175.11. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance for employees and dependents.
• Retirement and deferred compensation plans.
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Employee tuition waiver.