Pathogen Technician

National Beef of Dodge City, Kansas is seeking a qualified professional to fill the position of Pathogen Technician. This is an on‑site, safety‑sensitive role in a caring and supportive environment.

Benefits

• Family‑friendly health, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Employee meat purchase program

Responsibilities

• Follow laboratory management instructions on project methodology
• Ensure correctness and accuracy of information presented to the Food Safety Center on samples
• Record sample and chain‑of‑custody differences in the appropriate discrepancy logbook
• Perform tasks efficiently with focus on speed, accuracy, and high‑quality standards
• Run tests as specified by National Beef and directed by laboratory management
• Input all data from received samples into the electronic database system
• Print and complete required paperwork for samples received during shift
• Follow all policies, procedures, and protocols approved by upper management for sample setup
• Read test results on all analyzed samples
• Participate in the dual‑check program by verifying another technician’s paperwork before submission
• Assist the inventory clerk with receiving supplies, recording data in receiving logbooks, and stocking
• Inspect received supplies, noting condition, lot numbers, and expiration dates in the supply usage log
• Monitor and record temperatures for incubators, refrigerators, and freezers on log sheets
• Enter results, print completed reports, and issue them to appropriate customers
• Implement procedure modifications as outlined by laboratory management
• Direct questions concerning reports to laboratory management staff
• Complete media growth and sterility quality‑assurance controls
• Maintain adequate levels of testing supplies and complete supply re‑order logs
• Perform daily and weekly housekeeping duties and document them on log sheets
• Utilize available time to cross‑train in other laboratory areas
• Assist other laboratory technicians with day‑to‑day duties as needed
• Maintain accurate records for quality‑system traceability
• Ensure all decontamination steps for completed samples are performed
• Conduct environmental quality‑assurance checks
• Carry out testing as outlined by laboratory management for pending results determined by other team members
• Perform any other duties assigned by FSCML management staff

Qualifications

• Good written and oral communication skills in English
• Self‑starter who works well as a team player
• Ability to multitask and handle “getting dirty” work
• Excellent organizational skills
• Previous laboratory experience or science‑related coursework (credentials/college coursework required)
• Strong customer‑service skills with all levels of personnel
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook/email)
• Schedule flexibility, including willingness to work additional hours and weekends as needed
• Willingness to be cross‑trained in many facets of laboratory work
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; no visa sponsorship available

Schedule

Flexible schedule with the possibility of additional hours and weekend work as needed.

Company Overview

National Beef is a leader in producing fresh, chilled, and further‑processed beef products for customers in the U.S. and worldwide. The company operates production, packaging, and hide‑tanning facilities across the country and strives to be the preferred employer in each community it serves. National Beef is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity.