Laboratory Scientist 1 Bacteriology

About the Role

The Ohio Department of Agriculture offers a unique opportunity to learn about agriculture from top experts dedicated to a cleaner, safer, and better Ohio—no prior agricultural background required.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine diagnostic assays within the Animal Disease & Diagnostic Laboratory, including processing clinical specimens for bacterial and fungal culture and organism identification using conventional microbiological techniques and molecular methods.
• Maintain proper culture environments to support optimal microbial growth.
• Assist veterinary microbiologists in advanced diagnostic workflows.
• Establish definitive organism identification through traditional testing and advanced methodologies.
• Dispose of materials in accordance with established decontamination and biosafety procedures.
• Conduct quality control procedures as described in laboratory protocols for all assigned tests and prepare reagents and quality-control materials.
• Provide results to appropriate individuals following agency-established guidelines.
• Monitor equipment performance, diagnose malfunctions, perform routine maintenance, troubleshoot, and repair equipment as needed; determine when vendor assistance is required.
• Utilize computer systems (including hardware, software, and the agency’s LIMS) for accurate data entry, tracking, management, and reporting of diagnostic data.
• Update and maintain work-related documentation.
• Effectively plan and organize workflow.
• Clean and maintain workspace.
• Track and order supplies.
• Draft standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Maintain in-house control samples and reference materials.
• Preserve isolates and organisms for long-term storage.
• Record quality-control data and prepare corresponding control charts.
• Identify and report existing or emerging issues or trends based on control-chart performance to the supervisor.
• Assist bacteriologists in developing and/or validating new diagnostic assays.
• Under the direction of higher-level scientists, assist in research for new assay development/validation, drafting scientific reports, and SOPs.
• Perform additional related duties across other laboratory sections as assigned.

Requirements

• 30 months of pertinent laboratory experience commensurate with job duties as outlined in the approved position description, or
• Completion of an associate degree in a biological, chemical, natural, or physical science plus 12 months of pertinent laboratory experience, or
• Completion of undergraduate core coursework in a biological, chemical, natural, or physical science, or
• Equivalent of the minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Benefits

Eligible full-time and part-time employees receive a variety of quality, competitive benefits.

• Medical Coverage: Affordable and competitive medical benefits through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
• 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): Employees contribute 10% of their salary, while the employer contributes 14%. Learn more.
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary 457(b) retirement savings plan. Learn more.
• Maternity Benefits: Expanded maternity healthcare benefits for employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO or Ohio Med NN (narrow network) plans. Services covered at 100% when using network providers include:
  • Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.
  • Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).
  • Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
  • Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.
  • Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.
  • Medications prescribed for antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression).

  Prescription drugs directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay.

Pay

Compensation ranges from $24.88 to $31.47 per hour, based on qualifications. Annual salary range: $51,750 - $65,458.

Schedule

Full-time position with work hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

Work Location

Bromfield Building, Reynoldsburg, Ohio (Licking County).

Agency Overview

Agriculture is Ohio’s leading industry, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) safeguards plants, animals, and natural resources while supporting farmers. Ohio ranks first in Swiss cheese production, third in egg production, and fifth in soybean production nationally.

ODA’s 158-acre campus in Reynoldsburg offers free parking and frequent food trucks. The agency’s 19 divisions ensure food safety, protect farmland, improve soil and water quality, and oversee county fairs and amusement ride inspections. ODA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and building a workforce that values respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.