Food Laboratory Specialist 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS) - Microbiology Department

About the role

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Food Laboratory Specialist 1 or Trainee to work in the Microbiology Department in Albany. The position is a full-time, 37.5-hour per week position based in Albany, NY.

Duties Description

• Receives and prepares samples for microbiological testing and analysis, following proper laboratory protocols related to handling, labeling, and storage;
• Performs laboratory testing methods;
• Calibrates instrumentation to establish and demonstrate appropriate conditions for a particular analysis;
• Operates complex laboratory equipment, instrumentation and electronic data processing and computer equipment;
• Analyzes test results and prepares summaries and reports of analyses to document findings, observations, and results;
• Contributes towards method development, process improvement, and/or investigations into new techniques, methods, and instrumentation.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.
• Preferred Qualifications: Previous microbiology lab-related experience or a degree in microbiology is preferred.

Benefits

• A comprehensive and valuable benefits package including cost-effective health insurance options, fully covered dental and vision care, participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan, and ample paid time off.
• Additional benefits include the Deferred Compensation Plan, Flex Spending Account, and NY's 529 College Savings Program.

Pay

• The starting salary for the Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 is $53,764/year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. This position requires the completion of a two-year traineeship.
• After successful completion of the first year of the traineeship, the appointee will advance without further examination to the Trainee 2 level SG-16 (starting salary of $59,994).
• Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Food Laboratory Specialist 1, SG-18 (starting salary of $66,951) without further examination.

Schedule

The position is a full-time, 37.5-hour per week position working Monday-Friday.